Robin Trower

Biography

Robin Leonard Trower (born 9 March 1945) is an English rock guitarist and producer who achieved success with Procol Harum from 1967 until 1971 and as the bandleader of his own power trio known as the Robin Trower Band.
Although Procol Harum was primarily known as a progressive rock band, Trower himself is known for his blues-infused guitar playing, which critics have frequently compared to that of Jimi Hendrix, whom he has cited as an influence.
As a solo artist, Trower released four consecutive gold-certified albums from 1974 to 1977 that charted well in the US and Canada, but in the 1980s his career faltered. He briefly returned to Procol Harum for their 1991 reunion album, The Prodigal Stranger, but left again to resume his solo career. His most recent solo album, Come and Find Me×Come and Find Me16 May 2025 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1A Little Bit of Freedom3:102One Go Round3:523I Would Lose My Mind3:154Come and Find Me4:105Take This Hurt Away4:176The Future Starts Right Here2:477Tangled Love3:458Capture the Life Begun2:509Without a Trace3:3910I Fly Straight to You4:5211Time Stood Still4:33, was released in 2025.

Early life

Robin Trower was born in Catford, London, England, and grew up in Southend-on-Sea, Essex.

Career

In 1962, he formed a band 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). He also unsuccessfully tried forming a band with Wilko Johnson, who had instead decided to attend university. Trower then, in June 1967, joined Brooker's new band Procol Harum following the success of their debut May 1967 single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", and remained with them until mid 1971, appearing on the group's first five albums. Trower wrote "Whisky Train," the lead single from the group's fourth album, Home, and wrote three songs on the subsequent album, Broken Barricades. However, as Trower later confessed, "I started to realise that I was coming up with a lot more ideas than Procol had room for, so I was driven to go forward into my own thing."

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 also took on lead vocals) and recruited drummer Reg Isidore (later replaced by Bill Lordan) to form the Robin Trower Band in 1973. In 1974, the group released Bridge of Sighs. This album, along with his first and third solo album, was produced by his former Procol Harum bandmate, organist Matthew Fisher. His early power trio work was noted for Jimi Hendrix influences.
Trower is an influential guitarist who has inspired other guitar legends such as Robert Fripp, who praised him for his string bending and the quality of his sounds, and took lessons from him.
In the early 1980s, Trower teamed up with former Cream bassist Jack Bruce and his previous drummers Lordan and Isidore for two albums, BLT (Bruce, Lordan, Trower) and Truce (Trower, Bruce, Isidore). After those albums, he released another album with James Dewar on vocals titled Back It Up×Back It UpSeptember 1983 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Back It Up3:552River3:513Black to Red2:564Benny Dancer8:545Time Is Short3:416Islands4:037None but the Brave2:378Captain Midnight3:099Settling the Score5:08 in 1983. Robin Trower was dropped from Chrysalis Records afterwards.

Trower was also a part of the Night of the Guitars II European tour in 1991, organized by Sting and The Police manager Miles Copeland. The tour featured Ronnie Montrose, Rick Derringer, Saga's Ian Crichton, Dave Sharman, Jan Akkerman and Laurie Wisefield.
Thirteen albums later, Trower's album Living Out of Time×Living out of Time2003 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1What's Your Name2:592Step Into the Sun4:253Another Time, Another Place4:384Sweet Angel3:355Please Tell Me4:046One Less Victory5:327Ain't Gonna Wait4:438Living Out of Time3:259The Past Untied3:2410You Still Come Back3:4211I Want to Take You With Me10:40 (2003) featured 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 line-up as the mid-1980s albums Passion×Passion1987 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Caroline4:032Secret Doors4:173If Forever4:454Won’t Even Think About You3:385Passion3:596No Time4:327Night3:578Bad Time3:269One More World3:45 and Take What You Need×Take What You Need1988 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracks1Tear It Up4:232Take What You Need (From Me)5:323Love Attack3:294I Want You Home3:495Shattered3:206Over You5:367Careless3:398Second Time3:409Love Won't Wait Forever4:47.
With the same bandmates, Trower gave a concert on his 60th birthday in Bonn, Germany. The concert was recorded by the German television channel WDR. It was then released on DVD and subsequently on CD throughout Europe and later the US under the title Living Out of Time: Live. Trower toured the United States and Canada in the summer and autumn of 2006.
In 2007, Trower released a third recording with Jack Bruce, Seven Moons, featuring Gary Husband on drums. A 2008 world tour began in Ft. Pierce, Florida, on 16 January 2008. Joining Davey Pattison and Pete Thompson was Glenn Letsch (formerly of Gamma) playing bass. European dates began in April. The show of 29 March 2008 at the Royal Oak Music Theater in Royal Oak, Michigan, was released as a double album on V12 Records.
Trower has described James Brown as his "big hero", particularly Brown's early work "where blues is crossing over into rock and roll".

In 2016, he enjoyed a successful tour of the US. On 20 March 2018, Trower played a show at the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis, Maryland. Ten minutes later (approximately 9:00PM EDT) after playing back-to-back songs "Day of the Eagle" and "Bridge of Sighs×Bridge of SighsApril 1974 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Day of the Eagle5:03A2Bridge of Sighs5:02A3In This Place4:30A4The Fool and Me3:55B1Too Rolling Stoned7:33B2About to Begin3:44B3Lady Love3:20B4Little Bit of Sympathy4:17", he announced on his microphone that he was not feeling well (he had flu symptoms), handed his guitar to a stage crew, walked backstage and collapsed. He was transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment.
In 2019, it was announced that Trower had signed to Mascot Label Group, alongside the announcement of a new studio album Closer to the Day. Regarding the album's title, he told Guitar World, "I'm not thinking about dying — far from it. What I'm saying is, 'If I'm nearer the end than the beginning, then I've got to get going.'" The album was released on 22 March 2019, while its supporting tour was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February 2022, Trower announced his studio album No More Worlds to Conquer×No More Worlds to Conquer28 April 2022 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 11 tracks1Ball of Fire3:512No More Worlds to Conquer3:553Deadly Kiss6:154Birdsong4:115Losing You2:516Waiting for the Rain to Fall3:477Wither on the Vine4:128Cloud Across the Sun3:149Fire to Ashes3:4410The Razor’s Edge3:0211I Will Always Be Your Shelter4:17, alongside its title track. The record was released on 29 April 2022.
Sari Schorr is the featured vocalist on Trower's album, Joyful Sky×Joyful Sky27 October 2023 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 10 tracks1Burn4:202I’ll Be Moving On3:513The Distance2:564Peace of Mind3:195Change It2:366Joyful Sky4:097Need for You3:028The Circle Is Complete7:159Flatter to Deceive4:2010I Will Always Be Your Shelter3:25, which was released on Provogue Records in October 2023.
On 6 June 2024, Trower announced the cancellation of his upcoming tour of the US scheduled for September/October, due to undisclosed health issues which would necessitate a major operation.
In October 2024, he said on his website: "Following a successful operation I am delighted to be back playing shows in 2025, starting with the sold out Rock Legends Cruise from Miami in February, and UK dates in May!". In 2025, he announced further US and UK dates for later in the year.

Personal life

Trower identifies as a Christian. When asked about his religious beliefs in a 2019 interview, Trower responded: "To be honest, I think I was chosen to have faith. At a very early age. We had Scripture at school, and it just rang a bell with me. That’s the only way I can explain it. Hearing the Gospels rang something inside of me. [My faith] helps to keep me on track, and not start wandering down useless paths." While admitting that he had "fallen away a bit from going to Mass lately," Trower nevertheless reaffirmed his identification as a Catholic.
Describing his self-care routine in a 2022 interview, Trower stated that "[during] the last 20 years or so, it’s been no alcohol, no tobacco, no drugs, a sensible diet, a little bit of exercise and a lot of prayer."
Trower married his wife Andrea in 1968, remaining married until her death in 2014.
Trower is an avid reader, and has cited Patrick O'Brian's nautical-themed Aubrey–Maturin series as a personal favorite, asserting that "It’s very rich in language. I love the idea of the sea, and I’ve got a breviary that explains all of the terminology, so I can go to that." Trower also enjoys reading about the Second World War and considers Winston Churchill a personal hero.

With Procol Harum

1967 Procol Harum
1968 Shine On Brightly (Trower sings backup on "Wish Me Well")
1969 A Salty Dog (Trower sings lead on "Crucifiction Lane")
1970 Home
1970 Ain't Nothin' to Get Excited About (a vintage rock'n'roll side-project by members of Procol Harum, recording as 'Liquorice John Death')
1971 Broken Barricades (Trower sings lead on "Song for a Dreamer" and "Poor Mohammed")
1991 The Prodigal Stranger
1995 The Long Goodbye

Live albums

1976: Robin Trower Live! (recorded 2/03/75, Stockholm) – UK No. 15, US No. 10, AUS No. 73, SWE No. 40, CAN No. 52
1985: Beyond the Mist (recorded April 1985 at the Marquee Club, London)
1992: BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (recorded 1/29/75)
1996: King Biscuit Flower Hour Presents: Robin Trower in Concert (recorded 10/18/77, New Haven, CT)
1999: This Was Now '74–'98 (recorded 1974, Pittsburgh, PA; 1998, Seattle, WA) -2-CD set
2006: Living Out of Time: Live (recorded 9/03/05, Bonn, Germany) [note: also available on DVD]
2009: [email protected] (recorded 3/29/08, Royal Oak, MI)
2011: Robin Trower at the BBC 1973–1975 (recorded 3/26/73 [John Peel Session], 9/26/73 [Bob Harris Session], 2/20/74 [Bob Harris Session], 3/05/74 [John Peel Session], 1/28/75 [John Peel Session], and 1/29/75 [BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert, omitting 2 songs but adding 2 others]) -2-CD set
2013: State to State: Live Across America 1974–1980 (recorded 1974, Philadelphia; 1974, California; 1976, Illinois; 1977, Oklahoma; 1980, Missouri) -2-CD set
2015: Rock Goes to College 1980 (recorded 2/25/80, London)
2026: One Moment in Time: Live in the USA
2026: Robin Trower Live! 50th Anniversary Edition (Expanded re-issue of 1976 Robin Trower Live!)

Compilations

1987: The Robin Trower Portfolio
1991: Essential Robin Trower
1991: Robin Trower: The Collection
1994: Robin Trower Anthology
2002: Speed Of Sound: The Best of Robin Trower
2004: Dreaming the Blues -2-CD set
2008: Day of the Eagle: The Best of Robin Trower
2010: A Tale Untold: The Chrysalis Years 1973–1976 -3-CD set
2012: Farther on Up the Road: The Chrysalis Years 1977–1983 -3-CD set
2014: Compendium 1987–2013 -2-CD set
2014: Original Album Series (contains Twice Removed from Yesterday×Twice Removed From Yesterday1973 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 9 tracksA1I Can’t Wait Much Longer5:25A2Daydream6:28A3Hannah5:30A4Man of the World2:40B1I Can’t Stand It3:43B2Rock Me Baby4:21B3Twice Removed From Yesterday3:58B4Sinner’s Song5:25B5Ballerina3:41, Bridge of Sighs×Bridge of SighsApril 1974 · Studio albumSpotify (search)YouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracksA1Day of the Eagle5:03A2Bridge of Sighs5:02A3In This Place4:30A4The Fool and Me3:55B1Too Rolling Stoned7:33B2About to Begin3:44B3Lady Love3:20B4Little Bit of Sympathy4:17, For Earth Below×For Earth BelowFebruary 1975 · Studio albumSpotifyYouTube Music (search)Tracklist · 8 tracks1Shame the Devil3:272It's Only Money5:303Confessin’ Midnight5:534Fine Day3:365Alethea3:066A Tale Untold5:287Gonna Be More Suspicious3:068For Earth Below6:06, Robin Trower Live!, Long Misty Days) -5-CD set
2015: Original Album Series, Vol. 2 (contains In City Dreams, Caravan to Midnight, Victims of the Fury, B.L.T., Truce) -5-CD set
2019: The Studio Albums 1973–1983 (contains all 10 Chrysalis studio albums presented in card-sleeves housed in a clamshell box) -10-CD set

With Jack Bruce

1981: B.L.T. – US No. 37
1982: Truce – US No. 109
1989: No Stopping Anytime (compilation of B.L.T. and Truce)
2007: Seven Moons
2009: Seven Moons Live (recorded 2/28/09, Nijmegen, Holland) [note: also available on DVD] re-released as Songs from the Road
2014: Silver Rails (“Rusty Lady”)

With Bryan Ferry

1993: Taxi
1994: Mamouna
2002: Frantic
2007: Dylanesque