Artist Intro / Takin' Care of Business

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning the iconic "Takin' Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive from the album "Flower Power Hour 531," and the Zoo Freaks are surely digging the vibes. This classic rock anthem, released in 1974, has a wild origin story. Randy Bachman, the song’s writer, first penned it as "White Collar Worker" in 1968 while still with The Guess Who, inspired by the hustle of New York City commuters and the Beatles’ "Paperback Writer." But his bandmates rejected it, with Burton Cummings warning it could spark a lawsuit from Lennon and McCartney for sounding too similar. The song sat dormant until 1973 when Bachman, now with BTO, was driving to a gig in Vancouver and heard DJ Daryl Burlingham on C-Fox radio say, “We’re takin’ care of business!” That phrase became the hook when Bachman had to sing a set after Fred Turner lost his voice, improvising over a simple C, B-flat, and F chord progression. The crowd went wild, chanting the phrase, and BTO knew they had a hit, playing it for another ten minutes that night.

Another quirky tale involves the song’s piano part. Legend has it a pizza delivery guy named Norman Durkee suggested the track needed piano and revealed he was a player. The song’s lyrics cleverly contrast the grind of 9-to-5 life with the carefree rockstar lifestyle, resonating with workers and dreamers alike. It climbed to number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, stayed on the charts for 20 weeks, and even inspired Elvis Presley, who adopted “TCB” as his personal motto, with Priscilla Presley noting he heard the song on the radio and made it his logo, now etched on his gravestone.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, after Randy Bachman left The Guess Who in 1970 amid tensions with Burton Cummings, who publicly doubted Bachman’s future in music. Determined to prove him wrong, Bachman formed Brave Belt with his brother Robbie on drums, former Guess Who bandmate Chad Allan, and bassist/vocalist C.F. Turner. After Allan left, Bachman’s brother Tim joined, and the band rebranded as Bachman-Turner Overdrive, inspired by a trucker magazine called Overdrive spotted at a truck stop. Bachman invested his life savings to record their self-titled debut album, which Mercury Records picked up after relentless touring. Their second album, Bachman-Turner Overdrive II, brought them fame with hits like “Let It Ride” and “Takin’ Care of Business.” Despite lineup changes and breakups, BTO’s gritty, blue-collar rock sound made them classic rock staples, selling nearly 30 million albums worldwide.

Fans can connect with Bachman-Turner Overdrive through their official Facebook page, Instagram account, and X profile, where they share tour updates and nostalgic posts. Randy Bachman also engages fans via his personal X account, often reflecting on BTO’s history, like a 2024 post celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Not Fragile.” For Zoo Freaks wanting to dive deeper, fan communities thrive online. The Bachman-Turner Overdrive Fan Group on Facebook is a vibrant spot for gearheads (BTO’s nickname for their fans, inspired by the band’s gear-shaped logo) to share memories and discuss the band’s legacy. Another fan hub, Randy Bachman’s official website, offers insights into his solo work and BTO’s ongoing tours, like the 2025 Back in Overdrive tour with Randy and his son Tal Bachman.