That 70s Guy – Retro Review Albums Turning 50 in 2025
Hey folks, it’s me That 70s Guy back with another retro review of albums turning 50 in 2025. For this entry we time machine it back to the fourth studio album Four Wheel Drive from Bachman Turner Overdrive released in May 1975. Hailing from Winnipeg Manitoba Canada, the line up here consisted of the original three, Randy Bachman vocals and guitar, Fred Turner vocals and bass and Robbie Bachman on drums along with Blair Thornton on guitar who replaced Tim Bachman on the previous blockbuster album Not Fragile.
BACHMAN-TURNER OVERDRIVE – Four Wheel Drive – May 1975
Let’s first rewind a couple of years earlier to 1973. One of my favourite pastimes as a kid was going uptown and hanging out in my local record stores. One of them was Canada’s infamous Sam the Record Man. It was not uncommon for me just to go hang out, pour through the record sections, check out the new releases, grab the latest CKOC Top 40 chart and just listen to whatever was playing on the store stereo. This particular day as I was scanning for something new, the music that was playing nice and loud in the store was catching my attention. Song after song I was getting more and more interested. I went to the counter and asked what was playing? The clerk said it was the debut album from a new band called Bachman Turner Overdrive. The one song that really convinced me to buy it on the spot that day was “Don’t Get Yourself in Trouble”. Still a fave monster of a song.
Back then bands spit out albums at a rate of one or two a year, so by 1975 BTO was already on their fourth studio album. This was all happening in those precious years of early teenagerhood and my life was changing by the moment – and with a soundtrack! It was now May “2-4” weekend 1975 and in Canada, also known as the ultimate party camping weekend, the cream of the crop, the gateway to summer. This year I was now 15 and old enough to go with my buddies – adult-free! We ended up at the Norfolk Conservation Area Park near Port Ryerse Ontario on the north shore of Lake Erie. Campfires, drinking underage, chasing camp girls, fighting, shirts/skins football, drinking vodka straight up on the shoreline, swimming, puking and did I mention more drinking? All this while playing out to the songs of the time including huge memories of this album and the song “Hey You” which I remember a pinpoint memory of it playing in the camp store when we went for some supplies. We continued on annually every May 24 weekend but this one always holds a special place in my heart. Wow, so young and so long ago.
Ok before we continue down memory’s lane, let’s give this gem a spin.
Side 1
1. “Four Wheel Drive” – a thundering album opener with that classic riff with Fred’s iconic voice. If you know, you know. An absolute Canadian hard-rocking song!
2. “She’s a Devil” – another lead vocal from Fred. Don’t let that soft beginning fool you as the pounding guitars and traditional BTO sound soon takes over.
3. “Hey You” – still one of my favourite BTO songs to this day. The memories and goosebumps still make me smile. Their only other number 1 song in Canada next to “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet“. Sha la la la forever!
4. “Flat Broke Love” – best known to me for being the flip side of the “Hey You” 45. Back to Turner on lead vocals. A bluesy hard rocking song with a beautiful Bachman solo.
Side 2
1. “She’s Keepin’ Time” – starts side two with a more pop rock (for BTO that is) Randy on vocals song. Flip side of “Quick Change Artist” 45.
2. “Quick Change Artist” – the second radio single which garnered a ton of airplay here locally. Reaching number 13 in Canada, it remains a BTO staple.
3. “Lowland Fling” – as unique of a song as you can get – especially for them. Almost a hillbilly cartoon dance song but man is it heavy. Those duel guitar breaks with a bit of foot peddle action is incredible. Another of my top BTO songs. Just wish it got more love.
4. “Don’t Let the Blues Get You Down“– a rather forgotten song by me and fans but listening again it really is a great song and album closer with a touch of a TCB vibe.
The strange thing about BTO was when I first heard them in 1973 and quite a while after, I never connected the dots that Randy Bachman was the same guy in The Guess Who. Remember, back then info was scarce and being 10 years old I knew those early Guess Who songs but I didn’t know the band members other than Burton Cummings. When I started getting heavily into top 40 music and hearing all the present Guess Who songs, Randy was long gone. Now on the other hand, Brave Belt, the band with Randy, Robbie and Fred preceding BTO I had heard of and had their albums including the 45 of “Dunrobin’s Gone“.
I’ve always been asked or seen various posts and questions about “What was your first concert?” Well aside from some local shows and high school concerts etc. I always say that on August 18th, 1975 at the CNE Grandstand in Toronto was my first biggie. My first in a stadium and my first in the big city was indeed Bachman Turner Overdrive. Along with 23000 people, I was hearing all those great songs and I felt I had made it to the big time. Nothing but up from here and it was the start of a fantastic ride that I am still on.
That ride continued on May 1st, 2025 when I had the chance to see Bachman Turner Overdrive again. Barring it was only Randy but billed as BTO. If you had a crystal ball back in August 75 and I looked ahead at 81-year-old Bachman still playing live and awesome I would never have believed you. Sure, I have seen Randy solo, Bachman-Turner only, and Bachman–Cummings in between, but it’s always magical air guitaring to those BTO songs however they are billed.
After Four Wheel Drive, BTO put out a couple more good albums with Head On and Freeways but soon after, line-up changes and lack of hits paid its toll – at least for me as a die-hard. But they remain one of my all-time favourite Canadian rock bands!
My Top 10 BTO Songs of All Time
1. Let it Ride
2. Second Hand
3. Don’t Get Yourself in Trouble
4. Life Still Goes On (I’m Lonely)
5. Hey You
6. Rock is My Life and This is My Song
7. Welcome Home
8. Lowland Fling
9. You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
10. Stay Awake All Night
So, there you have it my friends, an absolute life changer gem turning 50. Did I say 50? WOW! Stay tuned right here for the next installment of That 70’s Guy – Retro Review Albums Turning 50 in 2025.
Brian
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