September 2010 UK Tour: Not long now!

Robin Trower is one of the greatest blues rock guitarists of all time. He is still recording, touring and about to hit the UK with his sensational band featuring Davey Pattison [vocals], Pete Thompson [drums] and Glenn Letsch [bass]. This ‘unofficial’ UK fansite celebrates Robin, his band and their music.

Latest News: 27 August 2010

Robin on Hendrix, tribute bands and ...

Check out the latest bulletin - 2010 Tour questions answered - on Robin’s official YouTube channel here!

Get your Tour T-shirts online now!

Available in Medium, Large, XLarge and XXLarge. Just £12 p+p. Order yours today from www.manhatonrecords.com . Click here for enlarged photo of the front and back of the T.
 

The boys are back in town!

Word is the band have arrived and rehearsals are about to start in preparation for the first show in Holland on 3 September.

Local Radio push to showcase September tour!

Interviews with Robin Trower will be hitting the airwaves across the country on Thursday 26 August. In support of next month’s UK tour, the interviews will be carried by five BBC local radio stations. For details click here and scroll down!

Classic Radio sessions now available online!

iTunes, Amazon and other online resellers have three Chrysalis-backed EPs on sale now featuring sessions recorded by Robin Trower for the BBC in the 1970s. Although two of the EPs include material previously made available on the 2007 digital remaster of Bridge of Sighs - John Peel Sessions from March 1974 and January 1975 - there’s a session from 26 March 1973 featuring Twice Removed, Daydream and Man of the World which has never seen the light of day, officially. It’s another must-buy for die-hard Trower fans!.

 The Robin Trower Band 2010 UK Tour Dates ... more news below

Weds 8 Sept.

The Globe, Cardiff   venue website   seetickets

Thurs 9 Sept.

The Robin 2, Bilston, Wolverhampton   venue website

Fri 10 Sept.

Pacific Road Arts Centre, Birkenhead   venue website

Sat 11 Sept.

O2 abc, Glasgow   venue website   seetickets

Sun 12 Sept.

The Picturedrome, Holmfirth   venue website   seetickets

Weds 15 Sept.

The Waterfront, Norwich   venue website   seetickets

Thurs 16 Sept.

O2 Academy, Newcastle   venue website   seetickets

Fri 17 Sept

The Assembly Rooms, Derby   venue website   seetickets

Sat 18 Sept.

The Empire, Shepherds Bush, London   venue website   seetickets

Sun 19 Sept.

The Brook, Southampton venue website

Weds 22 Sept.

Komedia, Bath   venue website   seetickets

Thurs 23 Sept.

The Guildhall, St Ives   2009 Festival website   seetickets

Sat 25 Sept.

Soundhouse, Otford  venue website

Sun 26 Sept.

Komedia, Brighton   venue website   seetickets

If you are going to any of the above shows please do send us your comments and pics afterwards for posting on this site. All contributions most welcome! Just email ‘em here.

Once again, robintrowerlive.co.uk will be sending its intrepid reporters to enjoy the music, chill and review shows across the country throughout September including Cardiff, Bilston, Birkenhead, Derby, London, Southampton, Otford and Brighton. Hope to see you there!

For a basic introduction to Robin Trower click here.

Robintrowerlive.co.uk is proud of its association with these Trower-related sites:

Steves PlaceTrower Site here   Steves Guestbook here   Official tp.com    Ronnie Kerrigan’s Magic Music House

Pete Thompson Site here   Pete MySpace here   Pete Tour Blog here   Glenn Letsch Site here  

Davey Pattison Site here   Fabulous James Dewar tribute site here  

Feedback? We love feedback. Please send your feedback, opinions and tip-offs by email.

More 2010 News

Classic readers encouraged to rediscover great British guitar hero!

Tommy Udo, writing in Classic Rock magazine’s August 2010 issue, pays tribute to Robin Trower’s ‘pyrotechnic, soulful, acidic rock’ as revisited on the brand new EMI 3CD set A Tale Untold: The Chrysalis Years 1973-1976. Wonderful to see yet more positive press for Robin and his music in the run-up to September’s UK tour!

Bridge of Sighs recognised by Classic Rock magazine!

Robin Trower’s signature album Bridge of Sighs has been listed by Classic Rock Magazine as one of top 50 albums of all time ‘that built Blues Rock’ alongside Live at the Regal (BB King), Are You Experienced (Jimi Hendrix) and Texas Flood (Stevie Ray Vaughan). The mag says ‘Trower’s instrument never spoke as sweetly as on Bridge of Sighs with standouts like Day of the Eagle and Little Bit of Sympathy played with hard rock intensity, offset with sensitivity and soul.’ Methinks our leader will be well chuffed with that!

Tale Untold guides Earth Below into new sonic universe

Check out the remastered For Earth Below album on the new EMI 3CD set and you’ll find some subtle tone changes to the original recordings. The most marked of these include Jimmy’s bass on Shame the Devil and the end of A Tale Untold, some vocal part omissons and additions on Shame the Devil and Its Only Money, and Robin’s guitar sound on Its Only Money and Gonna Be More Suspicious. Can you spot the difference? Or am I just going bonkers? Your views invited here.

‘A Tale Untold’ arrives ... and it’s a joy to behold

The new EMI boxset is here! All three discs come carefully retro-fitted with Chrysalis’ former, bright orange logo and corporate coloured lime green on-body artwork. There’s a simple eight-page track listing booklet containing some rarely seen photos. Aside from one or two minor factual inaccuracies on the box itself, it’s a very tasty package at a very competitive price and definitely one which is going to convert more music fans to the gospel according to Trower, Dewar, Isidore and Lordan! For the full track listing visit Ronnie Kerrigan’s excellent site here!

More Amor!

My thanks to John Waters for the tip-off. Great news folks! Jon Amor’s support slots on the September tour just doubled! In addition to the Bath and Brighton Komedia shows, Jon will also be opening for Robin, Pete, Davey and Glenn at The Brook in Southampton (19 September) and Otford (25 September). Catch up with Jon by visting his official site here!

Tamkin to support Trower band from The Globe to Pacific Road

Rising UK blues star Jay Tamkin and his band will open for the Robin Trower Band on the first three nights of the forthcoming UK tour in September. Jay, who is currently in Germany recording his second album, will play The Globe in Cardiff (Weds 8 Sept) The Robin 2 in Bilston (Thurs 9 Sept) and The Pacific Road Arts Centre in Birkenhead (Fri 10 Sept). In the meantime, check him out on his MySpace site here.

EMI cash in on first five Chrysalis releases

A 3-CD Trower boxset is set for release in the UK on 26 July 2010 featuring Twice Removed From Yesterday, Bridge of Sighs, For Earth Below, Robin Trower Live and Long Misty Days plus bonus tracks. These latest digital masters follow hot on the heels of The Best Of Robin Trower and individual CD remasters of both the first and second albums.

King King Look East

Robin Trower will be supported by King King at The Waterfront gig in Norwich on 15 September 2010. Check out the band, which features lead vocalist and guitarist, Alan Nimmo, on MySpace here.

Dave Arcari On The Bill at the ABC

Robin Trower will be supported by Dave Arcari and his band at Glasgow’s O2 ABC on Staurday 11 September 2010. Check out his MySpace here.

Robin launches his 2010 European Tour on YouTube

Robin says he missed out on playing his own material live in Europe in 2009. Catch his brand new one-minute 22-second interview on YouTube here! Robin reveals that much of the band’s new material from the forthcoming CD release will be making it into the set list for the tour. Yippee! It feels like Living Out Of Time all over again!

Amor’s Komedia from Bath to Brighton!

Trower support stalwart from the 2005 and 2006 UK tours, the excellent Jon Amor will be reunited with Team Trower for shows at the fabulous Komedia venues in Bath (22 September) and Brighton (26 September). This is great news indeed!

Rodent Rockers on the road with Robin

Westcliff-On-Sea rodent rockers, the Hamsters will take on a rare support slot with the Robin Trower Band, according to the official website for the St Ives September 2010 Festival. See here for details.No stranger to Trower fans after their covers of Tear It Up and Over You, the Hamsters will be jumping off the treadmill of their usual feed of ZZ Top and Hendrix to play a special fortieth anniversary Hendrix set at the 23 September show.

Calling all Trower fans in London and the South!

Please help us to spread the word about the RTB’s forthcoming shows in London, Southampton, Bath, Sevenaoks and Brighton by downloading the attached file here. If you live in these areas and are able to help the cause, your assistance would be very much appreciated. The file is printer ready. Simply print out, cut in half to make handy A5 flyers. Please distribute these handbills to outlets in your area e.g. CD and musical instrument  shops, cafes, bars etc.

Aynsley confirmed as O2 Shepherds Bush Empire support act

Aynsley Lister and his band have been confirmed as the support act for the Robin Trower Band’s London show on 18 September, a date which coincides with the fortieth anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s passing. .At the time of writing, rtl.co.uk understands that this will be the ALB’s only support slot on the RTB’s UK tour. This news follows hot on heels of the release of Aynsley’s brand new album Tower Sessions. This fantastic 11-track live recording features a knock-out versionof Crosstown Traffic.

Calling all Trower fans in Scotland, the North West and the Midlands!

Please help us to spread the word about the RTB’s forthcoming shows in Bilston, Birkenhead, Glasgow, Holmfirth and Derby by downloading the attached file here. If you live in these areas and are able to help the cause, your assistance would be very much appreciated. The file is printer ready. Simply print out, cut in half to make handy A5 flyers. Please distribute these handbills to outlets in your area e.g. CD and musical instrument  shops, cafes, bars etc.

Robin plays left hand for Hendrix gig ad

In another spooky twist of fate, an advert appearing in the July 2010 edition of Classic Rock magazine, the UK’s No. 1 rock monthly, a picture taken by New York’s finest, Mr Neil Calandra has been flipped over to show our hero playing left hand. The ad promotes the RTB’s London gig. Curiously the date of the show coincides with the fortieth anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s passing, a tragedy which occured just a few short miles from the venue. See the ad for yourself here.

John sets the set list request rolling
John Deady knows exactly what he would like to hear when Robin and the band walk on stage at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in September. My thanks to John for sending through details of his ‘dream’ setlist: Lady Love; Alethea; Gonna Be More Suspicious; I Can’t Wait Much Longer; Bridge of Sighs; Victims of The Fury; Loves Gonna Bring You Round; Beyond the Mist; Daydream; For Earth Below; Sail On; Long Misty Days; Little Girl; Too Rolling Stoned. Love Won’t Wait Forever; Messin The Blues/Little bit Of Sympathy. Some great choices John! 'Love won't wait forever' has just got to be one of the best Trower tunes ever! I love it. 'Sail On' with its major/minor is a classic too!

A Tale Untold repeats again

My thanks to Gary Haggarty for his tip-off regarding the next EMI Trower digital re-master, a 3CD of the first five albums. Gary writes “these will include single edit versions of 'Day Of the Eagle', 'Long Misty Days', b-side 'Take A Fast Train' and, more interestingly, the magnificent and sadly neglected 'Let Me Be the One'. For the complete low-down check out Ronnie Kerrigan’s excellent website The Magic Music House here.

Southampton show slots in on spare Sunday

The roster for the UK tour has taken another step towards finalisation with the news that Robin and the band will play The Brook in Southampton on Sunday 19 September. This is great news for fans on the south coast especially as this fantastic venue has been a fixture on the band’s gig list since 2005. Elsewhere, some sad news. It would appear that the show at the Queens Hall in Barnstaple is now off. Also the Sevenoaks gig has been moved to nearby Otford.

UK tribute band expands online operations

Kidderminster-based, tribute band Trower Power has just launched a brand new website here. The new presence goes beyond the band’s existing mySpace site with new features and information including how to get hold of one of the band’s tasty new T-shirts! These are interesting times for the West Midlands quartet . On 30 May the band will play the top venue in the region, The Robin 2 in Bilston supporting the number one UK Hendrix tribute act Are You Experienced!

Coming 5 May 2010 ... Lister Live Album

Aynsley Lister proved to be a firm favourite with Trower fans all over the country with his fabulous support slot on the 2008 RTB UK tour. In advance of the RTB’s return, Manhaton Records are releasing the Tower Sessions on 5 May. It’s a live album featuring the latest and greatest live Lister licks. To promote the release, which is available now on pre-order, Aynsley plays The Tower in Winchester on 28 May. Tickets are £12 on sale now online or from 08444 771 000. He’s playing The Jazz Cafe too on 3 June.

9 March 2010: Happy Birthday Robin!

Very best wishes to Robin and his family on the occasion of his sixty fifth birthday! In the UK, male residents reaching this milestone normally qualify for the state retirement pension, having already enjoyed five years of free bus travel. Yet our hero shows no sign of retiring just yet! Happy birthday Robin from all your fans here in the UK!

Love the album ... now Reid the words

Check out my lyrics page on the album that brought Robin back to these shores to live, record and tour. Celebrating 30 years of Victims of the Fury check out the verses here including several lyrics contributed by Robin’s former Procol Harum bandmate, Keith Reid.

The day Robin, Jimmy and Bill made the final at Wembley

A five-date mini tour across the UK for the RTB culminated in a final show at Wembley Empire Pool on 5 March 1976.  Coinciding with the release of Robin Trower Live, it was the show that confirmed Robin Trower’s superstar status in his home country. Click here to read the write-up of the gig published by the leading music press title of the day, Melody Maker.

Twice arrives!

The UK remaster of the first Trower album - Twice Removed From Yesterday - is out! Remastered by Andrew Thompson and  released by B.G.O. Records with sleeve notes written by John O’Regan, it sounds absolutely wonderful. Thank you, B.G.O!

New book tells of timely Trower tie-up

Harry Shapiro’s excellent Jack Bruce book makes compulsive reading. On sale now from most good bookshops and online retailers, this authorised biography makes several references to Robin Trower during the course of 300 highly entertainling pages. Find out why Jack preferred B.L.T. to Truce and why Gary Husband was never happy with his performances with Jack until Seven Moons!. 

Shepherd’s Bush tickets go on sale from 20 February

Tickets for what could be one of Robin Trower’s most important shows ever go on sale this Saturday, 20 February from 12noon. Once again my thanks to John Waters for this tip-off!

One more date to go? In the City where they know how to party?

This September’s UK tour is virtually complete and will see Robin and the band undertaking three sets of five back-to-back shows [from Wednesdays to Sundays inclusive]. With 14 dates announced already, just one date remains - Sunday 19 Sept. Shows in the great cities of Glasgow, London and Newcastle are booked. So what’s missing?

Show 14 announced in home town of the Mighty Rams!

Taking a break from their usual East Midlands stomping ground of the city of Nottingham, Robin and the band will play The Assembly Halls in Derby on Friday, 17 September.

Robin returns to the Capital to celebrate Jimi’s passing?

My thanks to John Waters for this interesting story. When James Marshall Hendrix sadly passed away on 18 September 1970, the world lost one of its brightest stars! Exactly 40 years on, to the day - 18 September 2010, Robin Trower will play Shepherds Bush Empire in London. What is the probability factor of this being just a coincidence? What say you? Will it be Song for a Dreamer rather than Sinner’s Song? Wow! Let’s hope Laurie packs the wah-wah! Oh yes please! The Ring, Too Rolling Stoned, Climb Above The Rooftops, Caledonia, Into The Flame, Farther On Up The Road ...

Procol Fans Celebrating 40 Years Home Beyond The Pale

The Union Square Music / Salvo CD reissue of the fourh Procol Harum album Home is proving to be a real treat with its 20-page insert booklet cramped full of information, classic ads, music press reviews and rare photos [including one of RT playing bass]. Keeping the faith to this day, ‘Beyond The Pale’is a veritable online treasure trove for Procol and Trower fans alike. Check out this excellent site here! There’s a great page dedicated to Robin Trower. RTB 2010 too! Cheers Roland!

OFFICIAL Trower You Tube Channel now online

A series of six two-minute video vignettes promoting the release of What Lies Beneath are the launch clips for a brand new Trower TV station broadcasting on You Tube. Sign up as a subscriber today and view these excellent clips. Please note: several of which were not posted on tp.com. A Request? This is something which would be well worth repeating while the new CD is being recorded. How about it?

20 years in the Line of Fire
In The Line of Fire contains many great songs. Extravagantly produced by Eddy Kramer, the album proved to be something of a watershed for all sorts of reasons. Nevertheless, many of the songs such as Climb Above The Rooftops, Evry Bodys Watching You Now, Turn The Volume Up and Sea of Love all made it onto the live set lists of the 1989-91 period. While it would be great for fans to hear these songs again live, I have my doubts whether Robin will look kindly on them? One song certainly worthy of a return, for me, would be If You Really Want To Find Love.

UK & US remaster releases Twice Removed

Digital remasters of the first Trower album are set for release on both sides of the Atlantic. BGO records in the UK release their straight nine track remaster on 1 March. In the States, a remaster CD, released on 6 April by Iconclassic, will come with ‘Take A Fast Chain’ as the bonus track.

Good news travels fast!
The full glory of the planned 2010 UK tour should not be underestimated. It is much more than Trower fans, here in the UK, could have possibly hoped for and brings the total number of tours here, since 2005, to [fabulous] five!
A lot of hard work still needs to happen, not least making sure that all lovers of high quality, blues-infused guitar music buy their tickets. Let us do our bit to ensure this tour becomes the commercial success it deserves to be! Please help us to spread the word! My thanks to Tom White for the tip-off. This is how the news broke over here online. Thank you  classic  and planet

1980 Flashback: Trower, Dewar Lordan Storm UK!

This month sees the thirtieth anniversary of the 15-date Victims of the Fury UK tour. Kicking off on 23 January 1980 in Plymouth, the tour culminated in a blistering show at  City Hall in Newcastle. Relive the memory by taking up the story from here! If you have a memory of any show from that UK tour that you would be willing to share, do please drop me a line here. Thank you!

UK Tour 2010: Shows in Somerset and Cornwall added

Further net trawling reveals Robin Trower will play Komedia in Bath on Wednesday 22 September and The Guildhall, St Ives on Thursday 23 September.

Robin Trower UK Tour September 2010

The first two dates have been announced. Robin will play Glasgow’s O2 ABC on Saturday 11 September and The Picturedrome in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire on Sunday, 12 September 2010. Tickets are also available online from Seetickets.

We will bring you news of more dates once they are discovered!erful package t

Original BBC Recording restored and reissued

When CD label Windsong International released the ‘BBC Radio 1 Live In Concert’ CD in 1992 they tampered with the recording, hideously adding somewhat  exaggerated audience noise and applause. The overdubbed recording sounded more like Shea Stadium than London’s Paris Theatre. I am delighted to say that the original recording from 29 January 1975 has now been restored to its original state and reissued digitally. To download this fabulous music visit iTunes and other sellers.

2010 looks promising for Aynsley Lister

2009 was a busy year for Aynsley Lister and his band and culminated in a major headline UK tour. Catch our review of the band’s show at the magnifcient Stables, Wavendon, near Milton Keynes here.

Jon Amor returns in UK hoax

The Robin Trower Bands touring buddy from 2005-06, Jon Amor is reuniting with his former band members for shows across the UK throughout December 2009. The tour will bring The original Hoax line-up of Amor, Barrett, Coltman, Davey and Davey.back together again. Catch it if you can. For dates and details, visit Jons website here. 

 2009 News Archive

24-date live Lister for November and December 2009 across the UK!

No stranger to Trower fans, Aynsley Lister will be appearing at a venue near you between now and mid-December. This site will be reviewing the bands show at The Stables, Wavendon. To view the Lister tour poster click here. For more information visit his official site here.

Classic gives BHT Live CD thumbs up.

Writing in Classic Rocks November 2009 issue, reviewer Mick Wall describes Seven Moons Live as  - no mere stroking of musical egos but a serious musical endeavour by master craftsmen. Giving the release a 7 out of 10 rating, Wall goes on to say - if they had thrown in a version of Bridge of Sighs too this would be almost the perfect blues-rock night out.

Aynsley turns on the Sunshine at the Beeb

RTB support act from 2008, Aynsley Lister treated listeners to a splendid session on a recent Paul Jones Monday night show on Radio 2. Broadcast on 26 October, the highlight was a truly sensational solo performance of the Bill Withers classic Ain’t No Sunshine. I do hope he plays this in his live set. To see some pictures taken at the session visit the Paul Jones Show website here.

What Lies Beneath: 8 out of 10

Hugh Fielder, reviewing Robins 2009 studio album, says - Trower deals in moods and atmospheres, mining the broad seam between blues and rock. Writing for the October 2009 issue of Classic Rock magazine, Fielder adds - his weathered voice wont win prizes but its expressive, which is all that matters, and its used sparingly because his guitar is really doing the singing.

UK Trower tribute tops triple bill in the West Midlands

Mike Smiths Trower Power tribute tower in triumph at Kidderminsters Chainwire Club alongside Lizzy and Hendrix to win new fans for the music of The Robin Trower Band. Read our full report click here!

Trower: One of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time!
Get your copy of the September issue of Classic Rock now!. In it you will find Robins name in a list [created by 100 of the world’s greatest living guitarists invited by the magazine] alongside Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page, BB King and many more.
      Robin is nominated by none other than guitar wizard Paul Gilbert, of Mr Big fame. In the article, Paul states  - my interest in Robin Trower began through hearing Day of he Eagle on the radio at the age of 14!” Check it out.

Rare Caledonia clip now online!
To my knowledge, Robin has never played Caledonia live in the UK outside the capital [October 1976]. And yet, it remains today as one of the top Trower band tunes, fans love the most! If only we could get to hear it, next time round.
      In the meantime, a kind fan, presumably from the States, has posted a live audio cut of the song in concert from January 1977. It features Robin with Rustee Allen, Bill Lordan and the most incredible vocal from the great James Dewar. Enjoy it now

BHT featured on Classic Rock Cover CD

It is marvellous to see The Last Door from the brand new Seven Moons Live appearing on Classic Rock magazines free cover CD [September 2009 issue]. The magazine reaches over 70,000 readers each month and is bound to win Robin many new fans. An excellent PR move!

The Empire strikes back ... on camera

Lifelong Trower fan, John Waters was at Wednesday nights gig in London. Here is a sneak snapshot of some of his pictures here.

Jack, Robin and Gary return home in triumph!

For our full review of BTHs homecoming at the Shepherds Bush Empire on Wednesday 5 August, click here.

Magic of Nijmegen concert captured for all time on dazzling DVD release

If you haven’t already ordered your copy of the brand new Seven Moons Live DVD, do so now. Filmed on 28 February 2009 by Dutch View, the 14-track DVD captures Jack, Robin and Garys best performances of the night and just gets better the longer you watch it. The film captures the very special chemistry which exists between the three master musicians. The solo blues sections of tracks such as Bad Case of Celebrity and Come to me will stop you in your tracks. 

Memories of Woodstock Festival Cancelled

At the eleventh hour, the organisers have been forced to cancel this event scheduled for 7-9 August in Shewsbury. Jack, Robin and Gary were due to headline Saturday’s line-up after Asia pulled out. For further information visit the organiser’s website here.

Joanne steps up for Empire and Academy support slots

Soulful English blues guitarist and singer Joanne Shaw Taylor will open for BTH at their shows in London and Glasgiow, this August. It promises to be a great warm-up set. For a taster of things to come, log onto Joanne’s excellent myspace site here for some sound samples including the captivating Just another word..

Catch The Pete Thompson Tour Blog

RTB drummer Pete Thompson is keeping a daily blog of life on the road from the current leg of the bands USA tour. This essential, informative and entertaining read is highly recommended. Do check it out and send your comments back to Pete!

BTH Tour Update: Edinburgh makes it England 2 Scotland 2!

Jack, Robin and Gary have added a fourth show to their mini UK tour, this summer.  The show takes place on Friday, 7 August at the Queens Hall, Edinburgh as part of the City’s Jazz and Blues Festival. Click here for details.

It is here! New arrivals ... a new album with new musicians

Such a wonderful package to wake up to! What Lies Beneath arrives in the morning post! The album, produced by NOTG bassman Livingstone Brown at Mill Studios, Godalming, Surrey, England, features Livvy on bass with Sam Van Essen [eight tracks in total] and Chris Taggart [on three tracks] on drums, Roger Cotton on organ and Andrew Haveron and Clare Hinton on strings [with string parts arranged by Livvy].

Lister Band Join Lynyrd Skynyrd on UK Tour

One year on from his ground-breaking support slot on the last Robin Trower Band UK Tour, rising British guitarist blues guitarist, Aynsley Lister and his band have been scouted by Lynyrd Skynyrd to warm-up audiences on their forthcoming UK shows at the end of May. For details visit Aynsley Lister website here.

WANTED! Any wannabe James Dewars or Davey Pattisons out there?

Trower Power, the UKs only RTB tribute act, are on the look-out for a new vocalist. Specialising in the Bridge of Sighs / Live-era sound and setlist, TP are based in the West Midlands. Interested? Know someone who could take on this challenge? For more details contact Mike on 07749 836 641 or email the band here. You will also find the band on MySpace and Facebook! Festival appearances and gigs booked for 2009...

Classic Rock honours Reg Isidore

A big vote of thanks to the editorial team at Classic Rock magazine. In the June 2009 issue of the mag on page 16, their regular R.I.P. feature is headed by a short piece about Reg Isidore.

Trower ties up with Livingstone Brown for new studio release

In a surprise move, our hero has been reunited with bassist-turned-producer Livingstone Brown for the 20th Trower studio release. What Lies Beneath is available on pre-order online here.

Reg Isidore [1949-2009]

It is with great sadness that we must report the passing of Reg Isidore, The Robin Trower Bands drummer on the first two, seminal albums. More.

Mother Glasgow completes BTH trio of UK dates

Trower fans north of the border will get the chance to see their hero in action with Jack Bruce and Gary Husband. Complementing shows in London and Shrewsbury, the BTH trio will play Glasgow’s O2 Academy on Thursday, 6 August 2009. For details click here.

BTH to relive Memories of Woodstock at West Midlands Showground

Jack Bruce, Robin Trower and Gary Husband will be supporting headliners Asia on the second day of the three-day Memories of Woodstock Festival on Saturday 8 August 2009 at the West Midlands Showground in Shrewsbury. Day tickets are £36 with weekend tickets, just £100. Other weekend attractions include Alvin Lee, Focus, Jethro Tull and Strawbs. For details visit the Festival site here.

Dewar Unsung Hero in Classic 50 Greatest Singers in Rock

The May 2009 issue of Classic Rock devotes an entire page to James Dewar of its 20-page 50 greatest feature. Headed The Unsung Hero, the article quotes Robin Trower on the great Scot’s best performances - I like For Earth Below particularly - says Trower - Another one would be Somebody Calling. That is one of my real, real favourites. To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mag today. On news stands now! [Thanks for the tip-off Dunc!]

Trower 1973: Two years spent searching for Reg and Jimmy

An Isidore-inspired treasure hunt, deep into the RTB archives unravels a hidden gem from Melody Maker April 1973 written by Mark Plummer. Post-Jude and blazing a trail with the then recently released album Twice Removed from Yesterday, our hero hails the coming of Isidore and Dewar - the original Robin Trower Band. Enjoy!

Also, from June 1974, a Melody Maker meet the band special.

BHT to play three UK shows in August 2009

According to Gary Husbands excellent MySpace site, the drummer will be hooking up again with Robin and Jack Bruce for 11 summer shows. The schedule listed kicks off in Italy on 23 July and culminates in three UK shows: 5 August [Shepherd’s Bush Empire]; 6 August [tbc]; and 8 August [Shrewsbury].

Bruce Husband Trower Live in Nijmegen

Wow!  Oh What a night! Trower Bruce Husband like you've never heard them before ... Read the full report here!

Nijmegen Travelogue

A quick selection of photos taken by John Waters on the recent trip to Nijmegen here!

33 years on from The Empire

Is it really 33 years since Robin, James and Bill signed off their sell-out UK tour promoting Robin Trower Live with a sensational show at the Wembley Empire Pool? The date was 5 March 1976. Take a trip down Memory Lane by checking out a review of the show here.

Blistering new album from Aynsley Lister
Equilibrium is the fabulous new album from rising British blues rock guitarist Aynsley Lister. Trower fans will love it especially Listers overdriven Strat on tracks such as Times Up, Running out on Me and Hurricane. The album gets off to a dream start with Soul, a number showcased in the support set on the road with the RTB, in May 2008. Not to be missed! Check it out! Aynsley and his band will be on tour throughout the UK during April and May 2009. Click here for details.

In praise of Air Berlin, Hertz and Mercure Nijmegen
Making the short trip over to the mainland is easy. There is plenty of choice when it comes to landing points, sight-seeing choices and timings [Pic: a mini tour of Wuppertal industrial heritage as led by my companions Martin Hughes and John Waters. Cheers guys!]. It is just like being at home really, only smarter, cheaper and cleaner. The service is excellent. Everyone speaks your language exquisitely [like you wished you spoke theirs]. On the roads, prepare to expect the unexpected - a completely different kind of driving experience. We found nothing but calm, considerate and courteous drivers. Nothing like being at home, at all!    

Trower Power rocks Worcester 23 January 2009

There may be only one more farewell tour to come from the real Robin Trower band but fans in the UK now have another way of hearing the great mans music played live. More

Tribute tune news from Redwood City!

Roland Kurz has emailed with news of five Trower covers I certainly wasn’t aware of.  I have added these to the list. There are two more unusual selections in I Can’t Stand It covered by Jake E. Lee [2005] and the Sunset Heights rendition of Man of the World [1995]. Many thanks, Roland. If anyone out there knows of any other recorded versions of Trower songs do write and tell me and I will post the information on this site.

Karen calls for Caledonia and others on set list for next UK tour!

Further to the news item on my site some months ago, UK fan Karen W has written in with her suggestions. First and foremost, Karen says - I would really like to hear the band play About to Begin. It’s such a slow atmospheric song - Good choice Karen! Other requests are: I Want to Take You with Me; This Blue Love; Only Time; Caledonia and Messin’ the Blues. So UK fans what would you like to see included on the setlist for the next UK tour? Do write and tell me!

UK Trower Band play Worcester 23 January 2009!
Trower Power, who performed their inaugural concert on New Years Eve, play The Marrs Bar in Worcester on Friday 23 January [on stage at 8pm] supporting rising British blues star, Larry Miller and his band. For more info on the band, click here. In the meantime, if you are aware of any other UK-based Trower cover bands out there, do please let me know.
 

Tommo now online

Congratulations and best wishes to Pete and Angie Thompson on their recent wedding! We look forward to toasting this fabulous news with you both on your return here for the next UK tour. In the meantime, one instantaneous result from their union has been the delivery of a brand new website celebrating our favourite drummers illustrious and eclectic musical career. Check it out and do not forget to leave a message for Pete on his Guestbook.

UK Tour Set List Requests
Which tunes should Robin and the band be looking to bring into the frame for the next UK Tour? Since 2005, songs from both Bridge of Sighs and For Earth Below have fared well, less so, albums such as Long Misty Days, In City Dreams or Victims of the Fury. A recent poll by Canadian maestro Steve Shail on his site Steves Place fingered Alethea for a comeback, next time. But what would you like to hear? Your thoughts on this, setting out your reasons, would be most gratefully received by email, for posting on this site!

Get your Equilibrium Two Months Early

Hot on the heels of his outstanding stint on tour with The Robin Trower Band in 2008, Aynsley Lister has a brand new CD Equilibrium out soon. Although not in the shops until March time, you can pre-order a copy online now here. All advanced orders will be shipped out within a few days of the end of the month.

Bruce Trower & Husband to take Seven Moons into orbit!

For a few nights only, Robin and Jack will get to play live together for the first time ever in late February 2009. Teaming up with Level 42 sticksman, Gary Husband, they are due to play shows in Karlsruhe [25Feb at Tollhaus], Cologne [26 Feb at Kantine] and Nijmegen [28 Feb at Concertgebouw De Vereeniging]. Once again, I will be teaming up with ‘Steves Place’ to bring you detailed coverage of at least one of the shows!

Richard Watts: Radiation alert!

Browsing the iTunes store the other day, I chanced upon a six-track CD recorded by Richard Watts. Radiate, released in 2004, finds our Richard in great form and showcases his astute song writing talent and gorgeous vocal style. It is a worthy addition to any CD collection. Check it out! You will also find more info on Richard on his myspace page here! [And if you need a classy covers band try here!]

Trower mega-Watts from Sweden 2005

A new CD Sweden Rock Festival Best of 2005-06 Volume 3 features a rare live version of Day of the Eagle. To my knowledge, it is the only commercially available CD to contain a live recording of the band as fronted by Richard Watts. Other acts showcased include Ted Nugent, Molly Hatchet, Sammy Hagar, Vixen, The Sweet, Alice Cooper and many more. Available from most online sellers including iTunes.

Dedicated to Jimmy

Carl Kennedy has published a website celebrating the life and works of James Dewar. The essential voice of The Robin Trower Band during the 1970s and early 1980s, Jimmy is one of the greatest singers in rock of all time! The site, published with the blessing and support of members of the Dewar family, is a welcome tribute to the man and his music. To visit the site click here.

Steve Stevens Trower Tribute on Classic Rock Cover CD

Billy Idol axemans neat rendition of Day of the Eagle is featured on the September 2008 issue of Classic Rock magazines cover CD. Featuring vocals by Doug Pinnick of Kings X, the track is one of nine all-time rock classics [Jump, Black Night, Lamb lies down on Broadway etc.] as lovingly recorded by the likes of The Answer, Paul Gilbert and Heart. For more information on Trower tributes, visit our brand new Covers page here.

Husband booked for post Valentine’s Day affair with Bruce and Trower

He may be on the Eve of a month-long fling with the UK’s foremost funk pop outfit - Level 42 - but drummer Gary Husband has reserved ten days in late February 2009 for a set of dates with Robin Trower and Jack Bruce, according to Gary’s own myspace website! So, consider yourself booked too from 21 Feb to March 2!

Many thanks to Jeffrey Platt for the tip-off! Posted August 2008.

EXCLUSIVE REVIEW! John’s pictures from the show now added.

Reg Isidore pops above the radar and surfaces live on stage in London. John Waters heads off south of the river to check it out! Read John’s review here!

Some other kind person has also posted some video of Gus and Reggie performing at a further gig, this time in Chislehurst. Watch it here!

Robin Trower and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Robin’s name has been added to the list of artists on the Future Rock Hall site who are eligible for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ronnie Kerrigan says the more comments Robin generates, the greater the exposure! It will help to raise his profile and may attract new fans and supporters. So come on folks. Let’s make his rock God status official. Please use this link to make your voice heard on the site.

Visit our news page archive 2008-2005

You will find information on the Robin Trower Bands last four UK tours (all within the last five years) by visiting these pages on my site: Spring 2005 : Autumn 2005 ; Spring 2006; Spring 2008.

Other pages on this Trower site: The Songs ; The Albums (vintage press reviews) ; What the fans say ; Fans photo gallery.

If you have any info or comments please get in touch by e-mail.

First realised in March 2005, robintrowerlive.co.uk is a howardtowers production.