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Key Information

Patrick Henry Travers (born April 12, 1954) is a Canadian rock guitarist, singer and songwriter who began his recording career in the mid-1970s.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Travers was born and raised in Toronto.[3] Soon after picking up the guitar at age 12, he saw Jimi Hendrix perform in Ottawa. Travers began playing in bands early in his teens; his first bands were the Music Machine (not to be confused with the Californian psychedelic/garage band of the same name), Red Hot, and Merge, which played in clubs in the Quebec area.

Career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

While performing with Merge, he was noticed by rock artist Ronnie Hawkins, who invited Travers to perform with him. In his early twenties, Travers moved to London and signed a recording contract with the Polydor label.[2] His self-titled debut album was released in 1976 and featured bassist Peter "Mars" Cowling, who was a mainstay in Travers' band for several years.[2] An appearance on the German TV show Rockpalast in November 1976 was later released on CD+DVD under the title Live at Rockpalast – Cologne 1976 in 2017. This performance showcases an early version of Travers' band featuring Cowling and drummer Nicko McBrain.[2]

Rise to popularity

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During 1977, Travers added a second guitarist to his band, changed drummers twice including using Clive Edwards, and by the time Heat in the Street was released in 1978 had put together the Pat Travers Band.[2] This grouping featured Travers on vocals and guitar, Pat Thrall on guitar, Cowling on bass, and Tommy Aldridge on drums and percussion.[2] The band toured heavily, also supporting Rush on their Drive til You Die tour in support of A Farewell to Kings.[4]

The guitar Travers most often appeared with on stage and on album covers in the band's early years was a 1964/65 model double cutaway, double humbucker pick-up Gibson Melody Maker. The band's next release was a live album entitled Live! Go for What You Know, which charted in the Top 40 in the United States and included the tune "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)" (originally recorded by Little Walter, credited to Stan Lewis), which climbed even higher on the charts, entering the Top 20. "Snortin' Whiskey" was a major American radio hit from 1980's Crash and Burn.

After an appearance before 35,000 people at the Reading Music Festival in England, both Thrall and Aldridge announced they were leaving the band to pursue other projects.[2] Travers and Cowling teamed up with drummer Sandy Gennaro and released Radio Active[2] that same year. A co-headlining tour with Rainbow followed, and the two bands performed in major arenas across North America. Although the tour was Travers' most successful road outing, the Radio Active album barely made it into the Top 40, reaching only number 37.[5]

It was very different from Travers' previous work, with more emphasis on keyboards than heavy guitars. Disappointed with the lack of sales, Polydor dropped Travers from their roster, and he in turn sued the record company on grounds that he was under contract with them to record more material. He won the lawsuit, and was able to release Black Pearl in 1982.

This release also featured more mainstream music rather than the hard-driving rock Travers had recorded earlier, and included the hit single "I La La La Love You", featured prominently on mainstream Top 40 and album oriented rock stations, and in the 1983 film Valley Girl. Hot Shot was Travers' last major label release of original music, and was a return to a harder-edge style of rock than his previous two albums had been. One of Travers' best-recorded projects, it went basically unnoticed and is best remembered for the single "Killer". It was during this time that Travers also released Just Another Killer Day, a 30-minute home video featuring music from Hot Shot that was a sci-fi type short story about sexy alien women searching for information on music here on earth. In 1984, Travers was again supporting Rush. Alex Lifeson is one of Travers' many admirers.[6]

Before the release of Hot Shot, longtime bassist Cowling left the band, and Travers would work with several different bassists including Cliff Jordan and Donni Hughes until Cowling's return in 1989. Jerry Riggs, who had joined the Pat Travers Band in 1983, helped Travers create a guitar team that fans considered difficult to rival.[7] After Hot Shot's release in 1984, Polydor made plans to issue a greatest hits package, and then ended their relationship with Travers.

The latter half of the 1980s were quite gruelling for Travers. Having entered the decade at the top of the music game, he found himself in 1986 without a record contract and being forced to earn a living once again playing nightclubs and touring constantly. By 1990, he had gained a deal with a small European label and released School of Hard Knocks.[2] The project was completely ignored by radio. A full-length concert video, Boom Boom – Live at the Diamond Club 1990, was shot in Toronto, to be released on CD as Boom Boom next year, but Travers was still not able to return to the success he had ten years earlier, working only on indie labels, as with Lemon Recordings.

1990s: Return to form

[edit]

Shortly after, Travers signed a deal with U.S.-based Blues Bureau International Records, a company formed by producer Mike Varney. Travers' first recording for the label was Blues Tracks, released in 1992.[2] Brad Russell, from Detroit, plays bass on Blues Tracks. [8]Several more releases on the BBI label followed during the 1990s. In 1993, Travers parted company with both Jerry Riggs and Peter "Mars" Cowling, and Riggs was briefly replaced by former Foghat guitarist Erik Cartwright. The relationship was brief, and Travers has worked with a variety of musicians since that time. Travers sang on Boston metal band Extreme's song "Get the Funk Out" from their 1990 album Pornograffitti.

Decline in popularity

[edit]
Travers in 2009

Travers has not been able to regain the level of commercial success he once had, despite a large and loyal fan base who call themselves "Hammer Heads". In 2001, Travers was part of the "Voices of Classic Rock" tour and had a minor hit with Leslie West from the band Mountain called "Rock Forever". In 2004, Travers started a project with veteran drummer Carmine Appice and started touring the U.S. Travers recorded cover tunes from bands such as Led Zeppelin, Montrose, Queen, and Trapeze under the album name P.T. Power Trio 2, and they toured Europe in November 2006. He has also performed with the band Scrap Metal.

2008 to 2016 featured one of the longest/most consistent line-ups for the Pat Travers Band. Joining Travers was Kirk McKim (2006–2015; guitar/vocals), Sean Shannon (2008–2010; drums), followed by Sandy Gennaro (2010–2016), and Rodney O'Quinn (2007–2016; bass/vocals). The band released the album Fidelis in late 2009. In July 2013, they released Can Do via Frontiers Records, a major label based in Italy. Can Do was supported by PTB tours of the U.S., the UK, and Europe during the later half of 2013. In January 2015, Frontiers Records released Live at the Iridium NYC, recorded in February 2012.

Pat Travers Band members

[edit]

Pat Thrall, Nicko McBrain, Clive Edwards, Mick Dyche, Tommy Aldridge, Peter "Mars" Cowling, Barry Dunaway, Jerry Riggs, Gunter Nezhoda, Carmine Appice, Michael Shrieve, Aynsley Dunbar, Kirk McKim, Sandy Gennaro, Rodney O'Quinn, Tommy Craig, Sean Shannon, Randy Lane, Frank McDaniel, David LaRue, Eric Fretas, and Rick Navarro are some of the noted musicians who have been members of the Pat Travers Band through the years.

As of 2021, the band consists of Travers (guitars, vocals), Alex Petrosky (drums) and David Pastorius (bass).[9]

Acclaim

[edit]

Paul Gilbert has referred to Travers as a "guitar god",[10] and Kirk Hammett of Metallica has cited him as one of his favourite guitar players.[11]

[edit]

"Rage of Travers", the ninth track on The Mountain Goats' 2017 album Goths, retells an incident in which Travers—on tour in 1982 or 1983—showed up, guitar in hand and looking to jam, at a Bauhaus concert after his own gig ended. The chorus, "Nobody wants to hear the 12-bar blues/from a guy in platform shoes", highlights the speed with which the commercial landscape of rock changed in the early 1980s, especially as MTV promoted more visually distinctive acts.[12]

In the 2004 movie Sideways, the song "Snortin' Whiskey" is playing as Miles tries to recover Jack's wallet.

In the 1983 movie Valley Girl, the song "I La La La Love You" is playing when Randy, Julie, Fred and Stacey leave the party and head to Hollywood.

Discography

[edit]
Travers in 2014

Albums

[edit]
  • 1976 Pat Travers
  • 1977 Makin' Magic
  • 1977 Putting It Straight
  • 1978 Heat in the Street
  • 1978 The Pat Travers You Missed Mini-Album (EP)
  • 1979 Live! Go for What You Know
  • 1980 Crash and Burn
  • 1981 Radio Active
  • 1982 Black Pearl
  • 1984 Hot Shot
  • 1990 School of Hard Knocks
  • 1991 Boom Boom – Live at the Diamond Club, Toronto (live 1990)
  • 1992 BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert (live 1977 and 1980; re-released in 2000)
  • 1992 Blues Tracks
  • 1993 Just a Touch
  • 1994 Blues Magnet
  • 1995 Halfway to Somewhere
  • 1996 Lookin' Up
  • 1997 King Biscuit Flower Hour (live 1984)
  • 1998 Blues Tracks 2
  • 2000 Don't Feed the Alligators
  • 2003 Etched in Stone (live 2002; 2-CD)
  • 2003 P.T. Power Trio (also called just... Power Trio)
  • 2003 From the Front... Live! (live 1984; DVD-Audio)
  • 2005 PT=MC2
  • 2005 Boom Boom – Live at the Diamond Club 1990 (CD & DVD)
  • 2006 Live – Hooked on Music (live 1976; DVD)
  • 2006 P.T. Power Trio 2
  • 2008 Stick with What You Know – Live in Europe (live 2007)
  • 2009 Black Betty
  • 2010 Fidelis
  • 2012 Blues on Fire
  • 2013 Live at the Bamboo Room (CD & DVD)
  • 2013 Can Do
  • 2014 Snortin' Whiskey at the Warfield (Official Bootleg)
  • 2015 Live at the Iridium NYC
  • 2015 Retro Rocket
  • 2017 Live at Rockpalast – Cologne 1976 (live 1976; CD & DVD)
  • 2019 Swing!
  • 2019 Live in Concert – April 30th 1981 (Stanley Theatre, Pittsburgh)
  • 2022 The Art of Time Travel
  • 2023 Live at Reading 1980
  • 2024 Live 'N' Loaded '84

Singles released during major label career

[edit]
  • 1976 "Makes No Difference" (promo single to debut album)
  • 1976 "Stop and Smile"
  • 1977 "Stevie"
  • 1977 "Rock 'N' Roll Susie"
  • 1977 "Gettin' Betta"
  • 1977 "Life in London"
  • 1978 "Heat in the Street"
  • 1978 "Go All Night"
  • 1979 "Boom, Boom (Out Go the Lights) – Live!" (UK single)
  • 1980 "Is This Love" (US single)
  • 1980 "Snortin' Whiskey" (US single)
  • 1980 "Evie" (Netherlands only single)
  • 1980 "Crash and Burn"
  • 1980 "(Your Love) Can't Be Right"
  • 1981 "My Life Is on the Line"
  • 1981 "New Age Music" (Netherlands only single)
  • 1981 "I Can Love You"
  • 1982 "I La La La Love You"
  • 1982 "Rockin'"
  • 1982 "I'd Rather See You Dead"
  • 1984 "Women on the Edge of Love"
  • 1984 "Killer"

Compilation albums

[edit]
  • 1985 Boom Boom...The Best of Pat Travers
  • 1990 An Anthology, Vol. 1
  • 1990 An Anthology, Vol. 2
  • 1991 The Best of Pat Travers
  • 1997 Best of Blues Plus Live! (studio and 1997 live recordings)
  • 2003 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection: The Best of Pat Travers
  • 2004 Rock Solid: The Essential Collection (Germany)
  • 2007 Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)
  • 2008 8+8: The Best of '70–'80 (live recordings) (Germany)
  • 2009 Travelin' Blues
  • 2015 Feelin' Right: The Polydor Albums 1975–1984 (Remastered)

Travers & Appice albums

[edit]
  • 2004 It Takes a Lot of Balls
  • 2005 Live at the House of Blues
  • 2005 Bazooka
  • 2014 Live in Europe
  • 2016 The Balls Album

Guest appearances

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Pat Travers

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from Grokipedia
Pat Travers (born Patrick Henry Travers; April 12, 1954) is a Canadian rock , singer, and songwriter renowned for his blues-infused style and contributions to the genre during the late and early . Emerging from Toronto's music scene, he achieved commercial success with his band, the Pat Travers Band, through high-energy live performances and albums featuring gritty guitar riffs and boogie-driven tracks, including the hits "Snortin' Whiskey" and "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)". Over a career spanning more than four decades, Travers has released over 30 albums, toured extensively with acts like Rush and , and influenced such as and . Born and raised in , , Travers picked up the guitar at age 12 shortly after witnessing a performance by in , an event that profoundly shaped his musical direction. His early influences included , , , and , leading him to play in local bands such as Red Hot and Merge while performing in clubs as a teenager. At age 20, he relocated to , , where he signed with and released his self-titled debut album in April 1976, marking the start of his professional recording career. Travers formed the Pat Travers Band in the late 1970s with notable collaborators like guitarist Pat Thrall and drummer Tommy Aldridge, producing key albums such as Makin' Magic (1977), Heat in the Street (1978), the live recording Live! Go for What You Know (1979, which reached the Top 40 in the U.S.), and Crash and Burn (1980). The band's dynamic twin-guitar sound and high-octane tours, including opening for Rush and appearances at festivals like Reading (1976 and 1980), solidified his reputation in the hard rock world. After a period of lineup changes and solo efforts in the 1980s, such as Radio Active (1981) and Black Pearl (1982), Travers shifted toward blues-oriented releases like Blues Tracks (1993) and continued touring into the 2000s with projects including the Voices of Classic Rock supergroup. Now based in central Florida with his wife Monica and two children, he remains active, releasing albums such as Retro Rocket (2015) and The Art of Time Travel (2022), along with several live recordings in 2025, while maintaining a rigorous touring schedule and holding a black belt in Isshin Ryu karate.

Early years

Childhood and musical beginnings

Patrick Henry Travers was born on April 12, 1954, in , , . Raised in a musical household with a British mother who introduced him to and an Irish father who favored pop tunes, Travers showed early interest in music through family sing-alongs featuring his uncle's guitar. Travers began playing guitar at the age of 12 in 1966, receiving his first instrument—a Stella acoustic—from his uncle, who owned a local music store in . Largely self-taught, he honed his skills independently by studying instructional books in his uncle's store basement, gradually building technical proficiency without formal lessons. A pivotal moment came around 1968, when, at age 13, Travers attended a Jimi Hendrix concert in Ottawa on March 19, witnessing the guitarist's innovative performance with three Marshall stacks. This live experience profoundly sparked Travers' passion for rock and blues guitar, solidifying Hendrix as a major influence alongside figures like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. During his teenage years, Travers gained foundational experience through local bands such as , Red Hot, and Merge, performing in Quebec-area clubs and playing the circuit to refine his abilities in a raw, hands-on environment. While performing with Merge around 1973–1975, he was noticed by artist , who invited him to join as lead guitarist for about a year, providing valuable professional experience.

Relocation and entry into music industry

At the age of 21, Pat Travers relocated from , , to , , in 1975, driven by the desire to immerse himself in the vibrant scene and pursue greater professional opportunities unavailable in his home country. Arriving with limited resources and no established connections, he spent the initial months acclimating to the city while seeking ways to break into the industry. Travers quickly set about recording a rudimentary four-song demo tape, featuring cover songs rather than originals, which he shopped around to major record labels through personal outreach and industry contacts. After facing initial rejections from A&R representatives at several companies, the demo caught the attention of Polydor's managing director in , leading to a direct meeting with the label's president and a by mid-1975. This swift discovery was bolstered by informal local gigs that showcased his guitar prowess and helped build buzz in the underground scene. With the deal secured, Travers assembled the inaugural Pat Travers Band lineup, recruiting experienced UK session musicians bassist Peter "Mars" Cowling—who had prior ties to the local rock circuit—and drummer , formerly of . Travers himself took on the multifaceted roles of lead guitarist, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter, establishing the band's foundation from the outset. This core trio prepared for their debut recordings, marking Travers' transition from aspiring performer to signed artist in the competitive British music landscape.

Musical career

1970s: Debut and rise to fame

Pat Travers released his self-titled debut album in 1976 through , featuring tracks such as "Stop and Smile" and an early version of "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)." The record introduced his blues-infused style but achieved only modest commercial reception, without entering the Billboard 200. In 1977, Travers followed with , emphasizing raw guitar-driven energy, and later that year issued , which marked his first chart entry by peaking at number 70 on the in 1978. These albums highlighted his growing command of blues-rock elements, blending gritty riffs with accessible hooks. The 1978 release continued this evolution, reaching number 99 on the and incorporating experimental guitar effects alongside blues-based structures. Travers supported the album with extensive U.S. touring, including opening slots for Rush during their 1978 dates, which helped cultivate a dedicated fanbase. By 1979, the live album Live! Go for What You Know captured the band's high-octane stage presence, peaking at number 29 on the and featuring a standout cover of "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)" that climbed to number 56 on the . This breakthrough solidified Travers' reputation in the scene, paving the way for his commercial ascent with the 1980 album Crash and Burn.

1980s: Commercial peak and initial decline

The 1980 album Crash and Burn represented the height of Pat Travers' commercial success, peaking at number 20 on the chart and featuring the radio staple "Snortin' Whiskey," which drove significant airplay and fan engagement. The track's raw energy, combined with the album's blend of riffs and influences, solidified Travers' presence, while the earlier single "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)," re-emphasized from his live work, reached number 56 on the Hot 100. Building on this momentum, Travers released Radio Active in 1981, which climbed to number 37 on the and shifted toward a sound with prominent keyboards and guest contributions, maintaining his high-energy style. The album supported extensive touring, including co-headlining dates with that drew large crowds and boosted visibility in major venues across and . Follow-up efforts like the 1982 album continued this arena-oriented approach, incorporating horn sections for added texture, though chart performance began to wane amid evolving rock landscapes. By the mid-1980s, Travers faced mounting challenges from label disputes with Polydor, including inadequate promotion that led to his departure and a successful lawsuit for . This period also coincided with shifting music trends favoring glam and hair metal acts, diminishing demand for his blues-infused . The 1984 release Hot Shot on Polydor captured some of this tension, peaking at number 91 on the and gaining limited exposure through the video for "Just Another Killer Day," but sales fell short of prior efforts, marking the onset of reduced commercial visibility.

1990s–2000s: Blues revival and collaborations

In 1990, following challenges with major labels in the previous decade, Pat Travers released School of on Episode Records, recorded with musicians including bassist Tommy Calire, guitarist , and keyboardist Scott Zymowski, emphasizing gritty -rock riffs over the arena-oriented of his earlier career. The release marked a deliberate pivot toward traditions, allowing Travers to reconnect with his guitar-driven roots amid a shifting landscape. In 1992, he signed a recording deal with Blues Bureau International Records, an imprint founded by producer and focused on and . Travers deepened this blues revival through subsequent Blues Bureau releases, including Blues Tracks in 1992, a covers album featuring interpretations of classics by artists such as ("") and (""), showcasing his raw, expressive guitar tone. The 1993 follow-up Just a Touch further reflected this evolution, blending original compositions like "" with blues structures and a looser, more improvisational feel that contrasted his 1980s polished production. These albums, supported by bassists like Brad Russell, helped sustain Travers' visibility in niche rock circles by prioritizing authentic blues expression over commercial radio appeal. By the mid-2000s, Travers expanded his collaborative efforts, forming the supergroup Travers & Appice in 2004 with drummer , known for his work with and . Their debut album, It Takes a Lot of Balls, produced tracks like "Taken" and "Better from a Distance," fusing Travers' bluesy guitar leads with Appice's powerful rhythms in a hard blues-rock hybrid. The partnership yielded live recordings, including Live in from their 2004 tour, featuring guest bassist Tony Franklin and capturing high-energy performances of staples like "Snortin' Whiskey." Travers and Appice continued their collaboration with the 2005 release Bazooka, which included reimagined hits such as "Crash & Burn" and Stevie Wonder's "," highlighting their shared affinity for blues-inflected rock anthems. Throughout the , Travers also made guest appearances with artists like , contributing guitar work to live settings and festivals that reinforced his role in the enduring community. Amid declining major-label support for rock acts, he sustained his career through consistent club- and theater-level touring across the U.S. and , often performing with rotating lineups to deliver sets blending his 1970s classics with newer blues material.

2010s–present: Recent albums and ongoing tours

In the 2010s, Pat Travers continued his musical output with the release of the studio album Can Do in , issued by Frontiers Records and featuring a high-energy blend of elements that echoed his earlier style. This album marked a return to original material after a period focused on live recordings and collaborations, showcasing Travers' guitar-driven sound with tracks emphasizing and electric intensity. Travers' productivity extended into the 2020s with The Art of Time Travel, released on August 19, 2022, by , which combined contemporary songwriting with tributes to rock influences, including the track "Ronnie," a homage to . The album drew on Travers' late-1970s muscular playing style while addressing modern themes, such as those inspired by the in songs like "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do." In , he issued the live album Live 'N' Loaded '84 on September 6 via Purple Pyramid Records, a remastered archival recording of a 1984 performance in that captured the band's high-octane stage energy from the 1980s era. Throughout this period, Travers maintained an active touring schedule, including the 2024 Summer Tour across , emphasizing his signature format with Kirk McKim on guitar and on drums. In 2025, the band performed at The Vault in , on November 14; Historic Watseka Theatre in , on November 15; and WC Social Club in , on November 16. In August 2025, Travers participated in the On the Blue Cruise, performing alongside other artists. Additional tours are scheduled into 2026, including a show at The Coach House in , on January 29, 2026. Without major label backing, Travers has adapted to digital distribution and direct fan engagement, releasing music through platforms like and interacting via social media channels such as , , and X (formerly ) to share updates, behind-the-scenes content, and tour announcements, thereby sustaining his career and connection with audiences into 2025.

Band personnel

Key historical members

Peter "Mars" Cowling served as the bassist for the Pat Travers Band from 1977 through the 1990s, becoming one of Travers' longest-standing collaborators and contributing to the core on key albums such as (1977), (1978), and Crash and Burn (1980). His tenure spanned extensive touring during the band's commercial rise in the late and early , providing a solid blues-rock foundation that complemented Travers' guitar work, as highlighted in live recordings like Live! Go for What You Know (1979). Cowling's two stints with the group underscored his reliability, with his passing in 2018 marking the end of an era for Travers' classic lineup. Pat Thrall joined as second guitarist in the late 1970s, forming a dual-guitar attack that defined the Pat Travers Band's sound through the early 1980s on albums including Heat in the Street and Crash and Burn. He co-wrote the hit single "Snortin' Whiskey" with Travers, which became a staple of the band's live sets and propelled Crash and Burn to commercial success in 1980. Thrall's contributions extended to production elements and harmonies, enhancing the band's arena-ready energy during tours supporting those releases. Tommy Aldridge provided drums for the Pat Travers Band in the early 1980s, bringing a powerful, precise style that powered the group's arena tours and recordings like Radio Active (1981). Known for his work with acts like and , Aldridge's rhythmic intensity amplified the band's edge, particularly in live performances captured on bootlegs and official releases from the period. His involvement helped solidify the Travers Band's reputation for high-energy shows in the post-Crash and Burn era. In the 2000s, drummer Carmine Appice collaborated with Travers on the supergroup project Travers & Appice, releasing albums such as Bazooka (2005) and The Balls Album (2016) that blended their respective blues and hard rock influences. Appice's drumming added a classic rock punch to these efforts, drawing on his experience with Vanilla Fudge and Rod Stewart to create a heavier, collaborative sound distinct from Travers' solo band work.

Current and recent lineup

The Pat Travers Band has maintained a core configuration since the early 2020s, comprising Pat Travers on guitars, vocals, and keyboards, Alex Petrosky on drums, and on bass and vocals. This lineup emphasizes Travers' guitar-driven performances in live settings, with Petrosky's addition in the late bringing enhanced rhythmic energy to the band's shows. Pastorius, the nephew of Jaco , joined the group around the start of the decade to anchor the rhythm section during extensive touring. The streamlined trio setup has been central to the band's 2024–2025 tour schedule, enabling a raw, focused sound that highlights Travers' blues-rock style without additional instrumentation. While the live ensemble remains consistent, recordings occasionally incorporate guest contributors; for instance, the 2022 album The Art of Time Travel featured Pastorius on bass alongside drummer , underscoring the band's flexibility in studio work while relying on the core group for ongoing performances.

Legacy

Critical acclaim and influences

Pat Travers has garnered significant praise from prominent guitarists for his blues-rock fusion and technical skill. of Metallica has cited Travers as one of his favorite guitar players, highlighting his influence on guitar playing. Similarly, has expressed deep admiration for Travers, noting his impact on Gilbert's early guitar development and describing him as a key musical hero from his youth. These endorsements underscore Travers' reputation for blending phrasing with rock intensity, particularly through his expressive lead work and rhythmic precision. Travers received recognition for his innovative guitar tones and songwriting during the 1980s, a period marked by his commercial hits like "Snortin' Whiskey" and "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)." Critics and peers noted his pioneering use of effects, such as phasers and delays, to create distinctive, swirling textures that enhanced his blues-driven hard rock sound. While formal awards were sparse— including a nomination for Featured Artist of the Year in Vintage Guitar magazine's Readers' Choice Awards—retrospectives emphasize his enduring fan loyalty and the timeless appeal of his songcraft, which balanced raw energy with melodic hooks. Travers exerted influence on the 1980s hard rock scene by inspiring guitar-centric acts that incorporated blues elements into heavier riffs and solos, contributing to the era's fusion of classic rock traditions with emerging metal sensibilities. His own tributes to predecessors like Jimi Hendrix—through covers such as "Red House" and stylistic nods to Hendrix's improvisational fire—and Ronnie Montrose, via the heartfelt 2022 song "Ronnie" on his album The Art of Time Travel, affirm his position within rock's lineage. In a 2022 Goldmine interview, Travers discussed the "upside of sounding retro," reflecting a critical reevaluation that celebrates his longevity and the renewed appreciation for his unyielding guitar-oriented approach amid contemporary revivals of classic rock sounds. Pat Travers' music has gained prominence in film soundtracks, extending his reach beyond live performances and recordings into broader popular culture. The track "I La La La Love You," performed by Pat Travers' Black Pearl, appears on the soundtrack for the 1983 coming-of-age comedy Valley Girl, where it accompanies scenes capturing the film's vibrant Los Angeles punk and new wave scene. Likewise, "Snortin' Whiskey" features in the 2004 dramedy Sideways, playing during a pivotal sequence in which the character Miles Raymond frantically searches for his friend's lost wallet amid a wine country mishap, highlighting the song's raw energy in a moment of comedic tension. Several of Travers' signature songs have been included in rock compilation albums, preserving his blues-infused style for new generations of listeners. For example, "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)" is featured on collections such as The Very Best Of Pat Travers (2009), which aggregates his hits and live cuts to showcase his guitar-driven sound. These anthologies underscore Travers' place in the and rock canon. Travers has paid homage to influences through original compositions that resonate in music media and tributes. His 2022 single "Ronnie," from the album The Art of Time Travel, serves as an emotional tribute to late guitarist and mentor Ronnie Montrose, blending gritty riffs with reflective lyrics that evoke Montrose's legacy in hard rock. The track has been spotlighted in interviews and reviews as a standout nod to Montrose's impact on Travers' career, appearing in discussions of rock mentorship and loss. In fan and music communities, Travers' songs inspire covers and collaborations that amplify his cultural footprint. Notably, in 2020, guitarist Dave Rude of Tesla teamed up with (ex-Machine Head), Sean Killian (), Dan McNay (Jack Russell's Great White), and Mark Hernandez (Dress the Dead) to record a high-energy cover of "Snortin' Whiskey," released as a video that captures the song's enduring appeal in heavy rock circles. While Travers has not pursued significant acting roles, his persona as a rock staple shines through cameo guest appearances at festivals and cruises. He joined Tesla onstage for performances of his classics like "Snortin' Whiskey" and "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)" during the 2019 Monsters of Rock Cruise, delighting fans with impromptu jams that highlight his improvisational guitar prowess. Similar guest spots, such as his rendition of "" at the 2015 Wachusetts Mountain Blues Fest alongside Odell's Legends, further embed Travers in live rock culture without formal cinematic involvement. As of 2025, Travers maintains an active touring schedule, including performances across , reinforcing his lasting presence in the rock scene.

Discography

Studio albums

Pat Travers has released 26 studio albums over his career, spanning , , and guitar-driven compositions. His early recordings, issued during the Polydor era from 1976 to 1981, emphasized a high-energy sound infused with elements, establishing his reputation as a dynamic and songwriter. Later works, particularly from the onward, reflect an evolution toward blues-oriented material through independent labels, as exemplified by the 2013 release Can Do on Frontiers Records, which blends rock vigor with introspective blues tracks. Among his commercial highlights, the 1980 album Crash and Burn achieved peak position at No. 20 on the chart. The following table lists Travers' studio albums in chronological order:
YearAlbum Title
1976Pat Travers
1977
1977
1978
1980Crash and Burn
1981Radio Active
1982
1984Hot Shot
1990
1992Blues Tracks
1993Just a Touch
1994Blues Magnet
1995Halfway to Somewhere
1996Lookin' Up
1998Blues Tracks 2
2000Don't Feed the Alligators
2003P.T. Power Trio
2005PT=MC2
2006P.T. Power Trio 2
2009Travelin' Blues
2010Fidelis
2012Blues on Fire
2013Can Do
2015Retro Rocket
2019Swing!
2022The Art of Time Travel

Live albums

Pat Travers has released over 20 live albums throughout his career, capturing the raw energy of his performances across various tours and venues, from large arenas in the late to intimate club settings in recent years. These recordings highlight his evolution as a and performer, often featuring extended improvisations and crowd interactions that distinguish them from studio versions. His breakthrough live release, Live! Go for What You Know (1979), documented shows from U.S. tours supporting his early Polydor albums, emphasizing high-octane renditions of hits like "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)" and "Snortin' Whiskey." Produced by Travers and Tom Allom, the album achieved status in the United States and solidified his reputation for delivering explosive live sets during the height of his phase. In the mid-2000s, Travers collaborated with drummer for Live at the House of Blues (2005), recorded at the renowned venue and featuring bassist . This album showcased a blues-infused sound, with tracks like "Rockin' Every Night" extended into fiery jams that reflected their joint touring efforts and mutual influences in the power trio format. Another collaborative effort, Live in Europe (2014) by Travers & Appice, drew from 2004 European tour dates and included guest bassist Tony Franklin, delivering a setlist blending Travers' classics with covers in a high-energy atmosphere suited to overseas audiences. Released by Purple Pyramid Records, it underscored Travers' enduring appeal in international markets during a period of revitalized touring. More recently, the archival release Live 'N' Loaded '84 (2024) remastered performances from a 1984 show in Florida, offering fans previously bootlegged material with tracks such as "Stevie" and "Life in London" that capture the band's club-era intensity. Issued by Cleopatra Records, this 14-track set provides insight into Travers' transitional 1980s phase, bridging his mainstream success with more grassroots performances. In 2025, Travers released the live single "Going Down To Jacksonville (Live 1983)" from archival 1983 recordings. These key live albums, among a catalog exceeding two dozen, illustrate Travers' commitment to preserving his tour-documented legacy, evolving from stadium-filling spectacles to focused, blues-rooted club gigs that maintain his signature guitar-driven excitement.

Compilations and collaborations

Pat Travers has seen several compilation albums released that curate highlights from his extensive catalog, often focusing on his blues-rock anthems and radio staples from the late 1970s and early 1980s. The 2009 collection The Very Best Of, issued by Purple Pyramid Records, features 21 tracks including covers like "" and originals such as "Boom Boom (Out Go The Lights)" and "Snortin' Whiskey," drawing primarily from his Polydor-era work. Earlier, Boom Boom ... The Best Of Pat Travers, released in 1985 on Profile Records, compiled key singles and album cuts like "Life in " and "," emphasizing his high-energy guitar-driven sound. These retrospectives highlight Travers' commercial peaks, with tracks sourced from major label releases between 1976 and 1981. In addition to full-length compilations, Travers issued the promotional EP The Pat Travers You Missed in 1978 on , a mini-album containing five tracks from his 1976 self-titled debut, including "Stop and Smile" and "Rock 'n' Roll Susie," aimed at radio and industry promotion. Among his singles from the major label period, "Snortin' Whiskey," co-written with and released in 1980 from the album Crash and Burn, became a significant radio hit, showcasing Travers' raw, riff-heavy style and contributing to the album's Top 20 placement. Travers has also engaged in notable collaborations, particularly with drummer Carmine Appice, blending Travers' guitar prowess with Appice's hard-rock rhythm foundation. Their 2004 album It Takes a Lot of Balls, released on Shrapnel Records, includes covers like "Evil" and originals such as "Handy Dandy Man," marking a high-octane partnership rooted in classic rock influences. This was followed by Bazooka in 2005 on Magna Carta Records, featuring tracks like "Crash & Burn" and "Superstition," which further fused their styles in a studio setting. These joint projects represent a deliberate extension of Travers' solo career into collaborative territory, emphasizing live-wire energy and shared rock heritage.

References

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