Bachman‑Turner Overdrive: The Story Behind “Taking Care of Business” and the Family Rift

Introduction

“Taking Care of Business” became a worldwide hit for Bachman‑Turner Overdrive (BTO) in 1973, but the song also sparked decades of lawsuits, betrayal, and a brother‑to‑brother feud. The track’s origins, the musicians who shaped it, and the fallout that followed are the focus of this account.

The Song’s Birth and Rise

In 1973, during a Vancouver club run, Fred Turner’s voice failed. Randy Bachman improvised a three‑chord jam, inserting the phrase “Taking care of business” he had heard on the radio. The crowd’s reaction convinced the band to record the piece for their second album, Bachman‑Turner Overdrive 2. The album, released in December 1973, reached number four on the U.S. charts, propelled by FM radio play of “Let It Ride” and “Takin’ Care of Business.” The song’s success made BTO arena‑headliners and cemented the band’s working‑man image.

The Piano Myth and Real Contributor

Bachman later claimed a pizza‑delivery boy supplied the piano line, but the actual pianist was Norman Durkee, a Berklee graduate working as a session musician. Durkee recorded the boogie‑woogie part in a single take, giving the track its distinctive bounce.

Internal Strife and Legal Battles

Randy Bachman’s strict discipline - no drugs or alcohol - clashed with bandmates’ lifestyles. Tim Bachman was dismissed after the second album, and drummer Robbie Bachman later sued Randy over royalties and the use of the band’s name. In 1983, Robbie and guitarist Blair Thornton won the lawsuit, forcing Randy to pay royalties to use the BTO name. The legal disputes, coupled with creative control disputes over the 1976 album Freeways, culminated in Randy’s departure in March 1977. The remaining members continued as BTO, but their commercial success collapsed.

Legacy and Reunion

Despite the turmoil, “Taking Care of Business” remained a staple of classic‑rock radio and was licensed by Office Depot in 1994, a use that highlighted the song’s ironic contrast between its lyrics and the campaign’s message. In 2014, the original lineup performed the song at the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, briefly reconciling the fractured family.

Key Facts

• Randy Bachman, Fred Turner, Robbie Bachman, Tim Bachman, Blair Thornton – core members
• “Taking Care of Business” recorded in 1973, released on Bachman‑Turner Overdrive 2
• Norman Durkee performed the piano part in one take
• Randy Bachman left the band in March 1977; remaining members retained the name
• Office Depot used the song in a 1994 advertising campaign

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Who performed the piano part on “Taking Care of Business”?
A1: The piano part was played by Norman Durkee, a Berklee‑trained session musician, recorded in a single take.

Q2: Why did Randy Bachman leave the band?
A2: Randy left in March 1977 after creative and financial disputes, including control over the band’s direction and the use of its name.

Conclusion

“Taking Care of Business” propelled Bachman‑Turner Overdrive to global fame, yet the song’s success also fueled legal battles and family estrangement. The track’s enduring popularity contrasts sharply with the band’s eventual dissolution, illustrating how commercial triumph can coexist with personal conflict.