Bachman-Turner Overdrive drummer and co-founder Robbie Bachman has died at the age of 69.

Bachman’s older brother Randy Bachman confirmed the news of his passing yesterday (12th January) via a statement issued to social media.

Referencing Jeff Beck’s passing, Randy wrote: “Another sad departure. The pounding beat behind BTO has left us.

“I just got a call from Fred Turner and my youngest brother Robbie has joined Mum, Dad & brother Gary on the other side. Fred said maybe Jeff Beck needs a drummer to play with. 😉

“He was an integral cog in our rock ‘n’ roll machine and we rocked the world together. #RIP #littlebrother #family”

Born on 18th February 1953 in Winnipeg, Canada, Robbie Bachman joined his older brother Randy’s band Brave Belt as an 18-year-old in 1973. Randy was 10 years his senior.

Brave Belt released their self-titled debut album in 1971 and shortly after its release they recruited Fred Turner to their ranks. Their second album ‘Brave Belt II’ followed in 1972 but it sold poorly.

With multi-instrumentalist Chad Allan departing later that year, the band’s new management convinced them to change their name and Bachman–Turner Overdrive was born.

Robbie was credited with designing the BTO ‘gear’ logo, and he appeared on the band’s first eight studio albums and their biggest hits including ‘Takin’ Care of Business’, ‘Hey You’ and the international smash ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet.’

‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’ was a Number 2 hit in the UK and it topped the charts in a number of countries including the US, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Germany.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s biggest album in the UK was 1974’s ‘Not Fragile’, which peaked at no.12 thanks to the popularity of ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’.

In the 1990s, ‘You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet’ enjoyed a fresh wave of popularity in the UK when it was played by the fictional charity-loving DJs Smashie and Nicey in the TV comedy Harry Enfield’s Television Programme.

RIP Robbie Bachman.