#58: Mainstreet U.S.A. by Union

City: Regina, SK
Radio Station: CJME
Peak Month: August 1981
Peak Position in Regina ~ #7
Peak position in Vancouver ~ did not chart
Peak Position on Billboard Hot 100 ~ did not chart
YouTube: “Mainstreet U.S.A.”
Lyrics: “Mainstreet U.S.A.”

Union was a short-lived band that evolved out of Ironhorse. This Canadian band consisted of Randy Bachman, C.F. Turner, Chris Leighton, and Frank Ludwig. Randolph Charles Bachman was born in 1943 in Winnipeg, Manitoba. When he was just three years old he entered the King of the Saddle singing contest on CKY radio, Manitoba’s first radio station that began in 1923. Bachman won the contest. When he turned five years he began to study the violin through the Royal Toronto Conservatory. Though he couldn’t read music, he was able to play anything once he heard it. He dropped out of high school and subsequently a business administration program in college. He co-founded a Winnipeg band called The Silvertones with Chad Allan in 1960. In 1962 the band became Chad Allan and the Expressions, and was renamed The Guess Who in 1965 with their first big hit, “Shakin’ All Over“.

While “American Woman” was #1 in May 1970, Randy Bachman left The Guess Who. He released a solo album called Axe, and formed a band called Brave Belt. This included his brothers Robbie and Tim and Chad Allan. Charles “Fred” Turner then replaced Chad Allan. By 1973 they were billed as the Bachman-Turner Overdrive. In the mid-70s the BTO would have a half a dozen Top Ten hits in Canada and a #1 internationally with “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”. Other hits included Talkin’ Care of Business”, “Roll On Down the Highway”, “Blue Collar“, “My Wheels Won’t Turn” and “Gimme Your Money Please“.

In 1977 Bachman went solo and released an album called Survivor in 1978. From the album came the single release “Is The Night Too Cold For Dancin’?” After his solo release, Bachman went on to form the band Ironhorse in 1979.

Charles Frederick Turner was born in Winnipeg in 1943. He was a member of a number of local Winnipeg bands in the 1960s including pink Plumm and the D-Drifters. He was with Randy Bachman in both Brave Belt in 1971-72, and Bachman-Turner Overdrive starting in 1973. After Bachman left BTO in 1976, Turner continued with the band until 1980. Then he joined Bachman to form Union.

Chris Leighton was from Washington State, and had been a session musician and performer since 1970. In 1975 he was part of the Seattle Seahawks Band (and again in 1994).

Frank Ludwig had previously joined Crosstown Bus, a rock band that moved from Nelson to Vancouver (BC) in the late ’60s. Crosstown Bus released their only album, High Grass, in 1971. Ludwig left Crosstown Bus to join Toronto-based rock band Brutus in 1975. They had a Top 20 hit that year titled “Ooh Mama, Mama”. In 1976, Ludwig left Brutus and was a session musician on the April Wine album The Whole World’s Goin’ Crazy, released that September. Concurrently, he joined Trooper who released Two For The Show in June ’76.  The album included guest guitar and vocals on several tracks by Randy Bachman. Ludwig was a member of Trooper for its next three studio albums, which included their hits “We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time)”, “Oh, Pretty Lady”, “Raise A Little Hell”, “Round Round We Go”, “The Moment It Takes” and “3 Dressed Up as 9”.

“Mainstreet U.S.A.” was written by Randy Bachman. The song gives a nod to street scenes from different cities across America. Union gives a shout out to Chicago where the winds blow and gangs are on the street corner singing doo-wop. In Manhattan you can see “ladies in fur and satin,” while in Kansas City “women… learn to stay at home where happiness is grown.” In Hollywood “everyone is super hip” and hope to appear on a billboard. The song also mentions Milwaukee, Detroit, Seattle, Washington DC, and Cleveland.

“Mainstreet U.S.A.” reached #7 in Regina (SK), #8 in Ottawa, and #9 in Winnipeg (MB).

Bachman–Turner Overdrive then re-formed for a 1984 album and subsequent tour. Turner continued to perform in touring versions of B.T.O. through 2004. In 2018, at age 74, Fred Turner retired from touring with B.T.O.

Chris Leighton has been in the recording studio for over 1,200 TV and radio commercials. These include for Alaska Airlines, Continental Airlines, Horizon Air, Thai Airways, Armor-All, The Bon Marche, Honda, Levi’s, Nike, Nordstrom, Rainier Brewery, Safeway, Taco Time, and Toyota. Leighton has been a drummer in live concerts as part of backing bands for many performers on tour. These include Chuck Berry, Ben E. King, Bo Diddley, Danny O’Keefe, Ferlin Husky, Jimmy Dean, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Long John Baldry, Wanda Jackson, The Beach Boys, The Drifters and Thelma Houston. He has been an Adjunct Professor of Music at Shoreline Community College, and several local Seattle area school districts – in each case teaching drumming courses. Chris Leighton also teaches private drumming lessons at his own residence.

Frank Ludwig became a sought-after session player and commercial composer. He notably co-wrote the theme for the long-running CBC television series The Urban Peasant, showcasing his versatility and flair for mood-driven scoring. He later founded Studio 1200 with Paul MacDonald, producing music for advertising, political campaigns, and television.

May 23, 2026
Ray McGinnis

References:
Randy Bachman,Vinyl Tap, CBC, Toronto, Ontario.
“Randy Bachman Bio,” Randy Bachman.com.
Michael Heatley, “From Rags to Riches and Back: The Turbulent Story of Bachman-Turner Overdrive,” Team Rock.com, Bath, UK, December 17, 2016.
Johnny Can Rock, Jaimie Vernon, “Crosstown Bus,” Canadian Bands.com.
“Chris Leighton BIO,” Chrisleighton.com.
“Frank Ludwig,” Citizenfreak.com.

Top 30 CJME 1300-AM Regina (SK) August 14, 1981