Journal

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2012-05-13T21:09:19Z

12 October 1942 – 16 May 2002

2012-05-13T20:26:26Z

A decade ago......

2012-05-13T19:37:56Z

Ten years ago we lost one the greatest musical talents ever to take the stage or enter a recording studio. Health issues would make 1982 the last year that he would play to packed venues as a member of the Robin Trower Band. Declining health over the next twenty years would eventually cause him to pass away on May 16th 2002.

His unmatched vocal talent, flawless bass playing and his ability to pen a rock anthem remain legendary among many of today's biggest stars. To say "they don't make 'em like that anymore" would only tell part of the story. Jimmy was a one-of-a-kind. None before, none since.

Fortunately, he left us with plenty of great music, lots of YouTube content (thanks to Stephen Redrobe and several other dilligent contributors) and three beautiful and charming daughters, Lisa, Wendy and Laura. The photo shown here is a family photo that was grainy and out of focus with lots of wear and tear from years of lying around the Dewar home. Despite these technical shortcomings there is no hiding the the beauty and love of a young James and Mattie Dewar shown here.

James Dewar (12 October 1942 – 16 May 2002)

Paisley in 2010

2011-02-20T21:03:05Z

Yours truly with the beautiful and charming Lisa Dewar.

Looking back on 2010, I can honestly say that coolest thing I did was fly to Glasgow and spend some time with Jimmy's daughters Wendy, Laura and Lisa (and their extended families). It was great fun having a few drinks, swapping stories and feasting on a nice home-cooked meal at Laura's house in Paisley. Lisa and her fiance David were gracious hosts and I got a first rate tour of Glasgow before sitting down to a fantastic dinner at one of several great downtown restaurants.

There is not really a lot that I can pass on from this experience other than these are all great folks and I am privileged to know them. Jimmy loved his family and it's easy to see why. CK

Signs of intelligent life......

2010-08-01T03:51:46Z

Many of us in this tiny group of holdouts [who love great rock from the Trower era] wonder "aren't there any more of us?". No matter how strong your convictions for these musicians and their music, you would not be human if you did not feel like a scientists staring into space, wondering if there was intelligent life out there. In this case however, the great unknown is earth and the prognosis is bleak. In a sea of contrived, vocorder-laden, computer garbage, one can feel very alone with his/her precious Trower collection.

Like a scientists scouring space through a telescope, I search the Internet through Google, Bing, and any other web tool I can find, in hopes of discovering a photo, a story or a recording and it can be discouraging. Recently, when I was wondering if that is all there is, "Ian" posted a tip in the Guest Forum for me to check out www.britrockbythebay.com. What a tip it was.

Four guys named Michael Collins Morton, David Miller, Gary Hodges and Dan Curry have a blog-style website paying homage to their favorite '70s rock bands. Low and behold, there we find stories and photos of two different San Francisco concerts played by RTB at Winterland on November 3, 1973 and May 25, 1974 respectively. David, Dan, Gary and Michael reminisce and, do a pretty decent job of taking us back to that experience so many years ago. As enjoyable as their stories may be, the photos are the greatest treasure as they are previously unreleased shots of Jimmy (and maybe Robin although I have not inquired). The shots are mostly black and white with a few color shots and most are good resolution and nicely captured.

I urge anyone who loves '70s rock and especially the Robin Trower Band to visit this site. David has been kind enough to grant me permission to post his shots of Jimmy on this website and, just to wet your appetite, you will find one below.

Look for many more of David's photos to come but for now please enjoy this one and stop by "Brit Rock By The Bay"

I will post more Jimmy photos from David's archive as time allows. CK

John Platania remembers the making of "Stumbledown Romancer"

2010-07-07T01:42:00Z

John Platania on stage.

Our dear friend Richard Devlin pulls through once again getting the very talented guitar wizard John Platania to reminisce about his brief encounter with Jimmy during the making of Stumbledown Romancer. Normally John is recording and performing with Van Morrison but his resume also includes other world-class recording artists including Randy Newman, Bonnie Raitt, Judy Collins and Natalie Merchant. Many thanks to both Richard and Mr. Platania.

I flipped over Jimmy's voice the moment I first heard him. I think it was on Robin Trower's first solo album -"Twice Removed From Yesterday". His voice affected me as much as Robin's playing & that's saying a lot.

Man what is it about Glasgow? Besides Jimmy, some other really soulful mothers came out of that tough city - like Davey Pattison & Frankie Miller to name just a couple. Maybe the water?....probably the scotch. But for me, Jimmy was at the top of that mountain.

Bottomline, there's only one way to describe his voice.....soulful.....effortlessly soulful. Jimmy was a completely unaffected & natural soul singer.

Almost as tragic as his untimely passing is how underated he was & sadly still is. As far as I'm concerned he's right up there with best & I've played guitar for a couple of the best.

Speaking of which, it was at the end of a Van Morrison tour back in '80 or '81 - I think - when Wullie Roche - part of Van's stage production team back then - approached Daoud Shaw, David Hayes & myself and asked if we'd be interested in cutting a few tracks for James' solo album. I for one didn't have to think twice.

So every night for the next few nights or so we grabbed a taxi from Central London to Matthew Fisher's studio in Croydon to record some songs that ultimately became part of, what I believe, Jimmy's only solo album - "Stumbledown Romancer".

The sessions, as I recall, were fun & truly relaxed. What a great great time we had! What, with the quiet genius of Matthew Fisher producing & engineering, a constant flow of tea, great songs and of course with Jimmy's voice delivering them - how could it not be?`

So, God bless you Jimmy....may you rest in peace. It was a honor to have known you for that short while & a privilege to have played guitar for you all those years ago.

John Platania

The 8th anniversary of his passing.

2010-05-16T05:55:59Z

Eight years ago today on May 16, 2002 the world lost a man who's contributions to rock music may never fully be realized. Jimmy was the King of the art during the peak of the genre. It would seem that most top professionals admit that he was the best of the best. James Dewar and his music are with me always in my ears and in my heart. Running this website, hearing from the fans and knowing Jimmy's remaining family members are a great privilege for me. Thanks to all. Carl

How about some new photos?

2010-04-23T05:27:14Z

Above you can see some new vector art that I have created from a stunning photo taken by Jim Summaria. Jim is one of several generous people to donate photos for use on this site. Please help keep jimmydewar.com vital by checking your old concert shots for any images of Jimmy. They have to be out there, we just need to find them. Thanks for your support! Carl

Ladies Man

2010-03-11T05:30:57Z

Rock Stars have long developed reputations as being ladies men. Here you can catch Jimmy in a private moment with some of his very favorite ladies. With three daughters and a loving wife Jimmy had a built-in female fanbase! CK

Andy Fraser shares his thoughts on Jimmy.

2010-02-22T06:20:49Z

Andy Fraser began playing bass with John Mayall at just 15 years of age. Soon after, he left to become a founding member of the rock band Free and for the next 4 years Andy worked closely with vocal phenom Paul Rodgers. While Andy remains active in music to this day he may always be best known for co-writing and producing the Free rock anthem "All Right Now". With credentials like this, praise should not be taken lightly and praise is exactly what Andy offers of our dear friend Mr. Dewar. Many thanks to our good friend Richard Devlin for soliciting these words from Andy and our very sincere thanks and best wishes to Mr. Fraser as well. CK

"My association with Jimmy was made close through our mutual friend Frankie Miller. Free and the Robin Trower Group did several gigs together, but Frankie was the one who brought him down to my house and opened my eyes to his incredible talent.

Just such a decent guy, hard working, lots of kids to take care of, and obviously such a brotherhood between he and Frankie, who was always such a supporter of any Scotsman, especially if he was talented. I wonder if because I was born Andrew McIan Fraser, Frankie felt I just had to be alright with such a Scottish name.

Jimmy is such an incredible loss. His soulful singing speaks for itself, but mainly he was such easy going, accessible guy, not caught up in the usual nonsense so prevalent in the music industry." AF