Robin Trower
By: Ray Anton
Englishman Robin Trower’s musical career spans several decades, marked by his distinctive guitar playing and blues-influenced rock sound. He is best known for his work as a solo artist and also for his contributions to the band Procol Harum. Trower’s musical journey started in the early 1960s playing in many bands before connecting with Procol Harum in 1967, where his expressive and powerful guitar style got him noticed. Trower was a member of Procol Harum until 1971, during which the band produced several albums, including their most popular song ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’. Trower left the band in 1971 to pursue a solo career, releasing his debut album Twice Removed from Yesterday in 1973. His sound evolved into a heavy blues-rock style, that had a focus on emotional, soaring guitar solos. His most famous album, Bridge of Sighs released in 1974, is known as a classic of the era, featuring songs like ‘Day of the Eagle’ and ‘Bridge of Sighs’ that cemented his place in the realm of guitar greats. Trower's music went through some phases throughout the 1980s and 1990s, with some albums incorporating more polished, radio-friendly style, and with others he delved back into his roots in blues and rock.
Trower continues to tour and release new material, maintaining a loyal fan base and critical respect for his guitar work and live performances. He did have to cancel his 2024 tour in June due to a serious health issue that required surgery and rehab. Lucky for his fans, he was able to get back to touring this year. He kicked off his 2025 tour on the Rock Legends Cruise February 13 on the Independence of the Seas out of the Port of Miami. Even luckier for his fans in Florida, he scheduled a few dates in the Sunshine State after the cruise. The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on Friday night February 21 was the place to catch the legend’s return to the road. The show started at 7:30 with local Blues artist Joel Dasilva warming up the crowd with some 
solo acoustic original blues tunes. Dasilva has been tearing up many of the local venues with his band the last several years as well as releasing several albums. He finished his catchy blues tunes by switching to an electric guitar and closing out his 30 minute set with ‘Get Rhythm’, originally done by Johnny Cash. Dasilva definitely got the crowd going.
At 8:30 the lights went out and on strolled bassist/vocalist Richard Watts, drummer Chris Taggart and the man of the hour himself, Robin Trower. The power trio went right into ‘The Razor’s Edge’. They followed that up with what had been the popular show opener ‘Too Rolling Stoned’. The group was musically solid and energetic. They would pause between songs occasionally only long enough for Trower to thank the audience. There were no long-winded stories or chit chat. These guys came to lay down the blues and did just that. The nearly hour and a half set included crowd favorites ‘Day of the Eagle’, ‘Bridge of Sighs’, ‘Daydream’, and ‘Somebody Calling’. Several of the tunes brought the near capacity crowd to its feet. The band ended the set with another classic, ‘Little bit of Sympathy’. Trower and his bandmates took a few bows, thanked the crowd and walked off stage. Less than two minutes later, they were back on and finished the show with ‘Birdsong’. Nearly everyone in attendance sent them off with a standing ovation.
Trower displayed his signature sound that combines a deep blues influence with a unique use of space and tone, with a style somewhat similar to legendary Jimi Hendrix. He is and will always be a respected icon in rock and blues music.
