Rock ‘n’ Roll Trivia
Bachman-Turner Overdrive changes over the years
by John Robinson
Q: Whatever happened to Bachman-Turner Overdrive? I always liked their music.
A: Here’s a short BTO bio: After Randy Bachman left The Guess Who in 1970, he formed the Canadian rock band Brave Belt with Chad Allan, who was The Guess Who’s original lead vocalist before Burton Cummings. Keith Emerson, formerly of The Nice, was to be a member but an illness forced him to drop out — a year later Emerson showed up as part of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. After getting their lineup, Bachman changed the name of the band to Bachman-Turner Overdrive, named after himself, member Fred Turner and the trucker magazine Overdrive. Bachman left the group in 1977, did a short solo stint and formed another band, Ironhorse, who nabbed two chart singles: “Sweet Lui-Louise” (1979) and “What’s Your Hurry Darlin'” (1980). BTO split up in 1979 but Bachman reunited them in 1980; various members came and went. Another group was formed by former members, causing lawsuits: Bachman’s band continued to tour as Bachman-Turner Overdrive while the splinter band toured as BTO. Bachman also recorded with artist conglomerations like Randy Bachman’s Rock Thing, Bachman Cummings and Bachman & Turner. Since leaving BTO, Randy has recorded more than 16 solo albums. By the way, Randy pronounces his last name as BACKman, not BOCKman, and accepts the fact that people pronounce the band name as BOCKman-Turner Overdrive.
Q: Did the guy who murdered John Lennon have a hit list? I heard he had other celebrities in mind.
A: Mark David Chapman didn’t have a “hit list” but he’s on record as telling Bellevue psychiatrists he thought about murdering other celebrities, including Elizabeth Taylor, Frank Sinatra, George C. Scott, Jackie Kennedy and Johnny Carson. On Dec. 8, 1980, in New York City, a few hours after being photographed getting Lennon’s autograph, Chapman shot his idol, John Lennon. In August 1981, Chapman (diagnosed as delusional and probably psychotic) pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 20 years-to-life in prison. During the first few months of incarceration, Chapman was beaten by fellow inmates, some who tried to kill him with scissors and other homemade weapons. He currently is incarcerated at the Wende Correctional Facility in Alden, New York. He has been denied parole time and time again. On March 7, 2024, Chapman had another hearing and was denied parole for the 13th time.
Q: I haven’t seen anything in your column about the Raspberries so I’m asking, since they were one of my favorites from the ’70s.
A: The Raspberries began as two ’60s Cleveland bands: The Choir and Cyrus Erie. The Choir had a No. 1 single in Cleveland titled “It’s Cold Outside,” which peaked at No. 68 nationally in 1967 and became a garage band favorite. Members of The Choir included Wally Bryson, Dave Smalley and Jim Bonfanti, who all became members of the Raspberries. The fourth member — who would become the lead vocalist — was Eric Carmen, leader of Cyrus Erie. To make things brief, Bryson quit The Choir and joined Cyrus Erie. Bryson soon quit the band, causing Cyrus Erie to break up. Various members had projects for a couple of years until Carmen, Bonfanti, Bryson and John Aleksic formed the Raspberries around 1970. But Aleksic quit too soon. After the Raspberries replaced Aleksic with Smalley (just back from Vietnam), they recorded a demo tape, which sent them on their way as hitmakers for Capitol Records. Their first huge hit was 1972’s “Go All The Way,” with an intro based on the chord formation of The Who’s “The Kids Are Alright.”
Q: Who had the bigger hit with “Kansas City”? The Beatles or Wilbert Harrison?
A: Wilbert Harrison. He took it to No. 1 in 1959. The Beatles’ version (which was a medley with Little Richard’s “Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey”) was never released as a single in America. However, Capitol of Canada did release it but it failed to make the U.S. charts. “Kansas City” (original title, “K.C. Lovin'”) also hit the charts in 1959 for Rocky Olson (No. 60), Hank Ballard (No. 72) and Little Richard (No. 95); in 1964 for Trini Lopez (No. 23) and in 1967 for James Brown (No. 55).
Q: Didn’t someone else have a hit with the Bread song “Everything I Own”?
A: Not in America, but it was a No. 1 hit in England for two stars: Ken Boothe (in 1974) and Boy George (in 1987). Bread member David Gates wrote the song in memory of his father. “Everything I Own” was originally an American hit for Bread in 1972.
John Robinson grew up in Stockbridge and graduated from Stockbridge High School in 1969.
He’s been an author, TV host, columnist, actor, producer, emcee and radio broadcaster. Robinson’s favorite music of all time includes surf, psychedelia, garage bands, Motown and just plain ol’ good-time rock ‘n’ roll. To read more rock ‘n’ roll trivia, “Paranormal Michigan” stories, and lots more, check out Robinson’s books on his author page at facebook.com/johnrobinsonauthor.
