Robin Leonard Trower (born 9 March 1945) is an English rock guitarist and vocalist who achieved success with Procol Harum throughout 1967–1971, and then again as the bandleader of his own power trio known as The Robin Trower Band in 1973.
Robin Trower was born in Catford, London, England, but grew up in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. In 1962, he formed a group that became The Paramounts, later including Westcliff High School pupil Gary Brooker. The Paramounts disbanded in 1966 to pursue individual projects. During this time, Trower created a local three-piece band called the Jam (not to be confused with the later group with Paul Weller). Trower then joined Brooker's new band Procol Harum following the success of their debut single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" in 1967, remaining with them until 1971 and appearing on the group's first five albums.
Before launching his eponymous band, he joined singer Frankie Miller, ex-Stone the Crows bassist/singer James Dewar, and former Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker to form the short-lived combo Jude. This outfit did not record and soon split up.
Trower retained Dewar as his bassist, who took on lead vocals as well, and recruited drummer Reg Isidore (later replaced by Bill Lordan) to form the Robin Trower Band in 1973.
Links to Peel[]
On his 19 February 1976, Peel played Robin Trower's new Live LP and interviewed the artist, who took the opportunity to promote his new studio LP, as well as claiming to have recorded it as if it were live, just after stating that it is something you cannot do in a studio.
Peel found Trower's 1978 Caravan To Midnight album tedious, despite playing five tracks from it on his 08 August 1978 show. Two days later on his 10 August 1978 programme, he stated that Trower's material three or four years ago was terrific, but wasn't keen on his latest album.
Sessions[]
Paris Theater 1-29-75
Three sessions. Available:
-Bridge Of Sighs CD reissue, 2007 (Chrysalis 50999 5 01845 2 1)
-John Peel Session (28th January 1975) digital EP, 2010 (EMI UK)
-John Peel Session (5th March 1974) digital EP, 2010 (EMI UK)
-John Peel Session (26th March 1973) digital EP, 2010 (EMI UK)
-At The BBC 1973-1975 2xCD, 2011 (Chrysalis 50999-070713-2-4)
-Twice Removed From Yesterday (50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition), 2xCD, 2xLP, 2023 (Chrysalis CRCX1533)
1. Recorded: 1973-03-26. Broadcast: 12 April 1973. Repeated: 24 May 1973
- Twice Removed From Yesterday / Man Of The World / Daydream / Summer Song
2. Recorded: 1974-03-05. Broadcast: 26 March 1974. Repeated: 25 April 1977
- A Little Bit Of Sympathy / Bridge Of Sighs / In This Place / Alathea
3. Recorded: 1975-01-28. Broadcast: 03 February 1975. Repeated: 07 April 1975
- Fine Day / Confessing Midnight / It's Only Money / Gonna Be More Suspicious
Other Shows Played[]
- 15 March 1973: I Can’t Wait Much Longer (LP – Twice Removed From Yesterday) Chrysalis
- 20 March 1973: Man Of The World (single) Chrysalis
- 05 April 1973: Daydream (LP – Twice Removed From Yesterday) Chrysalis
- 26 April 1973: Hannah (LP – Twice Removed From Yesterday) Chrysalis
- 10 May 1973: I Can’t Stand It (LP – Twice Removed From Yesterday) Chrysalis
- 1974
- 30 April 1974: unknown
- 04 July 1974: unknown
- 1975
- 06 March 1975: For Earth Below (album - For Earth Below) Chrysalis
- 19 February 1976: Tracks from the Robin Trower Live! LP
- 01 November 1976: Long Misty Days (album - Long Misty Days) Chrysalis CHR-1107
- 1977
- 14 July 1977: Too Rolling Stoned (album - Robin Trower Live!) Chrysalis CHR 1089
- John Peel's 70's Mixtape 3B: Farther On Up The Road (LP - In City Dreams) Chrysalis
- 1978
- 08 August 1978: Fool / It's For You (LP - Caravan To Midnight) Chrysalis
- 08 August 1978: My Love / Sail On / I'm Out To Get You (LP - Caravan To Midnight) Chrysalis
- 10 August 1978: I’m Out To Get You (LP - Caravan To Midnight) Chrysalis
- 08 March 1982: Birthday Boy (album - Caravan To Midnight) Chrysalis
- 1996
- 25 May 1996 (BFBS): 'Long Misty Days (LP-Long Misty Days)' (Chrysalis)