Pat Travers: The Powerhouse of Canadian Blues Rock

Pat Travers is a Canadian guitarist and singer-songwriter renowned for his high-energy blend of blues, hard rock, and boogie. Hailing from Toronto, his career breakthrough came with the 1976 live album Pat Travers - Makin' Magic, but he is best known for the 1979 hit single "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)" which became a staple of rock radio.

Early Career

Born in 1954 in Toronto, Pat Travers began playing guitar in his early teens, inspired by artists like Jimi Hendrix and Cream. After moving to London in the mid-1970s to pursue music, he formed the Pat Travers Band and released his self-titled debut album in 1976 on Polydor Records, establishing his gritty vocal style and formidable guitar technique.

Breakthrough

The pivotal moment arrived with his 1979 album Live! Go for What You Know, recorded in Florida. The album was propelled by the explosive performance of "Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights)," a cover of the Little Walter song. This track became a definitive FM radio hit, driving the album to Gold certification in the United States and cementing his reputation as a dynamic live performer.

Key Tracks

Boom Boom (Out Go the Lights) - This live cover became his signature song, a hard-rocking anthem that dominated AOR radio and remains a concert highlight.

Snortin' Whiskey - A driving rock track from the 1980 album Crash and Burn that further solidified his standing with American rock audiences.

Heat in the Street - The title track from his 1976 album showcased his early, potent mix of blues roots and heavy guitar riffs.

Makin' Magic - The instrumental title track from his 1977 album highlighted his technical skill and melodic songwriting beyond straightforward rock.

Throughout the 1980s, Travers continued to release albums like Black Pearl (1982) and experimented with a more commercial hard rock sound. While mainstream chart success proved elusive after the early 80s, he maintained a loyal fanbase through relentless touring. His later work, including albums like Blues Tracks (1998) and Fidelis (2013), saw a return to his blues-rock foundations, often featuring collaborations with other respected guitarists.

Artists with a similar high-energy blues-rock approach from North America include Govt Mule, known for their extended jams and powerful live shows. George Thorogood shares a similar foundation in blues covers amplified for rock audiences. The guitar-driven rock of April Wine offers a comparable Canadian perspective on the 1970s and 80s rock scene. For fans of Travers's fiery guitar work, the music of Robin Trower provides a similarly Hendrix-inspired, psychedelic-tinged blues rock experience.

Pat Travers's music, particularly his classic live recordings, continues to be featured on classic rock and blues rock radio stations, keeping his powerful guitar sound alive for new generations of listeners.

The music of Pat Travers can be heard on radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his classic hits and deep cuts through the rock and blues stations available on onairium.com.