Robin Trower Biography

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.

Robin Trower Band, except as noted: