BACHMAN, RANDY, 1946-

MUS 219

Randy Bachman fonds. - 1946-1992; (predominantly 1972-1978). - 15.55 linear m. of textual records. - ca. 100 photographs. - 55 audio discs. - 306 audio tape reels. - 37 videocassettes. - 160 films.

Biographical Sketch

A guitarist originally from Winnipeg, Randy Bachman has played in a number of popular music groups. In 1965 he formed The Guess Who, with singer, pianist and guitarist Chad Allan, bass guitarist Jim Kale and drummer Garry Peterson. The same year, just before the departure of Chad Allan, singer and pianist Burton Cummings joined the group. The Guess Who had many hits, and in the late 1960s toured England and the United States. In 1969, sales of the ballad "These Eyes" exceeded one million. Randy Bachman left The Guess Who in 1970 and formed the group Brave Belt with Chad Allan and Bob Bachman (drums). In 1971, singer and bass guitarist Fred Turner joined, and the group produced its second album, Brave Belt II. With the arrival of guitarist Tim Bachman in 1972 and the departure of Chad Allan, the group chose a new name (Bachman-Turner Overdrive) and an aggressive hard-rock style. The group became famous, performing in Canada, the United States, Europe and Japan. Its hits included "Blue Collar", "Let It Ride", "Takin' Care of Business", "You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet", "Hey You" and "My Wheels Won't Turn". In 1977 Randy Bachman resumed his career as a solo guitarist and cut his second solo album, Survivor. The artist returned to the group format in 1979 with the formation of Iron Horse. In 1983, Randy Bachman resumed his musical activities with the group Bachman-Turner Overdrive (BTO).

Scope and Content

The fonds consists of records pertaining to the musical activities of Randy Bachman and the groups The Guess Who, Trooper, Iron Horse, Brave Belt and BTO: accounting records; invoices; accounts receivable; bank statements; receipts; cheque stubs; cancelled cheques; ledgers; financial statements; deposit books; contracts; fees; song files (correspondence, published scores, etc); telegrams; business correspondence; press clippings; tour programmes and itineraries; publicity; posters; schedules; brochures; manuscripts of music and words by Randy Bachman; membership cards; passports; lists of radio hits; scrapbook on Bachman's life and career; studio files; files on various artists; collection of published articles; equipment files; photographs of Randy Bachman and other musicians; sound recordings of Randy Bachman and groups BTO, Brave Belt, Carmel, Cowboys International, The Guess Who, Iron Horse, Screen Idols, Spriggs and Bingle, Trooper and Union; videocassettes and films of Bachman.

Immediate source of acquisition: acquired by donation from Randy Bachman in three accessions (1992-1993).

Restrictions: Written permission is required for access to the financial records.

Finding aids: summary list.

Accruals: further accessions expected.