Randy Bachman is a Canadian rock guitarist, singer and songwriter from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Born in 1943, he first comes to prominence as a member of The Guess Who, where he helps establish the band’s early chart presence in 1965 with “Shakin’ All Over”.

Career

Bachman performs and writes with The Guess Who during its most successful period, sharing in the band’s run of million-selling singles and its string of hits including “These Eyes”, “Laughing”, “Undun”, “No Time”, “No Sugar Tonight” and “American Woman”. By 1970, the group sells more records than the rest of the Canadian recording industry to that point and outsells the Beatles in Canada that year. Bachman leaves the band while it is at the height of its success, citing health concerns and a wish for a different lifestyle and more time with his family.

He then forms Brave Belt, a country rock group that develops into Bachman-Turner Overdrive. With that band he helps create another major run of rock hits, including “Let It Ride”, “Roll on Down the Highway”, “Takin’ Care of Business” and “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet”. The last of these reaches number one in more than 20 countries.

Solo work, production and labels

Bachman also releases solo albums and works as a producer and songwriter for other artists. His production and writing work with Canadian rock band Trooper leads to gold and platinum records in the 1970s. His songs are recorded by a wide range of other artists, including Lenny Kravitz, who records “American Woman”.

He founds Guitarchives Music, a jazz guitar label devoted to archival guitar recordings, including material associated with his early mentor Lenny Breau. He also founds Ranbach Music, which issues archival Guess Who recordings and other material not previously released on CD. His listed labels also include Linus Entertainment.

Legacy and recognition

Bachman’s music appears in television, film and commercial soundtracks, including use in Seinfeld, The Simpsons, American Beauty and Austin Powers 2. He also appears as an animated character on The Simpsons and performs with the house band on The Late Show with David Letterman. He is entered in the Guinness Book of World Records for a large guitar jam on “Takin’ Care of Business” involving 3,800 guitarists.

His honours include the Order of Manitoba and the Order of Canada. He is described as continuing to work as a songwriter, session player and solo artist, and his career includes over 120 gold and platinum awards and more than 40 million records sold.

Associated acts

His wider career includes work with Chad Allan & The Expressions, Ironhorse, Bachman & Turner and Bachman & Bachman.