Robin George Biog
Robin George has worked with
many more artists and projects than most realise, and during the ‘80s he built
up a name for himself as a guitar player, producer, songwriter and solo artist.
Born and raised in Wolverhampton, England, Robin began playing guitar at
an early age. A plastic Beatles’ guitar Christmas present from his mom and dad
set him on his way when he was eight years old, then his mum, recognising his
talent, bought him an acoustic guitar which he later swapped for his first
electric guitar, a Watkin’s Rapier 33. He took his guitar to junior school,
family parties and at 14 he was asked to join his first band. Robin was expelled
from Wolverhampton Boy’s Grammar School, where he was, allegedly, the first
person to be expelled for 100 years. When he started his next school, it was
like a new lease of life; released from the power of the cane he was encouraged
to embrace the power of music and became the guitar player in assemblies and
school dances. He soon rebelled and was expelled again, however!
Robin
began college but was invited to tour Europe, so he ditched education without a
second thought and became a journey man. His dad, an engineer, told him to get a
real job and if he lasted a year he would have his full support. He did it by
working all day then driving to London at night to play and sing sessions in the
legendary Denmark Street Studios. So, for his 21st birthday, his mom and dad
bought him his beloved Gibson Les Paul Custom…he had proved himself.
After a tour of Denmark, Germany and Belgium, including US Army bases, Robin
recorded his first single Too Late, featuring Dave Holland (Judas Priest), Pino
Palladino (The Who) and Mo Birch (Culture Club, UB40) for the History album.
Robin taught himself to engineer at this time; an influential moment in his
career. The History album cover photo was taken by the great Finn Costello and
featured as Kerrang’s front cover, issue 52. Finn also took the iconic cover
photo for the Dangerous Music album with art and design by the renowned Andie
Airfix, who also recently created the artwork for the Rocking LovePower sharing
album.
Robin was working with Daniel Boone (Beautiful Sunday) who
introduced Robin to the former Uriah Heep vocalist, David Byron, suggesting
Robin mix Byron’s forthcoming single Every Inch of the Way. This he duly did,
and they almost immediately formed The David Byron Band with Robin producing and
playing guitar on the subsequent album ‘On the Rocks’. The pair worked well
together, both playing and writing, and this work would sadly be David’s last
recorded material.
1981 and 1982 saw Robin continue to work with Daniel
Boone. He also toured and recorded with Roy Wood (The Move/ Wizzard /ELO), doing
both live gigs and TV shows (bootlegs exist of this live work). It was at this
point that Robin met Roy Cooke, his current press manager and web designer and
he’s taken photos of Robin ever since. Robin also produced and sang backing
vocals with Pat Hannon on Raymond Froggat’s Now and Then album. Robin engineered
and recorded with Slade’s Noddy Holder as well as producing Diamond Head; the
start of a long time association with the band. After co-producing the Climax
demos for their next album with Pete Haycock, Pete invited Robin to join The
Climax Blues Band, which he did for a short time, playing on their Sample and
Hold album. He bought his BC Rich Bich 10 string from Pete, who had bought it
from Slade, and this iconic guitar launched logos, album artwork, the Kerrang
front cover and more.
1983 proved just as busy,
with Robin producing Witchfinder General’s Friends of Hell LP and Quartz too,
before releasing the History 12" and his Go Down Fighting single on Arista. Ted
Nugent would cover this song the following year.
Robin engineered a
couple of singles for Tony Clarkin of Magnum which led to him joining Magnum for
their highly successful 11th Hour Tour of the UK.
1984 also saw Robin
produce the debut LP for Wrathchild’s Stakk Attack and also the beginning of the
Dangerous Music project. In 1985 his publishers, Dejamus, brokered a deal with
Bronze Records who released his acclaimed debut solo album, Dangerous Music,
which launched the era of techno rock. This iconic album featured, amongst
others, Dave Holland (Judas Priest), Mark Stanway (Magnum) and Thin Lizzy’s Phil
Lynott; strengthening the bond between Robin and Phil who played bass on
Showdown. Robin’s groundbreaking single, Heartline, charted worldwide.
Robin’s touring band in 1985 was Dangerous Music and featured ex Magnum drummer
Kex Gorin, ex Wildlife bassist, Phil Soussan (later with Ozzy Osbourne), and
keyboard players Mark Stanway and Alan Nelson. The band’s first live gig was
Radio One's In Concert recorded at the BBC’s famous Paris Studios, opening for
Phil Lynott’s Grand Slam.
During the Dangerous Music tour Robin guested
live with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, Simon Kirk (Free, Bad Company), Brian May
(Queen) and The Who’s John Entwistle.
Dangerous Music made many live TV
appearances throughout the UK and Europe and the band frequently performed on
the Tommy Vance Rock Show on Radio One. Both Tommy and Alan Fluff Freeman made
Heartline their record of the year. A national radio tour followed. Later they
were joined by second guitarist Huw Lucas (ex Korea and Trouble) for a UK and
European tour supporting Uli Jon Roth and REO Speedwagon with the last date
being played at the legendary Hammersmith Odeon London.
Robin then worked
with Stuart Copeland (The Police) which led to Stuart suggesting that he, Robin
and Derek Holt (The Climax Blues Band) formed a band. Robin began writing with
Derek Holt although this project never came to fruition.
1985 also saw
Robin record Nineteen at London's famous Roundhouse Studios with Phil Lynott and
Paul Hardcastle. Phil asked Robin and Brian Downey to reform Thin Lizzy. The
reformed Thin Lizzy was showcased live on major TV show The Tube, in what became
Phil's last appearance before his untimely passing.
Robin then formed
Notorious with former Diamond Head singer, Sean Harris. The track The SWALK was
Simon Bates’ record of the week for 2 consecutive weeks on Radio One. However,
the ill-fated album was deleted shortly after release in America due to record
company changes. The far superior original recordings are now released on Angel
Air. Around the same time Robin was headhunted by Duran Duran, who were at the
at their peak, an offer he declined due
to other commitments.
Production and writing work with Glenn Hughes
(Black Sabbath/ Deep Purple) followed, initially at Robin’s studio then at Ridge
Farm where Robin was lucky enough to duet on guitar with Mel Galley (Trapeze,
Whitesnake) but the album never saw the light of day apart from the track
Haunted, which featured in the film Highlander 2.
Robin then produced
and co-wrote an album with Birmingham Metal band, Marshall Law. The Power Game
album is now available on Angel Air. Robin then played several club dates with
Asia; vocalist/bassist John Wetton, Carl Palmer, Phil Manzanera and Don Airey.
John asked Robin to join the band but, again, other commitments prevented him
from doing so. He was soon back touring, as Robin George’s World. He also began
working with Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant; both recording and song writing.
Robin’s song Red for Danger appears on Robert Plant’s Sixty-six to Timbuktu
album.
At the same time Robin was writing with Uriah Heep’s Pete Goalby;
their co-written song, Mona Lisa Smile has been recorded by Estrella, as well as
writing with John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson) and Pete Wingfield (Eighteen with
a Bullet).
Robin produced and played guitar on We’ve Got a Fuzzbox and
We’re Gonna Use It’s last single, Your Loss, My Gain. He subsequently produced
You, an album for Vix Fuzzbox which was released on Angel Air in 2011.
Robin then formed Life with Diamond Head singer, Nick Tart and toured heavily
around the UK, recording the Cocoon album over the course of a year at Robin’s
Dangerous Music Studio in Shropshire. The band gained enough of a reputation to
be offered several deals which sadly never came to pass, and they also recorded
a number of sessions for BBC Radio One and live performances for TV shows
including The James Whale Show. The re-mastered album Cocoon which also
showcases previously unheard tracks was released by Angel Air in April 2010.
During their career the band also featured Marshall Law drummer Lee Morris
(Paradise Lost), bass player Charley Charlesworth, Hammond organist Fred
Skidmore from Dexy’s Midnight Runners and ex Hooters keyboard player Bill
Rudolph.
Robin continued writing, recording and producing albums
including solo albums Rock of Ageists, Crying Diamonds and Bluesongs. He also
played guitar for The Medieval Babes and Joan ov Arc; the first
all girl X-Box band.
Robin also
teamed up with UFO bassist Pete Way. They struck up a friendship while
co-producing then touring the Waysted album, Back from the Dead. They
subsequently decided to form Damage Control. Joining them in the project were
drummer Chris Slade (AC/DC, The Firm) and Spike (The Quireboys). They released
two CD's, Damage Control and Raw. Both received many rave reviews. Raw has also
been re-released by Angel Air Records.
Robin’s recent projects include
producing the sharing project, LovePower and Peace, which features over sixty
artists from the worlds of Rock, Blues, Soul and Pop who all donated their time
and talents. 50% of all profits go directly to worthwhile charities of your
choice. A single, LovePower and Peace, was also released in aid of MacMillan’s
Cancer Care. The project features, amongst others, members of Alice Cooper,
AC/DC, UFO, Asia, Diamond Head, Motorhead, Uriah Heep, Duran Duran, Mott the
Hoople, Marshall Law, the Climax Blues Band as well as solo artists Ruby Turner,
Arthur Brown, Jaki Graham, Charlie George, Freya Copeland and Vix Fuzzbox.
Robin had teamed up with Pete Haycock and the core members of the LovePower
and Peace sharing album to reform a true supergroup. The band also features Mel
Collins (The Rolling Stones/ Eric Clapton), Charlie Morgan (Elton John/ Kate
Bush), Jacquie Williams (Sister Sledge/ M People) and Charlie Charlesworth
(Dangerous Music). The superb album, Broke Heart Blues was mixed by award
winning sound engineer, Klaus Bohlmann, the beginning of a long term partnership
with Robin which continues to this day. Klaus has since mixed and mastered 9
albums for Robin.
Dangerous Music 2 was also released on Angel Air.
Produced by Gus Dudgeon, Robin and Daniel, it features
Pino Palladino, Daniel Boone, Charlie Morgan and Chris Thompson.
Robin George returned to his
power trio origins with the Dangerous Music album ‘Painful Kiss’. This bedrock
solid band features the powerhouse drums of Charlie Morgan, the solid, melodic,
thundering bass of Charley Charlesworth (Dangerous Music) and, of course,
legendary cult guitar hero, Robin George. There are also star performances
from special guests; Robin´s faithful friends. The late great Pete Haycock plays
fabulous awe-inspiring slide guitar, Mel Collins showcases his virtuoso, soaring
saxophone and Jacquie Williams adds superb, soulful vocals.
The album features Robin´s
original versions of many songs covered by household name artists over the
years. A fascinating insight into Robin´s original writing as well as his
inspired new songs.
Back to the roots in 2016 for Robin and the Dangerous Music band.
2018 brought Rogue Angels; a
storming album, driven entirely by the mighty talents of power rock duo, Robin
George and Charlie Morgan. 11 haunting, heavy songs with inspired performances
on guitar and vocals and rock-solid power drums. Sometimes wild, sometimes moody
and melancholic, always melodic. Every chorus is a hook with massive,
mind-blowing guitars and drums and dark & stormy lyrics that transport you to a
world of surreal dreams. This innovative album ushered in a new era of
creativity and mastery of their art for Charlie and Robin.
2019 reunited Robin and Sean Harris (Diamond Head) and
they began writing and recording their brand-new Notorious album! 5 great tracks
in the can and stuck there for now!
Then came Lockdown. Robin spent ‘Rockdown’
recording & mastering 9 albums, aided and abetted by Charlie Morgan and Klaus
Bohlmann, which Dangerous Music
Records is now releasing. An Asia 2 CD/DVD is waiting in the wings along with
Robin George and Glenn Hughes Sweet Revenge album ready for an official release.
There are more eagerly awaited CDs hot off the press,
Robin George & Roxstar Legends.
Artists’ bands include:
Thin Lizzy Led Zeppelin The Who AC/DC Asia Uriah Heep King Crimson UFO
Judas Priest Trapeze Magnum the Byron Band Diamond Head Life
The Climax Blues Band Renaissance Quireboys Dangerous Music
Dangerous Music Records now has on its roster
Wilderness, Surreal Six String (Instrumental), Heartlines (Acoustic) Robin
George Euro Tour Live & Rocking LovePower sharing album. Momma Sister Daughter
single and the superb, brand-new CD,
Dangerous Daze, written and recorded
2021-2022, are due for release April 8th.
Robin lives in an Andalucian mountain village,
happily married to Debbie for many moons, surrounded by dogs, cats and sunshine.
He constantly writes, records, and releases albums because music is his
lifeforce and passion.