Robin Trower

b. 9 March 1947, London, England. Guitarist Trower spent his early career in the Paramounts, a popular Southend, Essex-based R&B/beat group which completed five singles between 1963 and 1965. Having briefly worked with a trio dubbed the Jam, he joined several colleagues from his earlier act in Procol Harum. Trower remained in this much-praised unit until 1971, when his desire to pursue a tougher musical style proved incompatible with their well-established grandiose inflections. He initially formed the short-lived Jude with Frankie Miller (vocals), Jim Dewar (bass/vocals) and Clive Bunker (drums, ex- Jethro Tull), but having retained Dewar (formerly with Lulu and Stone The Crows), founded the Robin Trower Band with drummer Reg Isidore. TWICE REMOVED FROM YESTERDAY and BRIDGE OF SIGHS explored a melodic, guitar-based path, redolent of the late-period Jimi Hendrix, whom Robin was often criticized for merely aping. His lyrical technique, offset by Dewar's gritty delivery, nonetheless proved highly popular and the trio achieved considerable success in the USA. Although ex-Sly & Family Stone drummer Bill Lordan replaced Isidore in 1974, FOR EARTH BELOW and LONG MISTY DAYS maintained the same musical balance. However, Trower's desire for a purer version of R&B resulted in his inviting black producer Don Davis to collaborate on IN CITY DREAMS and CARAVAN TO MIDNIGHT. The new style alienated the guitarist's rock audience, while the rock-based VICTIMS OF THE FURY was bedevilled by weaker material. In 1981 he and Lordan formed BLT with bassist Jack Bruce, but within two years Trower had re-convened the Robin Trower Band with Dewar, David Bronze (bass), Alan Clarke and Bobby Clouter (both drums). BACK IT UP failed to repeat former glories and the artist was then dropped by longtime label, Chrysalis Records. The well-received PASSION, released independently, engendered a new deal with Atlantic, for whom a new line-up of Trower, Bronze, Davey Pattison (vocals) and Pete Thompson (drums) completed TAKE WHAT YOU NEED.