Procol Harum "A Whiter Shade Of Pale (1967)" THEN vs NOW

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Procol Harum is a British rock band formed in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, in 1967. The group emerged from the ashes of the R&B band The Paramounts, which had featured future Procol members Gary Brooker, Robin Trower, B.J. Wilson, and Chris Copping.

The band's name reportedly came from the (misspelled) name of a friend’s Burmese cat, “Procul Harun,” although other interpretations have circulated over the years.

🌟 Breakthrough and "A Whiter Shade of Pale"
The group achieved instant fame with their debut single, "A Whiter Shade of Pale", released in May 1967. It became:

A worldwide hit (#1 in the UK, #5 in the US)

A defining song of the Summer of Love

One of the most iconic tracks in rock history

The song blended Bach-inspired organ melodies with surreal lyrics by Keith Reid and vocals by Gary Brooker, creating a unique and haunting sound.

👥 Classic Lineup (1967–1969)
Gary Brooker – vocals, piano (band leader, composer)

Matthew Fisher – Hammond organ (responsible for the baroque sound)

Robin Trower – guitar (blues and rock edge)

David Knights – bass guitar

B.J. Wilson – drums (expressive, jazz-influenced style)

Keith Reid – lyricist (wrote almost all lyrics, though not a performing member)

🔄 Lineup Changes and Chris Copping Era (1969–1977)
After Matthew Fisher and David Knights left in 1969, Chris Copping joined, taking over organ and bass duties. This marked the beginning of a more progressive and complex phase in the band's music.

Key albums from this era include:

Home (1970)

Broken Barricades (1971)

Live in Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (1972)

Grand Hotel (1973)

Exotic Birds and Fruit (1974)

Procol’s Ninth (1975)

Something Magic (1977)

The lineup during much of this era:

Gary Brooker

Chris Copping

B.J. Wilson

Robin Trower (until 1971), replaced by Mick Grabham

Alan Cartwright (bass)

Keith Reid (lyrics)

🎻 Symphonic Rock and Innovation
Procol Harum was a pioneer of symphonic rock, incorporating classical elements into rock music long before it became a trend. Their 1972 live album with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra was a critical and commercial success, featuring orchestral versions of their songs.

🛑 Disbandment and Reunions
The band disbanded in 1977 but reunited in 1991, releasing:

The Prodigal Stranger (1991)

The Well’s on Fire (2003)

Novum (2017)

Brooker remained the central figure throughout all incarnations of the band.

✝️ Legacy and Loss
B.J. Wilson died in 1990.

Gary Brooker passed away in February 2022, marking the likely end of Procol Harum as an active band.

Matthew Fisher and Robin Trower both had successful solo careers.

Keith Reid, the band’s lyricist, died in 2023.

📀 Notable Albums
Procol Harum (1967)

Shine on Brightly (1968)

A Salty Dog (1969)

Home (1970)

Grand Hotel (1973)

Live: Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (1972)

🏆 Musical Style and Influence
Procol Harum’s sound fused:

Classical music

Blues

Psychedelic rock

Progressive rock
BAND: Chris Copping, Gary Brooker, B. J. Wilson, Keith Reid, Robin Trower
They influenced countless progressive and symphonic rock acts, including Genesis, King Crimson, and The Alan Parsons Project.
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