How a Pizza Delivery Guy Ended Up Playing on Bachman-Turner Overdrive’s ‘Takin’ Care of Business’

‘200 Greatest 70s Rock Songs Vol. 2’ Book Excerpt

Photo byMercury Records

Here is another excerpt from the new eBook 200 Greatest 70s Rock Songs Vol. 2: The Stories Behind the Music of the 1970s.

Guitarist Randy Bachman and bassist Fred Turner were the core of Bachman-Turner Overdrive. In his book Randy Bachman’s Vinyl Tap Stories, the singer-songwriter describes “Takin’ Care of Business” as “BTO’s signature song and a bona fide rock anthem.”

Released in January 1974, “Takin’ Care of Business” rose to №12. The song was originally titled “White Collar Worker” when it was performed live. Bachman rewrote the lyrics after a performance in Vancouver.

“I’m on my way to a gig with my radio on and I hear a DJ on the radio say something like, ‘This is Daryl B. on CFOX Radio takin’ care of business,’” writes Bachman. “I thought that was a cool phrase. That night Fred Turner blew his voice out after singing three sets a night all week long. By the last set, he could barely croak, so he asked me to take over.”

"Takin' Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Bachman chose “White Collar Worker” but sang “Takin’ care of business” as the chorus. “When we finished the song people kept clapping, stomping, and shouting ‘Takin’ care of business” over and over. So we picked up the tempo a bit and played it again. We knew we had something.”

Bachman recalled that during the recording session for “Takin’ Care of Business,” a pizza delivery man heard the tune and made a momentous suggestion: “That song sounds like it could really use a piano,” he told Bachman. “I’m a piano player. Give me a shot.”

“We played the track for him. He listened and wrote down the chords. Then he went out into the studio, sat down at the piano they had, and laid down this great piano part. One take. Then we all went home.”

A few days later, the band realized how well the piano part worked in the song. The delivery man, Norman Durkee, was tracked down so he could be credited and paid for his contribution. Durkee was a classically trained pianist who worked with the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra.

“‘Takin’ Care of Business’ remains the most licensed song in Sony Music’s vast publishing catalog,” Bachman writes, “and has been used in everything from movies to selling burgers and office supplies. And it never fails to bring an audience to its feet.”

Frank Mastropolo is the author of the 200 Greatest Rock Songs series and Fillmore East: The Venue That Changed Rock Music Forever.