Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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TROWER, Robin

(b 9 March '45, London) UK HM guitarist. With Procul Harum until '71, vying with Gary Brooker and Matthew Fisher for songwriting credits; he contemplated supergroup Jude with Scots singer Frankie Miller, ex-Stone The Crows bassist Jim Dewar, ex-Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker, but it fell through; he retained Dewar (whose gravelly vocals were not dissimilar to Miller's) and recruited Reg Isadore on drums for power-trio LPs beginning with Twice Removed From Yesterday '73; from Bridge Of Sighs '74 they did well in USA charts (that title track a mainstay of stage act into '80s); ex-Sly Stone drummer Bill Lordan replaced Isadore on For Earth Below '75 (top 5 USA), Robin Trower Live! and Long Misty Days '76; Sly bassist Rusty Allen joined for In City Dreams '77 and Caravan To Midnight '78, allowing Dewar to concentrate on vocals. After Victims Of The Fury '80, Jack Bruce joined Lordan and Trower for B.L.T. '81; Truce '82 had Bruce and returning Isador; with Back It Up '83, all these were on Chrysalis. Beyond The Mist '85 on UK indie Music For Nations (Passport in USA) with Southend buddies Dave Bronze on bass and vocals, drummer Bob Clouter; Passion '86 was on GNP Crescendo, Take What You Need on Atlantic, both with vocalist Davey Pattison. In Concert '77 issued on CD in USA; live BBC Radio recordings '75 on Griffin and Windsong; album Someday Blues '97 on Demon.