Winnipeg's rock history put on the map as road gets honorary Bachman-Turner Overdrive name
A stretch of Winnipeg's Disraeli Freeway has been given an honorary name to celebrate an iconic Canadian band that helped put Winnipeg on the rock 'n' roll map.
The southernmost portion of street, running off Main Street, was officially given the commemorative name Bachman-Turner Overdrive during an unveiling ceremony on Friday morning.
Last year, city council's property committee passed a motion by Mynarski Coun. Ross Eadie asking for the renaming in honour of the band's contributions to the music industry, and frontman Randy Bachman's work "putting Winnipeg on the map during his continuing career."
As the city officially put up the signs with the new honorary name on an unseasonably cold morning, the celebrated guitarist offered thanks for "the very appropriate weather."
"It's the reason I left Winnipeg," said Bachman, laughing.
"But I love coming back.… It was great growing up here. Rock 'n' roll was great," said Bachman, who rose to fame in the 1960s as the guitarist with another famed Winnipeg band, The Guess Who, before going on to form Bachman-Turner Overdrive in the city in 1973 with his brothers, Robbie and Tim Bachman, along with Fred Turner. Another Bachman brother, Gary, managed the band in its early days.
The band, inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2014, produced hits such as Takin' Care of Business and You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet.
As he thanked the city for the honorary renaming, Randy Bachman paid tribute to his brothers — Tim and Robbie, who died just a few months apart in 2023, and Gary, who died in 2020.
"Gary Bachman, Tim, Robbie.… They're gone, but this will live on," Bachman said.
Band member Fred Turner was also on hand for the ceremony.
"I didn't think this would ever happen, to tell you the truth," he said. "I can't tell you what it means … especially because I came home."
Winnipeg's music scene, Turner said, has always been filled with talented artists, a spawning ground that gave his band the tools to take their songs to an international stage.
"When I was a kid, I hoped. It was always a dream to do this," said Turner. "How many people have a childhood dream that becomes real?"
Matt Derraugh, a born and raised Winnipeg drummer and Bachman–Turner Overdrive fan who attended Friday's public ceremony, said the band laid the groundwork for performers like him.
"Just seeing where they took [their music] to … and how far you can take it to, that is definitely an inspiring piece," he said.
The band's records encapsulated Winnipeg's "grit and grime," Derraugh said, capturing its essence in their lyrics.
"The great heritage of music, what we have here in BTO, is absolutely an essential part of that, and it's essential for me," Derraugh said.
Like Derraugh, BTO formed part of the soundtrack of Ronnie Ladobruk's childhood. The Winnipeg guitarist, who was at the unveiling ceremony, studied the band's record to learn how to play and create his own music.
"Freddy's voice, Randy's voice, the guitar playing, the bass, drumming — everything is just incredible," he said. "It's next level. It's powerful."
He said the honorary name brings a sense of pride, as well as a reminder of how much can be accomplished when someone dedicates their life to their craft, like BTO did.
"It's very inspiring to see them recognized," he said.
"They set the bar and they set the road, and we walk down it. We try to forge our own names and our own road," he said.
"You can see what's possible if you just keep going."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
3 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Raccoon Lager Returns with 4 New Trash Can Troublemakers, More Partners & a Bigger Mission
TORONTO, June 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Last summer, Toronto fell hard for Raccoon Lager — a cheeky new charity brew with a big heart. This year, it's back and bigger than ever. After selling 15,000 cans and raising over $10,000 for the Daily Bread Food Bank, the city's favourite raccoons are ready to do even more good, one cold beer at a time. Created by Toronto's indie media company Streets of Toronto in partnership with Tomorrow Brew Co., Raccoon Lager is more than just a crisp, refreshing beer. It's a local movement. And now, it's a full-blown collectible. Meet the New Crew Introducing four brand new trash can troublemakers Parker Dale – Thinks Queen Street peaked in 2013. Spotted weekly in line at Dufferin Grove Market and never tips under 25 per cent Rosie Dale – Spends her weekends between Barry's Bootcamp and brunch. Claims a cold plunge personal best time of two minutes Moe Skoka – Only shows up in the city to restock oat milk and flex cottage-core. Drives a beat-up truck with perfect Bluetooth Trinity Bell – DJs on weekends, thrifts on weekdays, has three roommates and a very strong POV on pizza slices They join last year's OGs — Kenny Sington, Lesley Ville, Lawrence Park and Danielle Forth — for a full raccoon roster of eight. Collect them all and rep your neighbourhood. Or start a friendly turf war: which raccoon will reign supreme? Where to Sip Raccoon Lager is now being poured at 20 O&B restaurants, alongside returning favourites like Gabby's, NBA Courtside Restaurant, 7 Numbers and Fat Pasha. And yes — it's back in 50+ LCBO locations across Toronto and beyond. If you don't see it on shelves, ask for BrewAid's Raccoon Lager by name. Why it Matters Since 1983, the Daily Bread Food Bank has been a lifeline for thousands in our city. Every Raccoon Lager sold helps provide meals to those in need. Last year's success proved that Torontonians are ready to drink for a cause — and even collect the cans. This summer, we're aiming higher. Join the Movement Follow along for pop-ups, contests and ways to show your neighbourhood pride. Because drinking beer never felt so good — or did so much good. Let's make this the summer of the raccoon. Cheers to that. About Streets of Toronto Streets of Toronto is a passionate independent media company with a vision to connect with the people of Toronto through daily original stories about the city and its neighbourhoods. Powered by the team at Post City, Streets of Toronto's collective reaches a community of nearly 1 million across their digital and social platforms. About Tomorrow Brew Co. Proudly Canadian, Tomorrow Brew Co. was founded in 2014 by mother-son team Pat and Ian Macdonald, who envisioned celebrating what's great about Canada through craft beer. Tomorrow Brew Co. aims to share stories unique to Canada through distinctive and delicious craft brews in an effort to build a better tomorrow.
Cision Canada
21 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Pizza 73 Celebrates the Heart of Oil Country with Free Heart Pizzas for Fans
EDMONTON, AB, June 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Pizza 73, the beloved Alberta-born pizza chain and official pizza partner of the Edmonton Oilers, is celebrating Oilers Country after an unforgettable season that brought pride, passion, and unity to fans across Alberta. On Monday, June 23, from 1–4 p.m. MT, fans can visit one of seven participating Pizza 73 locations to receive a free Heart Pizza — a one-day-only, walk-in offer created to honour Oil Country's passion and pride. The Heart Pizza is a cheese or pepperoni medium pizza featuring a heart cut out in the center — symbolizing Edmonton's unwavering love for its team. "As an Alberta brand and long-standing partner of the Edmonton Oilers, we feel every moment of the season right alongside the fans," said Adam Williamson, Marketing Director at Pizza 73. "This team gave the city so much to be proud of, and this is our way of showing appreciation to the heart of the community — Oil Country." As a long-standing partner of the Edmonton Oilers, Pizza 73 has always been committed to supporting local communities and celebrating what brings Albertans together — especially their unwavering love for hockey. Participating Pizza 73 Heart Pizza locations — walk-in only, limit one per person: 10424 122 Street, T5N 1M3, Edmonton 10839-101 St, T5H 2S7, Edmonton 11435 Kingsway Ave, T5G 3E8, Edmonton 5003-118 Ave, T5W 1B8, Edmonton 9561 - 118 Ave NW, T5G 0P9, Edmonton #123 -16 Westway Road, T5T 4R4, Spruce Grove 5433 Gateway Blvd., T6H 2H3, Edmonton About Pizza 73 Pizza 73 was founded in 1985 in Edmonton, Alberta, and remains Canadian-owned and operated to this day. Today, there are over 100 Pizza 73 restaurants across Western Canada. Guided by their core promise, "Better meal. Better deal," the brand is celebrating 40 years in Western Canada this year. Its mission is to make every occasion with Pizza 73 an enjoyable and memorable experience by offering the highest quality fresh products and exemplary service. For more details and to stay updated, visit and follow Pizza 73 on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. Campaign creative is by Zulu Alpha Kilo, with PR outreach led by spPR Inc.
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Natalie Sue wins Leacock Medal for Humour for novel ‘I Hope This Finds You Well'
Natalie Sue's debut novel 'I Hope This Finds You Well' has won this year's Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. The $25,000 award is given to the best Canadian book of literary humour published in the previous year. The novel follows the story of an office worker in her early thirties who one day stumbles upon all of her colleagues' private emails and decides to use their gossip to help save her job. 'I Hope This Finds You Well' was published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. Sue is a Calgary-based author of Iranian and British descent who spent her early years living in western Canada. Runners-up, who received $5,000 each, were Greg Kearney for 'An Evening With Birdy O'Day,' about an aging hairstylist who lost connection with his childhood best friend when he left to pursue a pop music career, and Patricia J. Parsons for 'We Came From Away: That Summer on the Rock,' which follows one woman's attempt to reconnect her family with Newfoundland. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2025.
