Robin Trower

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Robin Trower

Origin Catford, London, England
Years active 1962 to present
Genres Blues, Rock, Heavy metal
Labels Chrysalis Records, Atlantic Records

Robin Leonard Trower (born March 9, 1945 in Catford, London, England) is a preeminent English rock guitarist who achieved success with Procol Harum during the 1960's, and then again as the leader of his own Hendrixesque power trio.

He grew up in the seaside resort of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England.

In 1962 Robin Trower formed a group that would come to be known as The Paramounts, later including fellow Southend High School pupil Gary Brooker. The Paramounts disbanded in 1966 to pursue individual projects. Trower then joined new band Procol Harum in 1967, and where he remained until 1972. After going solo in 1973, he found the individual identity and style that have brought him acclaim to this day.

Before launching his own eponymous band he joined with singer Frankie Millar, bass player James Dewar and former Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker to form the short-lived combo Jude. Although this outfit played some well-received gigs, it did not record and soon split up.

Trower retained as bassist the late James Dewar, who then took on lead vocals as well, and recruited drummer Reg Isidore (later replaced by Bill Lordan) to form the Robin Trower Band in 1973.

Perhaps Trower's most famous album is Bridge of Sighs (1974). This album, along with his first and third solo albums, was produced by his former Procol Harum bandmate, organist Matthew Fisher.

In 1977, feeling he had already proven himself as a performer, Trower ventured into new musical realms, as demonstrated by the release of the jaded In City Dreams album. The 1978 release of Caravan to Midnight was in a different style to the rest of his earlier work, symbolising a change in direction for him. "I am spending much more time and energy and effort on writing and arranging the material," he said at the time, adding "I think music today is suffering greatly from a cleanness. It's too set, too pat, too clever, there's not enough spontaneity."

Trower's most recent album, Living Out of Time (2003), features the return of veteran bandmates Dave Bronze on bass, vocalist Davey Pattison (formerly with Ronnie Montrose's band Gamma) and Pete Thompson on drums - the same lineup as the mid 1980s albums Passion and Take What You Need.

Trower toured the US and Canada in summer 2006. A second leg of the tour has been added for September and October.

Trower is well known for being a longtime player of Fender Stratocasters.

[edit] Discography

Robin Trower Band, except as noted:

  • 1967 Procol Harum (Procol Harum)
  • 1968 Shine on Brightly (Procol)
  • 1969 A Salty Dog (Procol)
  • 1970 Home (Procol)
  • 1971 Broken Barricades (Procol)
  • 1973 Best of Procol Harum (Procol)
  • 1973 Twice Removed From Yesterday
  • 1974 Bridge of Sighs ----- Certified Gold by RIAA[1]
  • 1975 For Earth Below ----- Certified Gold by RIAA
  • 1976 Robin Trower Live
  • 1976 Long Misty Days ----- Certified Gold by RIAA
  • 1977 In City Dreams ----- Certified Gold by RIAA
  • 1978 Caravan to Midnight
  • 1980 Victims of the Fury
  • 1981 BLT (with Jack Bruce & Bill Lordan)
  • 1982 Truce (w/ Bruce & Lordan)
  • 1983 Back It Up
  • 1985 Beyond the Mist
  • 1987 Passion
  • 1988 Take What You Need
  • 1990 In the Line of Fire
  • 1991 Essential Robin Trower
  • 1991 Prodigal Stranger (Procol)
  • 1993 Taxi (Bryan Ferry Band)
  • 1994 20th Century Blues
  • 1994 Mamouna (Ferry)
  • 1995 BBC Radio One - Live
  • 1995 The Long Goodbye (Procol)
  • 1995 King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents Robin Trower
  • 1997 Someday Blues
  • 1999 This Was Now
  • 2000 Go My Way
  • 2002 Speed Of Sound: The Best Of Robin Trower
  • 2003 Living Out of Time
  • 2005 Another Days Blues
  • 2006 Living Out of Time LIVE Concert DVD, recorded in Germany, March 9, 2005

[edit] External links

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