Robin Trower
Biography
Throughout his long and winding solo career, guitarist Robin Trower has had to endure countless comparisons to Jimi Hendrix, due to his uncanny ability to channel Hendrix's bluesy/psychedelic, Fender Strat-fueled playing style. Born on March 9, 1945, in Catford, England, Trower spent the early '60s playing guitar in various London based outfits; the most successful one being the R&B group the Paramounts, who specialized mostly in covers, but managed to issue several singles between 1963 and 1965. It wasn't until 1967 that Trower received his big break however, when he joined Procol Harum. The group had just scored a worldwide smash hit with "A Whiter Shade of Pale," but the only problem was that the band's leader, singer/pianist Gary Brooker, didn't have a proper band to back him. Brooker was previously a bandmate of Trower's in the Paramounts, and offered the guitar slot in his new fast-rising project to his old friend. As a result, Trower appeared on such Procol Harum classics as 1967's Procol Harum, 1968's Shine on Brightly, 1969's A Salty Dog, 1970's Home (which spawned the popular Trower tune "Whiskey Train"), and 1971's Broken Barricades.
While Procol Harum helped launch Trower's career, the guitarist realized there was limited space for his guitar work, and eventually left for a solo career. Enlisting singer/bassist James Dewar and drummer Reg Isidore (who was soon replaced by Bill Lordan) as a backing band, Trower issued his solo debut, Twice Removed From Yesterday, in 1973. The album barely left a dent in the U.S. charts, but that would change soon enough with his next release, 1974's Bridge of Sighs. With rock fans still reeling from Hendrix's death a few years earlier, the album sounded eerily similar to the late guitarist's work with the Jimi Hendrix Experience (especially his 1968 release, Electric Ladyland), and as a result, the album sky rocketed into the U.S. Top Ten, peaking at number seven.
Although Bridge of Sighs was to be his most popular solo release, Trower's stock continued to rise throughout the mid-'70s, as he became an arena headliner on the strength of such hit albums as 1975's For Earth Below, 1976's Robin Trower Live!, and Long Misty Days, plus 1977's In City Dreams. Further releases followed, yet by the dawn of the '80s, it became quite obvious that Trower's star was rapidly fading, as each album sold less than its predecessor. A brief union with ex-Cream bassist/vocalist Jack Bruce spawned a pair of releases, 1981's B.L.T. and 1982's Truce, before Trower returned back to his solo career.
The '80s saw Trower try and expand his audience with several releases that attempted to update his blues-rock style (such as 1987's slick produced Passion), but none returned the guitarist back to the top of the charts. During the early '90s, Trower returned back to Procol Harum for a brief reunion (1991's Prodigal Stranger), before backing ex-Roxy Music singer Bryan Ferry on a few releases (1993's Taxi and 1994's Mamouna, the latter of which Trower earned a co-producer credit for). Trower continued to issue solo albums in the 21st century (2000's Go My Way), while a steady stream of live sets and compilations appeared. Trower returned to work with Ferry once more on 2002's Frantic, again earning a production credit. Reassembling most of his late-'80s band, Trower released Living Out of Time in 2004 and returned with Another Days Blues in late 2005. ~ Greg Prato, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
For further information on Robin Trower, Please visit these sites: TrowerPower. c o m TrowerPower. c o m or
RobinTrower. c o m for general information on Robin .Please help spread the word and music of Robin Trower!!!... M i t c h Abington, PA. |
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Oh, by the way, Robin Trowers' "Bridge of Sighs" came out in "1974, not 1999, Victims of the fury in 1980 also not like it says above. All unmentioned "BLT" Jack Bruce, Bill Lordan and Robin Trower (hence BLT)in 1981,"Long Misty Days" 1976, "For Earth Below" 1975,"Twice Removed from Yesterday" 1973 are all amazing.Save $ & get "The Best of Trower/Speed of Sound"2002.P l e a s e ! listen to all discs mentioned,ha v e a puff of smoke,a sip of a drink,relax to them all and set your spirit free!...Mitc h
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Do yourselves a favor and listen to the entire "Bridge Of Sighs" Album. I dare you not to tear up, get goosebumps and tell all your guitar playing friends "Yo,You gotta listen to this". Trust me you will, he's that amazing! Mitch...
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Robin Trower influences my playing for some 30+ years.I saw him in Philly headlining with Rush,Mahogan y Rush & Renaissance as openers and could play all his tunes at 15. 2 weeks later saw Black Sabbath & a new band called Van Halen, opening for them with "Eruption" immediately I realized I had some stuff to learn.In my 20's I was doing sound at Chestnut Cabaret in Philly and did sound 4 him. He gave me a Schecter gtr. He and the band signed it to me,it will be here till death.
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Finding artists like this is why I love Pandora. Never heard of this guy before in my life, but his music is awesome.
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Positively 1 of the most underated guitarists and rock'n'roll players to date.
Pandoro is the BEST F*%#ing station I've ever heard. I knew the damn I-net would be good for sumthin'sum day. YEEAAH !!!!!! Correction OOPS |
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Years ago in Chicago, a DJ came on the air drunk out of his mind. He spoke on how rock has been watered down over the years to an bland outmeal consistancy. He meant to say music like Trower's was the nucleus that encompassed the soul of rock and roll. Instead he said, "Trower's music was the nucumber of the soul of rock and roll." He was more than correct, but was fired the next day.
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Man, Started listening in the last month or two. I can see the comparisons to Hendrix, but he's got his own thing too. And it's......gr e a t ! !
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I think it was 1976 "Bridge of Sighs" tour at the Capital-Cent e r , Washington D.C. with buddies;way too wasted;regar d l e s s he was great. I remember he wore a green suit??
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i saw him at the northwest passage in rochester ny in 83 hooked at that point
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He was just playing in my town, sadly I'm only 18 and it was a 21 and older show. I was absolutely furious. I hope I can get another chance to see this guitar master.
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They are not making music like this anymore. Rock on Robin Trower.
Msweath5 |
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i wore out an old box at9 and broke many strings trying to play like the idols of time olschoo
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I would like to see the albums "For Earth Below" & "Twice Removed from Yesterday" added to the discography, and put into the playlist. Thanks,
DYEBOY |
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I have seen Robin Trower live in Atlanta Ga it was in a litte bar in a shopping complex of all places. I have worked as a live sound engineer for old rock and blues bands for most of my life and I have to say that that experance was the best I ever had. I tried to meet the man but his security whould have none of it. I wish you had some stuff from the B.L.T. album. it is the best by far!
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just saw trower in indy he was amazing and his new album rocks with jack bruce
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it's nice to see so many people paying homage to one of the guitar greats - i also agree with brian dye above and would like to see twice removed from yesterday added along with for earth below
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ive been following trower for over 30 years my buddy jimmeylee has opened up for him in stlouis he is vary under rated he kicksass live
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By far one of the best guitar players ever born. Ive seen Trower over 30 times from the 80s to today and he has gotten better with aage. Buy the CD Bridge of Sighs. You wont be disapointed.
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I've seen him live 4 times in Cleveland. The best was from the second row at Nautica with Johnny Winter. A pure guitar extravaganza ! Still sends chills up my spine!
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Just saw him at Konocti Harbor recently Feb. 2008 this man is a legend! The Master of the Stratocaster ! !
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Robin was very Hendrix influenced but still retains his own tone and sound.
A true original artist last part of the british invasion. Too Rolling Stoned a song that encompasses his brilliant playing and super tight band that backs him. |
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I saw Trower at the Grog and Tankard in Baltimore in 1985 or 6, I think. I was very close to the stage and directly in front of him. Outstanding concert although I'm amazed I didn't go deaf. He had the hardest hitting drummer that I've ever seen. It was like listening to cannon shots all night. Very tight band.
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Slow and bluesy guitar playing with a whole lot of rock and roll thrown in. Awesome guitar work. Long may you thrive, Robin.
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