Let It Ride

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Let It Ride" by Bachman–Turner Overdrive, a classic from their 1973 album Bachman–Turner Overdrive II, and the Zoo Freaks are surely vibing to its gritty rock energy. This song has a wild origin story: while touring in 1973 to support The Doobie Brothers, Randy Bachman and Fred Turner were driving to a gig in New Orleans when their tour van got boxed in by some mischievous truckers on the highway. The truckers slowed to a crawl, messing with the band, and when they all pulled into a truck stop, Bachman and Turner were ready to confront them. But the truckers, one described by Bachman as "a Volkswagen with a head," just laughed and told them to chill and "let it ride." That phrase stuck, and by the time they hit their dressing room in New Orleans, the duo had turned the experience into the song’s core, with its laid-back yet defiant vibe. The track became BTO’s first Top 40 hit in the U.S., peaking at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100, and soared to #3 in Canada.

Another cool tidbit about "Let It Ride" is its guitar riff, which Randy Bachman crafted after being inspired by Antonin Dvorak’s "Piano Concerto in D." He transposed a chord progression from the classical piece to guitar, giving the song its distinctive hook. There’s also been chatter about similarities between this riff and The Doobie Brothers’ "Long Train Runnin’." Bachman once claimed the Doobies, who shared a dressing room with BTO that fateful New Orleans night, might’ve borrowed the riff for their track, since The Captain and Me came out nine months before Bachman–Turner Overdrive II. However, Doobie fans argue BTO might’ve picked up the technique from them backstage. Either way, the riff’s raw power, paired with Fred Turner’s flanged background vocals, made "Let It Ride" a staple on classic rock stations, with fans on Reddit still raving about its heart-pumping energy and danceable groove.

Bachman–Turner Overdrive, or BTO, kicked off in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1973, born from the ashes of Randy Bachman’s earlier band, The Guess Who. After leaving The Guess Who due to creative differences and his Mormon beliefs clashing with the band’s heavy drug use, Bachman was determined to prove his doubters wrong—especially his former bandmate Burton Cummings, who publicly said Randy would never make it. Bachman teamed up with his brothers Robbie and Tim, plus bassist Fred Turner, to form Brave Belt, a short-lived project with ex-Guess Who member Chad Allan. When Allan left, and with Tim stepping in, the group pivoted to a harder rock sound, naming themselves Bachman–Turner Overdrive after spotting the trucker magazine Overdrive at a truck stop. Randy sank his life savings into their self-titled debut album, and Mercury Records signed them on the condition of relentless touring. Their second album, Bachman–Turner Overdrive II, with hits like "Let It Ride" and "Takin’ Care of Business," launched them to stardom, selling over 7 million albums in the 1970s alone.

BTO’s gritty, guitar-heavy sound stood out in an era dominated by soft rock and glam, earning them a loyal fanbase dubbed "gearheads" for the band’s gear-shaped logo. Their music still resonates, with fans connecting on platforms like the official BTO Facebook page and the Bachman-Turner Overdrive Fan Group. You can also follow the band’s updates on Instagram and X, where they share tour dates and legacy content. For deeper dives, check out fan-driven sites like BTO Rocks, which celebrates the band’s history and discography. The Zoo Crew and Zoo Freaks can keep rocking to BTO’s timeless anthems, knowing this Canadian crew built a legacy that’s still rolling down the highway.