Winnipeg's BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE will be forever known for their huge international Rock hit 'You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet', a song that has probably graced more compilation albums than any other. In Britain the song will be eternally associated with the Harry Enfield 'Smashey & Nicey' DJ comedy sketchs.

The band had existed under the name of BRAVE BELT previously with vocalist / guitarist RANDY BACHMAN, Fred 'C.F.' Turner on bass, Robbie Bachman on drums and GUESS WHO keyboard player Chad Allan. BRAVE BELT released two albums prior to adopting the new title of BACHMAN TURNER OVERDIVE in 1973 as Tim Bachman supplanted Allan.

Randy Bachman's career before BRAVE BELT included membership of GUESS WHO, having originally been titled CHAD ALLEN & THE EXPRESSIONS, and a 1970 solo album 'Axe'. GUESS WHO had scored three Canadian number 1 singles including 'American Woman', a track that would remain in BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE's live set. What was originally intended to be 'Brave Belt III' saw a swift name change to reflect the membership of the band and with a major deal secured with Mercury Records the act became BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE.

As BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE progress into the American charts was eased with a succession of catchy Radio friendly Rock singles. 'Takin' Care Of Business' was a massive radio hit. This activity culminated in the blockbusting 'Not Fragile' number 1 album which spawned 'You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet'. The band had undergone line up changes previous to recording 'Not Fragile' with guitarist Blair Thornton taking entering the fold.

'Not Fragile' soon went multi-platinum and sales of the band's back catalogue took all their previous outings to gold status.

Further hit albums followed but chart placings became steadily lower after 1975's top ten 'Four Wheel Drive' record, the band's last platinum album. The band's music began to veer away from the formulas that had brought them so much success and the 'Head On', which actually featured Rock n' Roll legend LITTLE RICHARD on piano, began to display Jazz Rock leanings.

In 1978 the band abbreviated their name to B.T.O. for the 'Street Action' and live 'Rock n' Roll Nights' albums. The latter saw the band using outside songwriters including a young man yet to make his name BRYAN ADAMS. Bass for these two albums was in the hands of former APRIL WINE man Jim Clench.

The band was put on hold in 1979 as Randy Bachman created IRONHORSE for two albums 'Ironhorse' and 1980's 'Everything Is Grey'. IRONHORSE scored a moderate American hit with 'Sweet Lui-Louise'.

1980 also saw Turner and Clench sessioning on BRYAN ADAMS debut eponymous album.

BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE re-assembled in 1983 with Randy, Tim, Turner and Garry Peterson on drums. The new alliance was to have included Tim and Robbie Bachman but the duo bowed out after arguments regarding Thornton's inclusion. Peterson had performed on Randy's 1970 solo album and been a colleague in GUESS WHO. Another eponymous album was issued the same year on Compleat Records but failed to chart.

The band switched to MCA Records for a live album which included keyboard player Billy Chapman and guitarist Randy Murray. The band was put on ice yet again as Randy Bachman and Turner forged UNION with erstwhile TROOPER / IRONHORSE man Frank Ludwig on vocals for the 'On Strike' album.

The band got back together once more in 1988 for live work with Turner, Randy & Robbie Bachman and Thornton. By 1991 Randy backed out again and Randy Murray was back in the ranks.

A new BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE album emerged in 1996 titled 'Trial By Fire'. The album saw re-recorded classics with new songs including a single cover version of THE ANIMALS 'House Of The Rising Sun'.

Swiss Rock act KROKUS have raided the band catalogue on numerous occasions including covers of 'American Woman' and 'You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet'. American Groove Rocker LENNY KRAVITZ also issued 'American Woman' as a single. In 1999 Canadian Rockers BIG SUGAR cut their version of 'Let It Ride' for their 'Heated' album.

BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE would still be a going concern in early 2000 on the live circuit with Randy Bachman and Fred Turner being immortalized in 'The Simpsons'! The band would still be registering in 2002 as new act ENGLISH TEETH reworked 'Four Wheel Drive' for inclusion on the soundtrack to the Canadian movie 'Fubar's'. The following year British boogie veterans STATUS QUO included their re-work of 'Takin' Care Of Business' on their November 2003 'Riffs' album.