Robin Trower -

Robin Trower (born March 9, 1945) is an English rock/blues guitarist with a musical career that dates back to the early 1960s. He first rose to prominence as a member of Procol Harum, with whom he played from 1967 to 1971. He made his solo debut with the 1973 release Twice Removed from Yesterday and has since issued more than 20 solo albums. During the early 1980s, he recorded two albums as part of a duo with ex-Cream bassist Jack Bruce.

Robin Trower grew up in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, where he formed The Raiders in 1960 with his older brother, singer Mick Trower. Robin and Raiders bassist Chris Copping soon joined rising R&B/beatsters The Paramounts, which featured pianist/singer Gary Brooker and drummer B. J. Wilson. As the 1963 beat boom engulfed England, The Paramounts signed to Parlophone and scored a hit with their first single, “Poison Ivy” (UK #35). They issued five further singles before folding in 1966.

In 1967, Brooker scored a global chart-topper with “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” recorded as a one-off with a studio group dubbed Procol Harum. In light of the song’s popularity, Brooker wanted to make Procol Harum and ongoing concern. Preferring old mates over studio musicians, he summoned Trower and Wilson (and later Copping) into the band and they recorded Procol Harum, released in December 1967 on Regal Zonophone. Trower recorded four further albums with the band — Shine on Brightly, A Salty Dog, Home, and Broken Barricades — before leaving Procol Harum in 1971.

Before going solo, Trower assembled a band with Scottish vocalist Frankie Miller, ex-Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker, and former Stone the Crows bassist/singer James Dewar. This outfit was short-lived and broke up without recording any material. Retaining Dewar, Trower enlisted drummer Reg Isidore and they became the Robin Trower Band.

Twice Removed from Yesterday

Robin Trower released his debut solo album, Twice Removed from Yesterday, in March 1973 on Chrysalis–Capitol.

Bridge of Sighs

Robin Trower released his second solo album, Bridge of Sighs, on April 20, 1974, on Chrysalis–Capitol.

For Earth Below

Robin Trower released his third solo album, , in February 1975 on Chrysalis–Capitol.

Robin Trower Live

In March 1976, Chrysalis issued Robin Trower Live, recorded at the Stockholm Concert Hall on February 3, 1975, for the Swedish Broadcasting Corporation.

Long Misty Days

Robin Trower released his fourth solo studio album, Long Misty Days, in October 1976 on Chrysalis–Capitol.

In City Dreams

Robin Trower released his fifth album, In City Dreams, on June 15, 1977, on Chrysalis.

Caravan to Midnight

Robin Trower released his sixth album, Caravan to Midnight, in August 1978 on Chrysalis.

Victims of the Fury

Robin Trower released his seventh album, Victims of the Fury, in April 1980 on Chrysalis.

B.L.T.

In February 1981, Robin Trower and Jack Bruce released B.L.T., their first of two collaborative albums.

Truce

In January 1982, Robin Trower and Jack Bruce released Truce, their second of two collaborative albums.

Back It Up

Robin Trower released his eighth solo album, Back It Up, in July 1983 on Chrysalis.

Beyond the Mist

In October 1985, Robin Trower released Beyond the Mist, an album with two new studio tracks and five live numbers from an April ’85 show at London’s Marquee Club.