Union

Websites:  No
Origin: Vancouver, British Columbia, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Union was a short-lived Canadian rock supergroup formed in 1980 by Randy Bachman, Fred Turner, and Frank Ludwig. The band emerged from the ashes of Bachman’s previous project Ironhorse, which had released two albums on Scotti Brothers Records before internal tensions and label frustrations prompted a new direction. With the addition of CF “Fred” Turner (of Bachman-Turner Overdrive and Brave Belt) and Trooper’s former keyboardist Frank Ludwig, the rebranded group signed to Portrait Records, a division of CBS also home to Heart and Burton Cummings.

Initially suggested by Ludwig, the name “BLT” (Bachman, Ludwig, Turner) was considered but ultimately passed over in favor of the more neutral “Union.” While the band’s name represented a new alliance, each member brought a distinct musical identity—Turner’s bluesy growl, Bachman’s polished guitar rock, and Ludwig’s melodic keyboards and songwriting. This stylistic diversity was both a strength and a challenge, as evidenced on their lone LP, On Strike.

Recorded in the spring of 1981 at Legend Studios in Lynden, Washington, the album was produced by Bachman and released that summer. The lead single, “Mainstreet U.S.A.,” co-written by Bachman, set the tone with driving rhythms and patriotic themes. The follow-up single, “Next Stop London,” was a Ludwig/Bachman co-write originally intended for a solo album by Ludwig. While both tracks garnered modest attention, they failed to make a significant dent on the charts.

One of the album’s highlights was “Keep the Summer Alive,” co-written by Bachman and Beach Boys’ Carl Wilson—a southern-tinged homage that featured vocal interplay reminiscent of “Sweet Home Alabama.” Ludwig also contributed the heartfelt track “Invitation,” showcasing his ballad style, while Turner added grit with “On Strike” and “All Night Long.” Another standout was the bluesy rocker “Pacific Northwest Blues,” a tribute to the shared musical and cultural spirit of Seattle, Bellingham, and Vancouver, with its memorable line: “You get your feet wet—up in the Northwest.”

Despite their pedigree and label backing, Union faced lukewarm critical reception and limited commercial traction. Portrait Records declined to fund a second album, and the group disbanded shortly thereafter. Each member returned to separate projects: Bachman would release Any Road in 1992 and later reunite The Guess Who; Turner re-formed BTO in various configurations; and Ludwig went on to form Body Electric, become an in-demand session musician, and compose music for the CBC series The Urban Peasant.

Though brief in tenure, Union remains a notable footnote in the careers of three of Canada’s most respected rock musicians, capturing a transitional moment between arena dominance and evolving personal directions.
-Robert Williston

Randy Bachman: guitar, vocals
Frank Ludwig: keyboards, vocals
Fred Turner: bass guitar, vocals
Chris Leighton: drums, percussion