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Randy Bachman
Randy Bachman
Randy Bachman
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Bachman learned to play music before he learned
to read and write. The kid from North end Winnipeg took up
the violin at four, knowing his destiny was to be a musician.
He grew up listening to Elvis Presley and British rock 'n
rollers, and copied the guitar riffs of his musical mentor,
the legendary Lenny Breau. With Chad Allen and the Silvertones,
Bachman played Beatles songs and became the toast of the Winnipeg
club scene. But the big break came when the band recorded
"Shakin' All Over" - it climbed to the top of the
charts and the Silvertones became The Guess Who. Eventually,
Bachman would hire a new lead singer for the group - a 17-year-old
Winnipegger named Burton Cummings. The Guess Who would go
on to virtually own the pop charts with an unprecedented run
of hit singles including These Eyes, Laughing, No Time, Undun
and American Woman. But at the pinnacle of their success,
Randy Bachman just walked away.
Bachman's Mormon beliefs conflicted with the lifestyle of
sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. And, as Burton Cummings admits,
rivalry between the two band members turned them into bitter
enemies for a time. Relentless touring also took a toll on
Bachman's personal life - he would later endure an acrimonious
divorce and painful custody battle that left him demoralized
and broke. Yet like the proverbial phoenix, Bachman rose again
- outstripping The Guess Who with the phenomenal success of
Bachman Turner Overdrive. He finally left the group for a
solo career in 1978. Today, at 60, he's mended some fences,
enjoys his family life and has embarked on a new musical direction
with the release of a jazz CD.
Original Air Date - January 20, 2004
Links
Randy
Bachman Web site
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