Robin Trower ‘Bridge of Sighs’ Anniversary Tour

NEWTON — Famed guitarist Robin Trower will bring his ‘Bridge of Sighs’ 40th Anniversary Tour to the Newton Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m.

The Robin Trower story started in the mid 60s when he began his recording career in the Southend rhythm and blues band the Paramounts. But the first time Trower truly surfaced on rock’n’roll’s radar was in 1967, with Procol Harum — house band of the Summer of Love. Though not on their mega-hit "A Whiter Shade Of Pale," he completed five albums and many tours with them before breaking away for a solo career in 1971.

He rates leaving "the best career decision I ever made," but admits that "the big break for me was Gary Brooker getting me to join Procol. That opened up the whole world. Without that I would never been able to go on and do what I’ve done."

Trower modeled his band on the power-trio blueprint of Cream and Taste, as well as the Jimi Hendrix Experience. His atmospheric, effects-laden Stratocastering brought inevitable initial comparisons with Hendrix, but he quickly made his own mark. Robin along with the vocal talents of James Dewar, a hard-living Scot, whose voice will always be associated with the Robin Trower Band proved to be a musical powerhouse.

Robin soon found himself outselling Procol by a considerable factor as he tuned in to the heavier zeitgeist of a new decade, his second album, "Bridge Of Sighs" reached the Top 10 in the States. 2014 is the 40th anniversary of the release of "Bridge of Sighs," and is being marked by several celebrations, including this tour.

The success of Bridge of Sighs gave Robin the freedom to explore musically such great collections as ‘In City Dreams’ and ‘Caravan to Midnight’ showing Robin’s maturing song writing abilities.

His most current album "Roots and Branches" is Robin’s indie release, with a mix of covers — the roots — and new material — the branches.

On this current tour his power trio includes Richard Watts on bass and vocals, and Chris Taggart on drums.

Tickets for Robin Trower are $49 for premium seating, $44 for orchestra and $39 for balcony. Purchase tickets by visiting www.thenewtontheatre.com or contact the box Office at 973-383-3700.

The historic Newton Theatre, located at 234 Spring Street in Newton.