They are saying death strikes in threes.
And that is definitely the case in the music world, which in only two days lost the guitar god Jeff Beck, Elvis’ daughter Lisa Marie Presley, and now Robbie Bachman, the drummer and co-founder of the classic 70s rock band Turner’s Overdrive.
Bachman’s death at the age of 69 was not immediately announced by his brother and bandmate Randy Bachman.
“One other Sad Departure” – The 79-year-old singer and guitarist of BTO he tweeted Thursday night. “Pounding a beat behind BTO, my little brother Robbie joined mum, dad and brother Gary on the other side. Perhaps Jeff Beck needs a drummer! He was an integral cog in our rock ‘n’ roll machine and together we rocked the world.
Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Robin “Robbie” Bachman began drumming as a baby, and at the age of 18 was recruited by his brother Randy to form the short-lived group Brave Belt, which also included Bachman’s other brother, Tim. guitar and vocals, in addition to vocalist-bassist Fred Turner.
But all 4 went from country-rock to hard rock once they formed Bachman-Turner Overdrive in 1973 and released their debut album. The band recorded a number of hits from the 70s, including “Let it go” “You have not seen anything yet” “Take care of business”, “Hey You” and “Roll on Down the Highway” all remain classic rock radio hits.
Bachman continued to record with BTO – who was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2014 – until 1979’s “Rock n’ Roll Nights” and went into semi-retirement after the band’s final shows in 2004. He’s survived by his wife Chrissy.