Classic rock legends Bachman-Turner Overdrive have unveiled “60 Years Ago,” a touching tribute that celebrates “Canada’s home of rock and roll,” as a gesture of gratitude to their hometown for a street dedication.
In a bustling atmosphere filled with camera flashes and enthusiastic fans, Randy Bachman stands in a corner, holding a street sign that reads Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO) in bright white letters against a vivid blue background. The aroma of pierogies topped with butter and fried onions wafts through the air, accompanied by some of BTO’s greatest hits. It truly embodies the spirit of Winnipeg.
These elements are woven into the rich cultural tapestry of the city that Bachman affectionately describes as “Canada’s home of rock and roll.” He is one of its key figures. As the founder of BTO, the iconic musician played a pivotal role in sharing the band’s heartfelt, blue-collar classic rock with audiences worldwide, with over 40 million albums sold.
Currently, as part of a mini-homecoming during their 22-date Back in Overdrive tour, the band is being honored with a street-naming ceremony just a few blocks north of Portage and Main. This historic Winnipeg intersection is frequently mentioned in BTO lyrics, including in their first new track in 25 years, “60 Years Ago.” (Proceeds from the song will support The Bridge to Nowhere charity bike ride, which aids efforts to combat chronic homelessness in the city.)
“60 years ago / so damned cold and so much snow / 60 years ago / we stayed inside and rocked and rolled.” The chorus reverberates off the concrete buildings and into the traffic that turns onto the Disraeli Bridge, now marked by that blue and white street sign.
Bachman pulls a black beanie down over his tufts of white hair, tucks his fingers into the sleeves of his jacket, and taps his feet to the rhythm. Co-written with his son Tal during the pandemic, “60 Years Ago” features a guitar solo by fellow Winnipeg native Neil Young and utilizes AI technology to revive Fred Turner’s powerful vocals (Turner retired from touring due to health issues in 2018).
“It’s our tribute to Winnipeg, where we spent our teenage years in the Sixties, a period when the city’s music scene was thriving. It was the Liverpool of North America, a melting pot of incredible talents,” stated Bachman, who achieved fame with another Winnipeg band, The Guess Who.
The song is likely to be included in an album that the father-son duo plans to release, tentatively titled Shadows of Yesterday. However, they opted to release it now as a token of appreciation to their hometown for acknowledging BTO’s role in placing Winnipeg on the international music map with hits like “Let It Ride,” “You Ain’t See Nothin’ Yet,” and “Takin’ Care of Business.”
Bachman began establishing his reputation as a skilled guitarist and vocalist with The Guess Who, whose song “American Woman” made history as the first Canadian track to top the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. Yet, in 1970, at the height of their success, he decided to leave the band due to personal conflicts. Three years later, he regrouped with BTO, accompanied by brothers Tim (guitar) and Robbie (drums), along with Fred Turner (bass and vocals). Their other brother, Gary, served as their manager.
“Gary Bachman, Tim, Robbie…,” he began with a noticeable lump in his throat, “they’re gone, but this will endure.”
“When I was a child, I had hope. It was always a dream to achieve this,” remarked Turner about BTO’s success. “How many people see their childhood dreams come true?”
While the loss of the three Bachman brothers could have ended the family’s musical legacy, Bachman brought his daughter-in-law Koko on drums and his son Tal on guitar and vocals to the lineup. Tal had already made his mark in Canadian music with his pop hit, “She’s So High.”
As Bachman reflects on the band’s accomplishments, he credits much of their endurance to studying rock legends like Lennon and McCartney, whose songwriting and musical innovation inspired BTO in their formative years.
At 81, Bachman shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to the BTO tour, he hosts the Vinyl Tap podcast with Tal and is working on finalizing their album.
“It feels wonderful to return with the same songs that were played 10, 20, or 30 years ago, songs you think might fade away,” he reflects. “The experience of bringing together 3,000 or 13,000 people in one place, sharing that collective awareness of everyone singing together is incredible.”
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:: Stream/purchase “60 Years Ago” here ::
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Classic rock band Bachman-Turner Overdrive has released "60 Years Ago," a poignant tribute to "Canada’s home of rock and roll," expressing gratitude to their hometown for a street dedication.
