Bachman, Turner reunite for album

Canadian rock legends Randy Bachman and Fred Turner are reuniting for their first album in more than 20 years, to be released this September.

The two musicians, who dominated '70s rock in Bachman-Turner Overdrive, plan to return to that stripped-down rock sound in the as-yet-untitled new album, they announced Thursday.

They're offering a taste of their new work with the free release of the first track, Rock n' Roll is the Only Way Out, on their website. They have each written new songs for the album.

Bachman had originally intended Rock n' Roll for a solo album, which would have included vocal work from other artists.

But after Turner, the bassist for BTO, agreed to lend his gritty voice to the song, the two came to an agreement to work together on a new album.

"It turned out so incredible that I asked if he wanted to sing on a few more, send me some of his original material and from that it morphed into a Bachman & Turner project," Bachman said in a news statement.

BTO broke up in 1977 and reunited off and on in the 1980s and 1990s, both with and without Randy Bachman. Turner has been retired from music since the 1990s.

Bachman continues to record as a solo artist and jazz artist and is host of the popular CBC Radio show Vinyl Tap.

The two plan to tour together, playing old hits and songs from the new album, beginning with the Sweden Rock Festival in June.

Brent Howard, Marc LaFrance and Mick Dalla-Vee are the backup band.