Bob Seger’s ‘Magic’ Recalled by West Michigan Studio Owner, Silver Bullet Band Alum Robyn Robins

By John Sinkevics | Local Spins

When Bob Seger formed his Silver Bullet Band in the mid-1970s after struggling to find the right musicians to drive his rootsy, Michigan-muscled rock, he ended up leaning on a talented bunch of experienced session players and performers who developed a rare chemistry.

Keyboard player Robyn Robins was among them, a graduate of Grosse Pointe South High School who started working as a Detroit recording studio and Motown session musician at age 17.

The keyboardist joined the likes of saxophonist Alto Reed, guitarist Drew Abbott, drummer Charlie Allen Martin, bassist Chris Campbell and other “kick-ass” players to propel Seger to super-stardom -- through iconic albums such as “Beautiful Loser,” “Live Bullet,” “Night Moves” and “Stranger in Town.”

Robins, 62, moved to the Grand Rapids area seven years ago after spending time in Northern Ireland as a recording/mastering engineer and now runs Robyn Robins Productions studio in Wyoming, with a sister operation in Nashville. Meanwhile, Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band performed Tuesday night at sold-out Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids.