With his poster-boy looks, pleasant voice, a knack for composing a memorable tune and an aptitude for an exquisite guitar passage, the only talent the late Robin George could do without was his uncanny ability to turn up in the right place at the wrong time. He became an integral member of THE BYRON BAND, writing and playing with David Byron before the singer went off the rails, and a potential Phil Lynott’s partner in the about-to-reform THIN LIZZY before the Irish legend passed away; he worked with MAGNUM and ASIA but didn’t become part of these bands; he recorded with Robert Plant and Glenn Hughes only to see their joint efforts shelved and get issued many years later. No less importantly, the British artist had a hit with “Heartline” back in 1985 yet failed to become a star when the single’s parent album "Dangerous Music" couldn’t be properly promoted due to the label going bankrupt. Still, the veteran found the strength to revitalize his career, both solo and as part, alongside Pete Way and Chris Slade, DAMAGE CONTROL. So there’s a lot of stories George used to tell – and did just that, when meeting up with this scribe for an interview in Wolverhampton, many years ago, as well when we worked on liner notes for a couple of releases – before he passed away in 2024, so a book on him seemed long-overdue. And now the tome’s been written and published.
Penned by Martin Tracey – who hails from the same neck of the woods as his subject, who’s been the artist’s fan from the “Heartline” times, and whose bibliography includes books on DURAN DURAN and BLACK SABBATH – “Heartline: The Authorised Biography of Robin George” promises to be a riveting read.
Heartline:
The Authorised Biography of Robin George
“It was an honor to write the biography for Robin,” says the author. “We were introduced to one another by Vix from FUZZBOX, and although Robin never spoke about his terminal health condition to me, it was inevitable that the book wouldn’t be finished before we lost him. He gave me some gems in terms of stories: the only recorded tapes that went missing when Phil Lynott died and therefore just missing out on being part of a revamped THIN LIZZY being just one. But like me, Robin liked an ale or two, so in addition to the musical stories I had first hand accounts of comical nights out with people like David Byron.
“When Robin passed I was determined to finish his biography. The world needed to know his story and all about his great work, which has been harnessed and presented in literary form. Lots of people helped me with their memories: Vix, Peter Goalby from URIAH HEEP, Mark Stanway from MAGNUM, Nick Tart and Sean Harris from DIAMOND HEAD, and so many more. Also, Robin’s wife and family shared some brilliant and heartfelt memories as did many of Robin’s fans. He had a special relationship with his fans, and for a guy of his status he was incredibly accessible to them.”
