Photo: Ken Hampson
 

Sunday 6 October 2013, 18:00 The Guitarists

Pat Travers chats to Pete Feenstra about his 2012 album 'Blues On Fire' and his earlier career

Broadcast history

Sunday 18 August 2013, 18:00

PAT TRAVERS

Pat Travers came to wider attention in the late-1970s when - signed to Polydor - he released his self-titled debut (1976) followed by Makin' Magic (1977) .  An appearance at the Reading Festival in 1977 consolidated his early success.

When performing in the Quebec area in his native Canada, Travers was spotted and encouraged by Ronnie Hawkins, the influential musician who helped gestate The Band.  Travers then re-located to London and his rise and progress was only jolted by the ascendancy of punk and new wave.

In the eighties, after several band line-up changes, he released several albums that deviated from his essentially hard rock approach.  The first of these - 'Radio Active' (1981) - was not commercially successful.  By the end of the decade - dropped by Polydor - Travers returned to the hard rock/blues format and subsequently made a series of albums for Mike Varney's Blues Bureau International Records label.

More recently, the guitarist released several albums as the PT Power Trio (with Carmine Appice) and retains a loyal following.  The release of 'Can Do' in July 2013 (Frontiers Records) is considered a return to the more commercial classic hard rock of his late-seventies period.

The key to Pat's durability seems to be his ability to survive changing musical fashions and to lock in with his rock solid loyal fan base... Pete Feenstra

UK Tour Dates (October 2013)

Oct 2 Dartford, The Mick Jagger Centre
Oct 3 Wolverhampton, Robin 2
(with Laurence Jones Band)
Oct 4 Bourne, Corn Exchange
Oct 5 Hartlepool Supporters Club
(with Little Stevie And The Business)
Oct 6 Blackburn Blues Festival, King Georges Hall
Oct 8 Newcastle upon Tyne, The Cluny
Oct 9 Swansea, The Scene Club
Oct 10 Derby, The Flowerpot
Oct 11 London, O2 Academy Islington
Oct 12 Devizes, Long Street Blues Club
Oct 13 Southampton, The Brook
 

Pat Travers website