1948
Robin’s parents had to pay the nursing home expenses for his birth as the National Health Service had only been established the very same year. Whether or not they thought it was ‘value for money’ will remain one of life’s mysteries as they didn’t try it again! Robin lived with his family in the west end of Glasgow just a few yards from the shipyards, but on the “posh side” of the tram lines!
1953
Robin was educated at Jordanhill College School. It was in Primary 2 that he played his first piano recital to the rest of the primary department. Not a particularly memorable performance of ‘Old MacDonald Had a Farm’, other than the soft and sustaining pedals were well out of reach. The classes applauded; he had ‘gotten the buzz’. It was all ‘doh ray me fah soh lah te doh’ after that!
1964
Being brought up in a family dedicated to classical music, Robin studied piano and violin, as well as receiving vocal tuition from Winnie Busfield of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music. But the swinging 60s put paid to any classical career with the continual tug of war between music and education. Music won in the end. So he left school and soon found himself playing in several Glasgow bands. The sixties rocked and he met Joyce, his first wife. She still is!
1968
1968 brought a new direction in music for Robin. It was the start of ‘Lomond Folk’. Robin teamed up with Donald Brown, a fellow chorister, and the duo soon established their name on the Scottish folk scene. For many years they ran the Black Bull Folk Club in Milngavie and by 1971 had released their first album ‘Parcel o’ Rogues’. This was the start of many gigs, touring and sharing the stage with many ‘famous folkies’.
1972
The ‘Lomond Folk’ years were unique. They were epitomised by concerts, folk clubs, show boat cruises, television appearances and radio. In 1972 Decca released the album ‘Flower of Scotland’. In 1974 Lismor released ‘Blended Scotch’. With the emergence of commercial radio, they were regularly featured, and often shared the ‘wee sma’ oors’ on New Year’s Day with Radio Clyde’s Colin MacDonald. In 1977 Donald tragically died after a gig in Aberfeldy and Robin painfully closed the door on Lomond Folk.
1978
After a difficult year coming to terms with the death of Donald and finding the old haunts an overwhelming experience, Robin chose a solo career on the Scottish tourist circuit. He also continued to compere the Clyde and Loch Lomond Showboat cruises working with many top folk and jazz artists. After 8 years Robin moved to England with his wife, son and daughter. It was time to take stock – pastures new.
1986
Robin moved to Hitchin in 1986 and had a rapid ‘late development’ with the Open University and took a very sensible 9-5 job. There was no doubt that the ‘weans’ life was passing him by with the ‘gigging every night’ lifestyle. He therefore decided to take a musical ‘rest’ – but only for a few ‘bars’! It didn’t last long however, and in the late 80s a musical partnership evolved with vocalist Andy Hart.
2000
The new millennium found Robin’s return to full-time music, with both the promotion and recording of bands and playing live in rock duo Solid Silver alongside Andy. Together they also formed their own production partnership Solid Silver Productions, providing bespoke live music, covering everything from rock to opera. This decade pulled together much of the experience from the previous 40 years of organising concerts and festivals.
2010
Robin has now returned to his Celtic roots enjoying making folk music with like-minded musicians. He regularly performs with folk ‘n’ fiddles trio Celtic Krystal, fronts experimental folk initiative Tangleweave as well as playing bass with Solid Silver. Robin’s solo set is still as fresh as ever and he can be found regularly entertaining audiences around the UK. Robin is currently working on a new album set for a November 2012 release.
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