Robin Trower- Midnight Special 11/25/77

[@BluesLicks101]

I first said it almost half a century ago - Jimmy Dewar is among the 5 greatest blues-rock singers of all time. His illness & death was such a tragic loss to music.

[@jlprince7201]

⁸ u77 is it 8 huh y

[@mattsweeny3957]

James Dewar's is the ONE voice I would pick to have, if God Granted me that...Deep, seroius, comforting...What happened to him? What Year did he stop playing with Robin? I always that was Half Black...His voice and he don't look Scottish to Me! Love these Guys...Bridge of Sighs is a Desert 🏜 island disk...Matt

[@ottohesslein3230]

He's so smooth, they named the Scotch after him.

[@lovewinsall77]

I had to check your comment to see if it was mine. I've said this on a couple of videos. One of the greats ever. Perfect out of the blocks. ✌❤

[@mattsweeny3957]

"About to Begin, Lady Love, Too Rollin Stoned' Bridge of Sighs Alachua. Matt NYC

[@carlhart9604]

James Dewar, one of the greatest singers that almost no one has heard of. So soulfull you would swear he was born in Mississippi!

[@frontman62]

Correct good call👍

[@barneyrubble4827]

No lie, this band never got the recognition it deserved. Too bad RR hall is more a popularity contest than a true testimonial to talent

[@niteclydn]

Agreed!

[@vidstar7]

That's Gospel!

[@andrewreilly1793]

First heard Jimmy and Robin in 1975 and I still love to hear both. I'm so glad I came across this video. Brings back memories.

[@howarddyer5493]

The fact that Robin Trower isn't in the Rock of Roll Hall of Fame is all you need to know that it's a joke.

[@luckygibbo1]

No the Hall is a joke.....

[@mattsweeny3957]

Yup..Jann WANKER....

[@kenkakeeway7910]

Rock and roll hall of fame is a sham,Dolly Parton was inducted.

[@chrisdher65]

Run dmc and Jayz LL cool j is in. There’s more too. I hope Robin Trower, Uriah Heep and Wishbone Ash get inducted in the Rap halls of Fame

[@mattsweeny3957]

They took forever to induct Deep Purple and Sabbath...Jan Wanker...CHUCK BERRY..jimi Richie Havens...African American..ROCK AND ROLLERS...they deserve to be in...Rap and Hip hop? Sorry Get you're own HOF. .matt

[@whiskeydawg489]

James Dewar, one of the most, if not the most, under rated rock vocalist of all time. If you don't know him, he's truly a diamond in the rough.

[@boomah47]

Jimi is a gift to all true fans of good music.

[@ogrebattle22763]

I couldn't agree with you more.... Robin Trower & James Dewar musical magic.... perfect combo...

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Love love him, playing bass and singing well is hard. James is 💥

[@lahaza6515]

And all while he chews gum:))

[@onazram1]

He's *not* underrated!!

[@garypederson9980]

Robin Trower. A great guitar player and great song writer. And he is still putting out albums.

[@ogrebattle22763]

This Scots-man's bluesy voice was incredible.... James Dewar you are sadly missed.... this brother could grab you from the minute he sang his first note & pour his soul into it... amazing singer... I was just a teenager 14 years old when I first watched this first run... classic....

[@tinfoilhatter]

yes! did he ever give interviews,i never heard one!

[@keithrandall1492]

Yes. I had the opportunity to tell him, backstage at a gig, that he was my fave singer, back in '79. He was embarrassed but it had to be done :-)

[@dougdevine5294]

can never be replaced, from belting out the hard, to the soft smooth bluesy , the man could draw you into being twice removed from yesterday. chewing gum while he was doing it. lol

[@SlightReturn666]

I could never figure out why the group was just called Robin Trower. Would much much rather have had a name for the trio. James Dewar was every bit as important in terms of songwriting and performing as RT.

[@j3dose434]

Amazing. Dewar paired with Trower never disappointed. Impossible to replace Jimmy on vocals.

[@bigstick5278]

The sound of perfection the flows from Dewar's lungs is astonishing. My first Trower concert was Bridge of Sighs and was completely fixated and mesmerized through the whole show. I'm glade I grew up in the 70's and 80's..

[@myobmyob2215]

Yep!

[@wendellskiffington]

Robin should be in the RRHOF, and acknowledge his band from the early days. James Dewarc was one of the finest voices in rock. Only Freddie Mercury could top him.

[@bigstick5278]

@@wendellskiffington ::: True, but the RRHOF is about as useless as the Pulitzer Prize. Everything has been cheapened over the last ten fifteen years by accepting the mediocre and second best.

[@Daniel-oh1fn]

Someone out here said It's worth being old now to have been young back then

[@bigstick5278]

@@Daniel-oh1fn :: Wouldn't want to be young in this day and age no matter how more of a life I would have to live over.. Us late boomers may be old, but hands down we witnessed and experienced the greatest music ever.

[@siepip]

James Dewar was one of the best singers in the world to me

[@travelinben1966]

You’ll never see the likes of this talent ever again.R.I.P. Jimmy and Reg.

[@mirrortime]

Yes! They will always be missed. GREAT players and very awesome people to boot!

[@DouglasRamirez-dj7sd]

Who is " Reg " ?

[@travelinben1966]

@@DouglasRamirez-dj7sd Reg Isadore,the first drummer for Robin Trower.

[@davidmarks5400]

@@travelinben1966 Bill Lordan is the drummer in this video.

[@travelinben1966]

@@davidmarks5400 I know.

[@raybenoit5238]

James is unsung , unique Powerful vocalist . In fact Those who have been touched by him know he's legendary .

[@travelinben1966]

My favorite singer.Beautiful voice.R.I.P. Jimmy. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@doughoffman5276]

What a beautiful and powerful voice 😍 Truly the best voice in Trowers history!!And just remember before this lineup he did it while playing bass. A Truly tremendous talent and a beautiful human being. RIP James Dewar you are missed. 🙏

[@dimvas4923]

Disagree..nothing special...a decend voice among thousands others..

[@jimcady9309]

It's a shame that Rustee Allen does not get more attention in this video. A great bassist filling in for another one!

[@aquamarine99911]

Eh, the late, great Gary Brooker was a more memorable singer..

[@College-Boy]

God almighty: What a voice !! RIP and sorely missed, James Dewar.

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Bluebird song is Goosebumps inducing, such a beautiful voice James Dewar has. Calming the soul🦋.

[@MrSeeuu]

Bridge of Sighs. Nuff said.

[@RedGarnett-n2p]

​@@MrSeeuuthat's his best album but he has a lot of good tracks

[@johndonnelly6706]

How amazing to see this now, 43 yrs later. I saw Robin for the first time 16 days prior this very video, Nov 9, 1977, I was 15, had never heard of him, along for the ride with friends, it blew my mind, changed me forever. The stage set up was same, long row of pedals in front of him, but three stacks of Marshalls instead of two, the volume was indescribable, sublime to feel that kind of power but clarity of tone, witnessing something God like.

[@davidmarks5400]

The RTB was and still is my favorite. I watched this that night on Midnight Special, Wolfman Jack was the host.

[@Pimp-Master]

Good story...the chording set up for "Bridge of Sighs" was to get the extreme lows out of the guitars and amps of the time. Those amps in the early '70s were loud and nasty even without pedals. It's a sound that people couldn't tolerate anymore I think, but for the time it was overpowering and new.

[@KennethDonnellyStargazer21]

My god you have my father's name 🎃 Agree, Trower rules, got me playing guitar too 👻

[@marylandeagle9846]

My favorite blues singer of all time. James Dewar. R.I.P.

[@reemclaughlin4260]

To this day he’s my favorite soulful rock singer.

[@fairweatherbird]

In City Dreams was my favorite Trower album. So nice to see it done live.

[@bnastali]

Mutual admiration between James and Robin is so obvious. Titans of music on display and thrilling to hear.

[@tubetea]

I've been to 16 or 17 Robin Trower shows, they were all great but the first four with James Dewer, you can't describe how good they were, all of Robin''s singers are excellent but no one can compare to James, R.I.P.

[@dynjarren7523]

Thank God for the Midnight Special or we would not even have this footage! RIP James Dewar

[@TimsSite]

I can hear Robin's funk style in so many funk and r & b standards out there, can't believe I grew up missing all this 😔 Great discovery James chops are amazing 👌

[@TheRobsep2b]

Jimmy Dewar and Robin Trower are an incomparable paring. This collection showcases when, back in the day, music was TRULY great.

[@kynyrdskynyrd]

I agree with all the comments about Jimmy Dewar. I am blown away by that first slow song...wow!

[@d.adonis4547]

MAN!!! One of the BEST Blues/Rock guitarists of all-time. . .

[@Creepycottages]

I saw them in Birmingham town hall around that time. Tremendous gig. I had a job interview at 10 the next day at Birmingham University. I was deaf! either way I got the job which changed my life.... forever!

[@javierdearranz3557]

James Dewar, in memoriam,great singer and bass

[@ChuckSchickx]

Thanks to my older brother turning me on to Trower when Bridge of Sighs came out. 🎶🎶🎶

[@allenmcdaniel2751]

Just look how Robin is smiling on him after the break at 3:03, then Jimmy smiles back. Gave me CHILLS!!! Lotta love there!!

[@frontman62]

Spot on good pick up👍

[@johnpbh]

So true... you just have to smile along watching two great musicians in the moment.

[@joanparise7695]

Always loved James and Robin trower o e of the best voices may he rip

[@randlerobbertson8792]

Saw this guitar legend at the smaller Manchester academy venue some years ago. Still amazing. PS Robin Trower live, remains one of my favourite live records in my 50 years of listening to popular recorded music.

[@kennethdecker4967]

Love James Dewar vocals. He was the voice of Robin Trower. Love how much they ate having a blast preforming. Wished he could've continued, but the deteration of his health left him without his gift.

[@armlovesmetal1036]

What a beautiful James had. So rich and soulful. He was so underrated as well as Robin Trower. I loved the band so much.

[@tomupchurch4911]

RIP James. Thank you for all the incredible performances.

[@davebehrens5859]

James Dewar WOW, I really don't know why this band isn't in Rock and Roll Hall of fame.

[@swinetrek]

Do not want these guys in that sham.

[@graemeyetts3465]

Cos its BS

[@DickDebonaire]

Because it's not about talent. It's about things going on behind the curtain

[@kirstenspencer3630]

These guys are in my hall of fame.. right at the top...

[@crusheverything4449]

@davebehrens5859 - What’s truly difficult to understand is why people give that joke of an obvious money grab any credibility whatsoever. No artist the caliber of Robin Trower or James Dewar needs that phony accolade. The fact that we’re all here marveling at their talents nearly fifty years after the fact is a much better barometer and honor. F the RnRHoF. Hard. And R.I.P., James Dewar. Gone far too soon and sorely missed by true rock fans the world over. Robin is still making music, but James was the perfect singer for his band and it was never quite the same, although James’ good friend Davey Pattison did him proud for many years.

[@wyattearpp9540]

JD is absolutely delightful on Bluebird! And Trower, truly a Craftsman!!! Miss the magic of those two together!!!

[@jimpetkoff]

Robin Trower music soothes and excites Jimmy Dewar has a golden voice!!!!!

[@claytonjacksonjr.3909]

My brother loved Trower seen him many times. Thank my stars my late brother had a love for great rock n roll. He let me listen to my first albums that he loved. Been a Trower fan since. I was probably 13 at that time. Big big fan.

[@jeffphakenewz8556]

Great vocalist matched with a great guitarist. Music of my era... remains.

[@RobertVeasquez]

One of my all time favorite songs. How I loved this mans voice....EXTREMELY underrated!

[@joesephtoulouse5360]

You're right he should be in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame, and James dewer ,so soulful

[@jperryfan]

Saw Robin a week before this airing at Radio City Music Hall with Rick Derringer opening. Great show been a fan of both ever since.

[@mackydog99]

I cannot tell you just how much I love Robin Trower! James Dewar's voice is so complimentary of the guitar work of Trowers..........and vice versa. They opened for Tull in '76 at the LA Memorial Collesium. Those were the days!

[@jameskelly6152]

Hell yeah . Headliner for Montrose and Rush in the Spectrum in Philly circa April '77 . Fantastic show 👍

[@vincebalosky771]

One quick question that was the"long Misty Days"tour I remember seeing Robin trower at the international amphitheater here in Chicago when music was great!!!! 💯

[@johnhendrix206]

...my brother called me in to listen to this when I was 15yrs old. I've been a fan since. Love the whole crew!

[@rutherfojr]

Great singer . saw trower in 1978 and was impressed by the singer and the drummer . great line up

[@terences1061]

I remember a show in 1983 or 84 at the agora ballroom in Hartford Ct he locked eyes with me during day of the eagle fir a couple of seconds. I was 17 and he seemed like a fucking god to me. Nowadays, I would just have a chat with him. He didn’t have to do that but he did it anyway which shows a lot about his character.

[@stanesposito2664]

When bands played live on TV. So cool back then.

[@movado242]

I saw this on tv the night it was broadcast. The tv channel was also broadcast on radio and I recorded it on a 8 track tape long since lost. Good to see and hear this again

[@TacomaPaul]

James looks like a cross between Paul Rodgers and Richard Pryor. ;-) Dammit, he was so good. Got to see him with Trower probably 20 times since '75.

[@avi_s0ncin0]

Sounds a hell lot like Rodgers too!

[@pkf81366]

By God he does!

[@elainekerslake6865]

He's got the Prior eyes and nose.

[@garnerearp9474]

Wow! Dynamic so glad that I grew up listening to such great music, rest in peace James and all my brothers and sisters whom I grew up with listening to this fantastic music.

[@baird5776mullet]

45 years ago and still timeless.

[@grantdavis2999]

I had the pleasure of catching. Robin like five times back in the seventies and James on bass was the best of his bands, what a voice .There is no reason for them not to be in the Hall,

[@franklyn9787]

He is such a good singer.

[@paulkittinger4671]

Frank Lyn Jimmy was such a great singer. Robin never sounded as good as when Jimmy was singing his R&B voice. Listen to him in "Stone the Crows" his previous group. His voice was fab.

[@gregnichols2721]

James Dewar's singing was painfully underrated!! So much soul and emotion in his voice!!! Sounds a lot like Paul Rogers!!! ANOTHER phenomenal singer!!!

[@SuperJeff1970]

Thank you for sharing this masterpiece! A far cry to music these days!

[@johnnyguit8168]

The "Understatement of the understatement of the understatem..........Saw RT live and he was always very underrated in the US!

[@razorratz7067]

Yes THANK YOU! I saw Trower in '80 at the Granada Theater in Chicago and he was great then and it's great to see him still touring 40 years later!!

[@michaelwinkelsas1580]

saw him in 75 and last Saturday night 3/31/18 , Awesome show

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Saw Robin Tower in 2019, he’s still got “it”. Totally entranced

[@shermanpup]

Saw this lineup and show at the Chicago Amphitheater on a school night. The doors got pushed open by people waiting in line out in the cold and everyone rushed in and no one even checked the tickets.The cops threw me up against the wall and searched me twice on the way in. We were down by the bathrooms before the show and some kid tripped coming down the stairs and dropped his bag. My friend picked it up and we rolled a couple monsters.Another friend and I shared binoculars, we each were looking out one lens each, at the same time.At the end someone was throwing M80'S from the top down on people on the floor seats. We went back to South Bend.The next morning, my mom asked what I did the night before and I said "oh nothing" .The 70's were the best concert /music decade of all times. Trower was a big part of it !.Glad I got to be there

[@thequeenb1]

Ha.Sounds like how I saw a few concerts at the “AMP” also. I’m sure Robin Trower Band thought, those Chicago people are “ cccrraazzzyyy”! Read that once, James Dewar almost got into a fist fight in a bar downtown.

[@smorgasbroad1132]

I was there too! 1976. Fantastic!

[@richtomlinson7090]

Awesome story about the concert, but that person dropping M80s should have been dropped themselves. I remember seeing someone toss M80s at a concert in Saratoga performing arts center, and I never been happier about security grabbing someone before then. I don't know what they're thinking, putting others in danger.

[@Magnetron33]

@@thequeenb1 I saw Pink Floyd there the week Dark Side was released and many early YES shows. I loved that place

[@vincebalosky771]

​@@thequeenb1the yes shows the concerts you're referring to were they the ones where the stage in the round where the stage turned real slow in a circle and I believe it was for the going for the one tour I was at that same show at the international amphitheater here in Chicago I'm pretty sure that's where I seen yes that year going for the one tour stage in the round I was there!!!👍

[@standingbeark2290]

Yes, I've always said Dewar had one of those iconic rock /blueyed soul voices. R.i.p.. been a trower fan since the late 60s. Guitar royalty...

[@billbridge7458]

This is GOLD!

[@lascione62]

I am speechless before Dewar's voice delivery....no words

[@neutronbob22]

I saw this band live in '77. One of my favorites, still.

[@lymonedwards4185]

Why is this great guitarist not in the rock and roll hall of fame?

[@interstellaraxeman4468]

The fame is ours to behold,..not the halls to hold. Its what we see,...not where they hijack the custody of that honor.

[@jakemaple891]

Fucking Run Dmc and shit but not Trower, two words, fuck them!

[@chrisevans9553]

The Hall is not big enough to hold him, or James Dewar either!

[@piggyroo100]

Cuz it’s the Rolling Stone hall of fame

[@swinetrek]

Because it's the rock n roll hall of shame. Better off out of it and truly appreciated by fans.

[@smoovegittar]

Robin has so much Soul.

[@davidenders9282]

Midnight Special great show I remember around when the good music was created. Wow Robin Trower up there with Jimi, EC, EVH. James Dewar, R.I.P. great vocalist & very good bass player which he wasn't playing in this. Bridge of Sighs is a CD everybody needs to listen too to appreciate this group.

[@brianhammer5107]

van halen is not in the same class with these guys AT ALL - c'mon! just because Guitar Player magazine decided to make money off him by promoting him in issue after boring issue is no reason to give more credit to his same-solo-again-and-again style

[@dananorth895]

EVH never did release that celebrated blues album I'm still waiting for!😂

[@bobsavage1007]

EVH blows all those guys above away!!

[@sandraelena5859]

What beautiful voice from James Dewar 💜

[@debbiehanisch2099]

Bridge of sighs...fantastic album and song.

[@62TeleC]

i watched this that night - i was a young aspiring 15 year old guitar player - nice to see this again.

[@Michael-we9vp]

"The only white singer who ever made me cry was Jimmy Dewar".....Rod Stewart...😊

[@stevenperry9400]

Been in my HOF since the 70’s

[@robertjenner3427]

R.I.P Jimmy, great talent

[@DonaldWebber-o9v]

Never seen Dewar just singing without playing bass before and love the Stryper outfit Robin's wearing. Those 2 together were pure magic

[@robertmurphy5518]

J.D. 's voice on this is amazing , never heard this , Thanks , much appreciated !

[@infinitejest441]

Music of the gods this is.

[@valvenator]

I never realized what vocal range he had till I tried to sing along with one his "easier" songs. Not citing this first song but his high notes still had a depth and ease to them that made them sound full. BTW I saw a video of him from recent years and his young bass playing vocalist souds like a reicarnation. Very very good.

[@jeremydicker6613]

Amazing singer ❤

[@rogerzwaterzs]

This version of 'Somebody Calling' slaps so hard, like damn

[@Hendrixrides]

Thank you for making life tolerable...peace to your soul.

[@billyz5088]

Plenty of high praise posted here for the late, great James Dewar - and rightfully so - and oh yeah, that Robin Trower guy on guitar isn't too bad either ..

[@KittyGrizGriz]

Trower looks ultra cool in the yellow/black outfit, the way his body/shoulders move in rhythm, like he and guitar are one in the same. Dynamite comes in small packages, massive💥.

[@cliffmeans6986]

Just brilliant...!!

[@douggauzy6258]

Great singer . Made Trower successful !

[@ericligotke3542]

How cool to see James as just a singer. What an awesome voice

[@lornz5374]

wow what a voice...

[@mtadams2009]

I was fortunate to have been able to see this great band many times, good times, great music. They were a big part of my life and still are. Thanks for the post

[@bigdaddy7862]

Best quality I’ve seen of this episode

[@MichaelSmith-ig8bw]

I remember seeing Robin Trower in the 70s. After one of his songs, he flashed a big grin, walked over to his Marshall amp, turned everything up to 10 and just launched into 'Bridge of Sighs'. Fucking incredible!!

[@randallstarling2425]

Midnight Special was a great show with all live performances just like this fantastic live Robin Trower song!!

[@glenmurschel5939]

My favorite strat player!

[@1nker]

So good. Watching Trower takes me to another place!

[@tomantila2468]

Thanks for the video, no one else like them, and may James be resting in total peace, for sharing and giving us all, his talents.

[@maxx7743]

Geez! Where did this come from! Thanks for posting! One of the greatest guitar players ever and James Dewar great vocals and chewing gum! Who says you can't sing while chewing gum! Love Trower!

[@krill3333]

No Jimmy D., sad day. Thanks for recordings like this to remind me. Miss you Jim. Keep rocking Robin!

[@danielmersch6717]

Brings back lots of great memories.

[@ridgerover8347]

The Midnight Special saved the best stuff for later in the show, after the teenie boppers went to bed.........

[@michaelsteding7720]

Thank God for KZbin. Never thought I would ever see this again. Just sublime.

[@georgestevens1502]

Robin with a rosewood fretboard and James singing but not playing bass. An unusual and special performance.

[@lynnbain3543]

Thank you for uploading this dynamite show

[@louismartinez4467]

I would always put on ~ bridge of sighs~ at pool hall ( back in the day) on that elect juke box it was computerized so it took me a long time to find it but everyone asked who that was.

[@paparazzi323]

R.I.P. MY BROTHER AND THANK YOU..

[@daveallen9921]

This was a pleasure to watch. Very influential guitarist.

[@markroberts1301]

Wow incredible in so many ways! I just saw Robin in concert a few days ago, sure wish Jimmy could have been onstage with him! Bluebird is one of those songs that brings a tear to my eye... I always thought that Robin's version of Further on up the road is the best one out there too! Of course the combo of his guitar and Jimmy's voice is tough to beat!

[@karensouren3130]

Soul upon soulful. You are so missed James 😢