Robin Trower Headed to Texas in June

It was in April 1974 that English guitar hero Robin Trower unveiled his career high-watermark, Bridge of Sighs. The sophomore effort cracked the Top 10 and nearly made him a household name by notching an impressive 31 weeks on the U.S. charts.

Trower is another of one of my personal guitar heroes and, he's headed our way in June.

First, a little Robin Trower history. The last time the guitarist had enjoyed so much success was as a member of Procol Harum, which he joined in 1967 shortly after their smash, "A Whiter Shade of Pale," was recorded.

But after a spell of albums that reached the Top 40, Trower decided in 1971 to strike out on his own. He assembled his own band, backed by drummer Reg Isidore and former Frankie Miller bassist James Dewar, who also took on lead vocal duties.

Together, the threesome made a very positive first impression with 1973’s Twice Removed from Yesterday, but it was Bridge of Sighs that saw their individual talents gelling to perfection in 1974. In so doing, they seduced hundreds of thousands of rock fans to the tune of a gold certification in America.

For all of Procol Harum's forward-looking symphonic rock, Bridge of Sighs was, ironically, a throwback to the '60s. Even if it was behind the the times, their Cream and Jimi Hendrix Experience-inspired power trio lineup nonetheless resonated, particularly on the LP bookends, "Day of the Eagle" and "Little Bit of Sympathy," and the unapologetically Free-ish "Lady Love."

Curently out on tour with rave reviews everywhere he goes, Trower will be playing a few Texas dates in June. June 4th he'll be at the House of Blues in Houston; June 6th he'll play the Aztec Theater in San Antonio and, June 7th at One World Theater in Austin.