A Trower career summary • 16 June 2009

Robin Trower achieved success with Procul [sic] Harum during the 1960s, and then again as the leader of his own power trio. In 1962 Trower’s first professional group was the Rhythm and Blues band the Paramounts; which included drummer BJ Wilson, pianist Gary Brooker and Bassist Chris Copping (later replaced by Diz Derrick). In 1967 after the Paramounts’ breakup; Trower joined Procul [sic] Harem [sic]. They were [sic] a progressive rock band best known for their 1967 hit single A Whiter Shade of Pale.

Trower's first venture alone was a Zeppelin-influenced four-piece called Jude. The band featured ex-Jethro Tull drummer Clive Bunker, bassist James Dewar (of Stone the Crows) and pub-rocker Frankie Miller. However, Jude never managed to record an album. Trower played a few solo gigs before signing with Chrysalis in 1973, and releasing his début album Twice Removed From Yesterday. In 1974 Trower released his magnum opus Bridge of Sighs, which was recently re-mastered and rereleased in 2007. His newest release is a live two-disc set titled RT @ RO 08. The live performance is from last year’s concert at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. The CD set also includes bonus footage from the show. Come join us for Robin Trower’s return to Royal Oak!

For more information on Robin Trower visit his website. Robin Trower will arrive at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on 20 June 2009. Tickets are on sale now at the Royal Oak Music Theatre Box Office, all Tickets.com outlets: for more information visit www.romtlive.com

Gary Graff in the Oakland Daily Tribune (online)

Read through the coding of British guitarist Robin Trower's new live album RT@RO-08 and you'll see it is, in fact, a document of his March 2008 concert at the Royal Oak Music Theatre.

"It was a place we enjoyed playing the last time we were there, so when the opportunity came to record (the live album), that was a factor," said Trower, 64, who came to prominence as the original guitarist for Procol Harum before going solo in 1973. "There were a lot of songs in the set that had never been recorded live, and it was our usually really good performance.

"That's what you want to capture, really. We have a very high standard every night. We really try to get something going."

RT@RO-08 isn't Trower's only release this year, however. He's also recorded a new studio album, What Lies Beneath, that features eleven new songs, many co-written with bassist Livingston Brown, who also produced the album. Trower calls it "probably the most 'me' album I've ever made," tapping into an ethereal flavor the mixes with the blues and rock styles he's become known for.

"It has a lot of who I am as a creative musician," notes Trower, adding that he has "almost enough material for another album," too. "I think the music you make is the gift you're born with. Composition, being able to write and to create music, is what it's all about.

"That's why I thought this title for the album was appropriate. Your creativity, that's really where it comes from — from within."

Robin Trower live on 16 June 2009 ... note the Omnipresent Paler at 2.08 (thanks, Gary)

Robin Trower's page at BtP