Bachman–Turner Overdrive return with new material featuring Neil Young

28 March 2025, 11:12

"I'll scream something and play my solo at the end."

Bachman–Turner Overdrive have released their first new music in decades, and have brought along a very special guest.

'60 Years Ago' was written by Randy Bachman with his son Tal and originally intended for their as-yet unreleased father-son album, but inspired by the christening of the Bachman-Turner Overpass, they've given it a revamp and release as a BTO track.

• Neil Young and Joni Mitchell have returned to Spotify: Here's why
• Neil Young to play massive UK show with Cat Stevens and Van Morrison
• Listen to the Gold Radio 70s Live Playlist on Global Player

And they've got a famous Winnipeg native along for the ride too, with Neil Young popping up with one of his classic solos at the end.

"I have a lot of people asking me, always, 'Is there anything new? Is there anything new?'," Bachman told Billboard. "So now… yes, there is.

"I sent it to Neil Young and said, 'Here's a song about us and Winnipeg'. And he said, 'I love this. I'll scream something and play my solo at the end of the track.' So we did that."

60 Years Ago

Neil Young or not, it wouldn't be a BTO song without the T, and Fred Turner has been in-and-out of the band's live lineup due to his ill health, his wife's death and vocal issues, but he makes a welcome return on '60 Years Ago'.

"When I sent him [the song] I said, 'Just put this on your computer… put on headphones and sing to it. I just want your voice, Fred.'

"He said, 'I haven't sang in two and a half years, but I gave it a shot. But I lost my voice in the second verse.'

"But because of digital (technology) now you can get a little, tiny sound and make it big, so we managed to get a great vocal on him throughout the song."

Bachman added that they never intended the song to be a chart-targeting single, but are happy that the song is true to the classic BTO sound.

What's more, he added that he's been given some tapes of more potential song ideas from Fred, which him and his son Tal have filled out.

The plan is to send these songs back to Fred to add new vocals and release the songs as new Bachman–Turner Overdrive material before too long.