I first became aware of Robin Trower and his music when he rocked up at Braintree College of Further Education in Essex in 1974. The posters around the campus said the band members were ex Procol Harum, Stone The Crows and Quiver. Such a combination of talent seemed quite intriguing and well worth a look, especially as Bob Harris and the BBC's OGWT crew had arrived to film and record the show for posterity. However, the Principle of the college, in his
infinite wisdom, had other ideas and refused point-blank to allow this on the grounds that it may disturb we poor students - how times have changed!
A year later a chance encounter with a guitarist in a Chelmsford pub band  led to a rather interesting meeting. The guitarist told us he was a personal friend of Robin's and he'd introduce us to him if we turned up the following week, we were initially dubious to say the least, but took him at his word and duly showed up again seven days later. Sure enough Mr Trower was there and we had our introduction; he was charm itself. As an added bonus he jammed on a number with the house band - well, we stumbled out at closing time absolutely stunned. Not only had we met our favourite guitarist, but we got to see him play as well, at close quarters, absolutely free! What you need to remember is at this time, summer '75, his star in America was rising at a phenomenal rate, with gold albums and massive stadium tours on-going.  It was quite extraordinary, because the man we met was so humble and unassuming. Over the course of the next few weeks we got to see him several
times in that pub, each time he acknowledged us - and happily jammed whenever invited to do so - shortly after that we were invited to be his guests at the Reading Festival.
  Reading in the mid seventies was brilliant, 100,000 sell-out crowd and a very guitar-orientated bill to boot - that Sunday afternoon we got to see Soft Machine (featuring a then, virtually unknown, Allan Holdsworth), The Climax Blues Band led by Peter Haycock, playing some lovely slide on a
beautiful black strat, John McLaughlin in a trimmed down Mahavishnu Orchestra - they'd dispensed with the violinist by then - and eventually Mr Trower. Not surprisingly Robin stole the show; received an amazing response from the crowd and then made the front cover of SOUNDS the following Wednesday. Allied to all of this I got to meet and have a long chat with Robert Fripp, who'd turned up just to see Robin's set, as he (Robin) didn't arrive till mid afternoon and Mr Fripp didn't wish to sit in a trailer on his own, he hung around outside and spoke at length to those of us wearing Trower T-shirts, guest passes and badges... and what an interesting man he turned out to be! I still have some photo's from that afternoon (as well as my guest pass and the 'THINK TROWER' badge which were both supplied by  Robin's brother, who was at that time his
road manager).

  I can also vividly recall Mr Dewar and Maggie Bell, deep in conversation, as they strolled
around the backstage area together...heady times indeed!

photos by John Kerrigan

It was a ‘Fine Day’ and a ‘Fine Night’.
After attending gigs on the first leg of the ‘Living Out Of Time’ tour, it was great to see the set list for the second leg had been changed by Robin. This impacted on two levels: Robin, Dave, Pete and Davey appeared revitalised by the new set; and the crowd were noticeably jubilant to be given the opportunity to hear diverse songs from Robin’s extensive back catalogue.
No Alethea, The Fool and Me, Take What You Need (From Me), Over You, Blue For Soul, Living out of time, I want to take you with me, Back It Up, Rock Me Baby  . . . but, as the saying goes, ‘you can’t have everything'.
From the opening number it was patent the volume level was 10 and rising, as evidenced by the opening chord sequence of ‘Twice Removed From Yesterday’.  It was great to see this song performed live and with such power. The acoustics of the venue were evidently problematic; causing reverberation difficulties not helpful to the band or audience. The band really took off during the next song ‘Hannah’ (the sound more evenly balanced) Robin playing in his usual passionate and emotional manner, supported by Dave’s strong bass lines, great drumming from Pete, and incredible vocals from Davey.
Following ‘Roads to Freedom’ the opening chord of ‘Fine Day’ took the concert to a new level. It has got to be one of the best songs Robin has written; the heavier sound and rhythm ‘live’ transcends the recorded version which I feel to be a little on the gentle side.  Robin’s guitar playing reached new heights of emotion and soulfulness during the lead breaks in this song. I felt exhausted when it finished! A true gem.
I was surprised how good ‘Victims of the Fury’ sounded; a great version – stronger rhythm, emotion and Robin using the wah pedal to great affect during the chorus and leads. Next was ‘Too Rolling Stoned’ and the band was really in sync. Robin using his arsenal of techniques to great affect i.e. string bends, use of feedback and tremolo arm, arpeggios, long sustained notes - which have to be seen ‘live’ to be believed. Other ‘highlights’ were ‘Another Time Another Place’ showing Davey’s vocal prowess at its finest, with Robin’s guitar fill-ins enhancing the mood of the song; and a scorching version of ‘Little Bit of Sympathy’.