Procol Harum
Procol Harum
Background information
Origin	London, England
Genre(s)	Psychedelic rock Progressive rock
Years active	1967—1977 1991—present
Label(s)	Regal Zonophone Records Reprise Records (US) A&M Records Chrysalis Records Deram Records
Associated acts	The Paramounts
Website	ProcolHarum.com - 'Beyond the Pale' (Procol Harum's semi-official website)
Members
Gary Brooker Geoff Dunn Matt Pegg Josh Phillips Geoff Whitehorn Keith Reid
Former members
Dave Ball Dave Bronze Mark Brzezicki Alan Cartwright Chris Copping Matthew Fisher Mick Grabham Bobby Harrison David Knights Dee Murray Pete Solley Robin Trower B.J. Wilson

Procol Harum is a British rock band, formed in the 1960s, who built an important foundation for what would become progressive rock, or perhaps more closely, symphonic rock. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Psychedelic rock is a style of Rock music that attempts to replicate the mind-altering experiences of hallucinogenic drugs. Progressive rock (often shortened to " progressive " " prog " or " prog rock " is a form of Rock music that evolved In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Regal Zonophone Records is a British Record label formed in 1932, through a merger of the Regal Records and Zonophone Records labels Reprise Records is an American Record label, founded in 1960 by Frank Sinatra, which is owned by Warner Music Group, and operated A&M Records is an American Record label owned by Universal Music Group which operates through the Interscope-Geffen-A&M division Chrysalis Records was a British Record label that was created in 1969 Deram Records was a Record label set up by Decca Records. It was active from 1966 until 1979 Gary Brooker, MBE, (born 29 May 1943) is an English singer Songwriter, Pianist and founder of the Rock band Geoff Dunn (born 1961 in Clapham, London, England) has since 2002 until 2007 been the drummer with the rock band Manfred Mann's Earth Band Matt Pegg (born Matthew Pegg 27 March 1971) is the son of Fairport Convention and Jethro Tull Bass guitar player Dave Pegg Josh Phillips (born Jonathan Hart 19 December 1962, Rochester, Kent, England) is a Hammond organ player and Record Geoffrey Charles 'Geoff' Whitehorn (born 29 August 1951, London, England) is a Guitarist and Singer-songwriter. Keith Reid (born Keith Stuart Brian Reid, 19 October 1946 Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England) is a Songwriter who wrote the David 'Dave' J Ball (born 30 March 1950 in Handsworth Birmingham, England) is a Guitar player who is currently resident of New Dave Bronze (born David Eric Bronze 2 April 1952, Billericay, Essex) is an English Bass guitar player Mark Brzezicki (born Mark Michael Brzezicki 21 June 1957, Slough, Berkshire, England) is a rock Drummer Alan George Cartwright (born 10 October 1945, in North London, England) was a bass player but now runs a bar Chris Copping (born 29 August 1945, Middleton, Lancashire, England) is a Musician and Singer-songwriter who Matthew Fisher (born Matthew Charles Fisher 7 March 1946 in Addiscombe, Croydon, England) is the Mick Grabham (born Michael Grabham, 22 January 1948, Sunderland, County Durham, England) played Lead guitar David Knights (born David John Knights 28 June 1945, Islington, North London) was the original Bass guitarist in Procol Harum Dee Murray (3 April 1946 - 15 January 1992 was an English Bassist, best known as a member of Elton John 's original rock band Peter Solley (born 19 October 1948) is a Hammond organ player Pianist and a Grammy-nominated Record producer. Robin Trower (born 9 March 1945 in Catford, South East London, England) is an English rock Guitarist Barrie James Wilson ( 18 March, 1947 -- 8 October, 1990) born in Edmonton London, England; was the original Drummer The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 Progressive rock (often shortened to " progressive " " prog " or " prog rock " is a form of Rock music that evolved Symphonic rock is a subgenre of rock music, and more specifically Progressive rock. They are best known for their 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which is not only a regular item on classic singles polls, but is also regarded as being a seminal track in the development of pop music and particularly progressive rock music. " A Whiter Shade of Pale " is a song by the British band Procol Harum. Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Progressive rock (often shortened to " progressive " " prog " or " prog rock " is a form of Rock music that evolved Procol Harum have had a devoted following throughout their career; their music, although being principally noted for its classical influence, also embraces the blues and pure pop music. Classical music is a broad term that usually refers to mainstream music produced in or rooted in the traditions of Western liturgical and Secular music The Blues is a vocal and instrumental form of Music based on the use of the Blue notes It emerged as an accessible form of self-expression Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure

Contents 1 Beginnings 2 History 2.1 Early years 2.2 Mid-seventies 2.3 1991 and further 3 Authorship lawsuit 4 Influences in Popular Culture 5 Discography 6 DVD recordings 7 References 8 External links

Beginnings

Based in Southend, England, The Paramounts, led by Gary Brooker and Robin Trower and including Chris Copping, scored a moderate British success with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller's "Poison Ivy" in 1964, reaching number 35 in the UK singles chart. Gary Brooker, MBE, (born 29 May 1943) is an English singer Songwriter, Pianist and founder of the Rock band Robin Trower (born 9 March 1945 in Catford, South East London, England) is an English rock Guitarist Chris Copping (born 29 August 1945, Middleton, Lancashire, England) is a Musician and Singer-songwriter who The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (born April 25, 1933) and Mike Stoller (born March 13, 1933) are among the most influential This is about the song by The Coasters. There was also a song of that title by Faster Pussycat. ^[1] They were unable to recreate this, however, and the band fell apart in 1966.

History

Early years

In April 1967, Brooker began working as a singer/songwriter and formed Procol Harum with non-Paramounts Keith Reid (poet), Hammond organist Matthew Fisher, guitarist Ray Royer and bassist David Knights. Keith Reid (born Keith Stuart Brian Reid, 19 October 1946 Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England) is a Songwriter who wrote the The Hammond organ is an electric organ which was invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company Matthew Fisher (born Matthew Charles Fisher 7 March 1946 in Addiscombe, Croydon, England) is the David Knights (born David John Knights 28 June 1945, Islington, North London) was the original Bass guitarist in Procol Harum The band name was chosen by its original manager Guy Stevens after a friend's Burmese cat,^[2] and has been alleged to be Latin for "beyond these things", however the correct Latin translation of "beyond these things" is Procul His. Guy Stevens ( 13 April 1943 &ndash 29 August 1981) worked in a number of different roles in the British Music industry The Burmese (ศุภลักษณ์ subh-bha-lak meaning fortunate beautiful and splendid appearance is a breed of domesticated Cats split into two Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. ^[3] The name of the band is frequently misspelled; often with Procul, Harem, both, or other variations.

At Olympic Studios, with session drummer (and non-Paramount) Bill Eyden, producer Denny Cordell, and sound engineer Keith Grant, the group recorded "A Whiter Shade of Pale. Olympic Studios is a commercial Recording studio located at 117 Church Road in the south-western suburb of Barnes in London, England. Bill Eyden (born William James Eyden 4 May 1930 in Hounslow, Middlesex - died 15 October 2004 in Isleworth, Middlesex) was a renowned Denny Cordell (born Dennis Cordell-Laverack 1 August 1943, Buenos Aires, Argentina — died 18 February 1995, Dublin " A Whiter Shade of Pale " is a song by the British band Procol Harum. " The song was officially released on May 12, 1967. Events 1191 - Richard I of England marries Berengaria of Navarre. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. With the sudden success of this single and The Moody Blues' "Nights in White Satin", their label Deram Records became known as a premier progressive rock label . The Moody Blues are an English psychedelic rock band originally from Erdington in the city of Birmingham. " Nights in White Satin " is a 1967 single by The Moody Blues, first featured on the album Days of Future Passed. Deram Records was a Record label set up by Decca Records. It was active from 1966 until 1979

With its Bach-like tonality, provided by Fisher's Hammond organ, Brooker's soulful vocals and Reid's mysterious, if not impenetrable, lyrics, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" reached #1 on the British charts and did almost as well in the United States, reaching #5. WikipediaWikiProject Composers#Lead section.2 This article is written in British English including maximised use of "-ise" " A Whiter Shade of Pale " is a song by the British band Procol Harum. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the In the years since, it has become an enduring classic, placing on several polls of the best songs ever.

After "A Whiter Shade of Pale" became a hit, the band set out to consolidate their studio success by touring; their live debut was opening for Jimi Hendrix in 1967. James Marshall Hendrix (born Johnny Allen Hendrix) (November 27 1942 – September 18 1970 was an American Guitarist, Singer and Songwriter The year 1967 was an important year for Psychedelic rock, with releases from The Beatles ( Sgt

The group's follow-up single, "Homburg", with a lineup change of former Paramounts B.J. Wilson on drums and Robin Trower on guitar, was almost as successful in the UK as it reached #6, but the LP Procol Harum, was less successful (it was recorded soon between the two hit singles, but was held back until early 1968 and in mono and phony stereo, which was unusual by that time). Homburg was Procol Harum's follow-up single to their initial 1967 hit " A Whiter Shade of Pale " Barrie James Wilson ( 18 March, 1947 -- 8 October, 1990) born in Edmonton London, England; was the original Drummer Robin Trower (born 9 March 1945 in Catford, South East London, England) is an English rock Guitarist Procol Harum is the self-titled first album by Procol Harum, released in June 1967 A series of singles charted lowly in the US and UK, though rarely both at the same time. A Salty Dog (1969; see 1969 in music) was popular among fans, and was their first album to sell well in the UK; it is still regarded as one of their finest albums. A Salty Dog, by Procol Harum, was released in June 1969 Having an ostensibly nautical theme as indicated by its cover (a Pastiche of the famous Events Perhaps the two most famous musical events of 1969 were concerts The title track in particular gained a good deal of US FM radio airplay, with Reid's ominous lyrics in the forefront. See also Frequency modulation, FM band FM broadcasting is a broadcast Technology invented by Edwin Howard Armstrong that However, Fisher, who produced this album, departed the band soon after its release.

The group would have many personnel changes [1], but their "classic" lineup for their first three albums was Gary Brooker (piano and lead vocals), Robin Trower (guitar and lead vocals), Matthew Fisher (organ and lead vocals), David Knights (bass), B.J. Wilson (drums), and Keith Reid (lyricist). Gary Brooker, MBE, (born 29 May 1943) is an English singer Songwriter, Pianist and founder of the Rock band The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers Robin Trower (born 9 March 1945 in Catford, South East London, England) is an English rock Guitarist The guitar is a Musical instrument with ancient roots that is used in a wide variety of musical styles Matthew Fisher (born Matthew Charles Fisher 7 March 1946 in Addiscombe, Croydon, England) is the The organ (from Greek όργανον – organon "organ instrument tool" is a Keyboard instrument of one or more divisions each David Knights (born David John Knights 28 June 1945, Islington, North London) was the original Bass guitarist in Procol Harum The electric bass guitar (also called electric bass, or simply bass; ˈbeɪs as in "base" is a Stringed instrument played primarily with the Barrie James Wilson ( 18 March, 1947 -- 8 October, 1990) born in Edmonton London, England; was the original Drummer A drum kit (also drum set or trap set) is a collection of Drums Cymbals and sometimes other Percussion instruments such as cowbells Keith Reid (born Keith Stuart Brian Reid, 19 October 1946 Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, England) is a Songwriter who wrote the A lyricist is a Writer who specializes in Song Lyrics, usually paid for by a band to write a custom song(s Former Paramount Chris Copping joined on organ and bass in 1970, and from late 1972 till 1977, the group's guitarist was Mick Grabham, a very worthy successor to Trower. Chris Copping (born 29 August 1945, Middleton, Lancashire, England) is a Musician and Singer-songwriter who Mick Grabham (born Michael Grabham, 22 January 1948, Sunderland, County Durham, England) played Lead guitar

Procol Harum produced a unique sound that emphasized Brooker's melancholy vocal style and an evocative mix of his eclectic piano, Fisher's elegant, church-like organ, Wilson's dramatic drumming and Trower's searing guitar, with frequent black humour and a penchant for experimentation. Musically, Procol Harum was split during all these years between Trower's guitar-driven blues rock style and Brooker's and Fisher's structured classical rock sound. Blues-rock is a hybrid musical genre combining Bluesy improvisations over the 12-bar blues and extended Boogie jams with Rock The group often combined the two into a dynamic fusion, but by 1971 the disparities in style became too great; the end of an era was marked for Procol, with the release of their fifth album Broken Barricades, and subsequent departure of Trower to form his own power trio band; he would be replaced by Dave Ball. The power trio is a Rock and roll band format popularized in the 1960s David 'Dave' J Ball (born 30 March 1950 in Handsworth Birmingham, England) is a Guitar player who is currently resident of New

Procol returned to success on the music charts in the following years with a distinctly symphonic rock sound, often backed by symphony orchestras. Symphonic rock is a subgenre of rock music, and more specifically Progressive rock. An orchestra is an instrumental ensemble, usually fairly large with string brass woodwind sections and possibly a percussion section as well At this they were one of the first groups to achieve success; Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra was a #5 gold album in the U. Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, by the UK band Procol Harum, was released in 1972 it was recorded at the Northern Alberta Jubilee S. in 1972, as well as reaching #48 in Britain. "Conquistador" (a track from their first album, recharted for accompaniment by the Edmonton Symphony in 1971) was a hit single in 1972, getting to #16 in the U. Procol Harum is the self-titled first album by Procol Harum, released in June 1967 S. with considerable additional FM radio airplay, while reaching #22 in the UK. Their follow-up album, Grand Hotel, did fairly well, reaching #21 on the U. S. Billboard Chart in 1973. Events January-February January 9 - Mick Jagger 's request for a Japanese visa is rejected on account of a 1969 drug bust putting an abrupt end

Mid-seventies

More personnel problems contributed to declining sales in the later part of the 1970s, with "Pandora's Box" being their final UK top 20 hit in 1975; the band finally broke up in 1977. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. Year 1975 ( MCMLXXV) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events Bohemian Rhapsody is named 'The Best Single Of The Last 25 Years' by BPI. They reunited for a single performance five months later, when "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was named joint winner (along with Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody") of the Best British Pop Single 1952-1977 at the BRIT Awards, part of Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee. " A Whiter Shade of Pale " is a song by the British band Procol Harum. Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist is a Song written by Freddie Mercury and originally recorded by the band Queen for their 1975 album ''A Night at the Opera''. The BRIT Awards, often simply called The BRITs, are the British Phonographic Industry 's annual pop music awards For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II A Silver Jubilee is a celebration held to mark a 25th anniversary

1991 and further

The band reformed in 1991 (see 1991 in music) with Brooker, Fisher, Trower and Reid (Wilson had died in 1990), and released The Prodigal Stranger, but sales were modest. See also 1991 in music (UK Musical groups established in 1991 Record labels The Prodigal Stranger, by Procol Harum, was released in 1991 The album is dedicated to the memory of Barrie James (B After the album's release, a new incarnation of the band, with Brooker and Fisher but not Trower, toured the US and the world for a few years in the first half of the nineties.

In July 1997, fans arranged the celebration of the 30-year anniversary of the success of "A Whiter Shade of Pale", and invited the then-inactive band to play. " A Whiter Shade of Pale " is a song by the British band Procol Harum. The concert, at Redhill, drew fans from all over the world. A direct result of the concert was the creation of the fan website "Beyond the Pale" in October 1997. Unusual for fan websites, 'Beyond the Pale' prides itself on being updated on a daily basis. Typical updates include the latest Procol Harum news, details of concerts from the 1970s and occasionally messages from the band.

The web site also made fans aware of each other, and thus catalysed and sparked a new interest in the band. This then led to The Palers' Project, in which the fans got together to record three double CD albums of Procol Harum songs in novel arrangements, which in turn financed the web site. A fourth and final double-album is in preparation (2007).

In late 1999, Gary Brooker promised that "Procol will play in 2000", and in September the band played an open-air gig with the New London Sinfonia in Guildford, UK. Gary Brooker, MBE, (born 29 May 1943) is an English singer Songwriter, Pianist and founder of the Rock band Guildford ( IPA /ˈgɪlfəd/ is the County town of Surrey, England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the

Since 2001 the band [Brooker; Fisher; Geoff Whitehorn (also guitarist with Elkie Brooks), guitar; Matt Pegg, bass, Mark Brzezicki, drums] has made several tours of mostly Europe, but also Japan and the US. Elkie Brooks (born Elaine Bookbinder 25 February 1945 in Broughton, Salford) is an English singer formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later A 2001 concert in Copenhagen was released on DVD in 2002. In 2003, the band released the album The Well's on Fire. The Wells on Fire, by Procol Harum, was released in 2003 This was Matthew Fisher 's last studio album with Procol Harum. A December, 2003 London concert with much of the material from that record was released on DVD in 2004: Live at the Union Chapel. Fisher quit Procol Harum in 2004.

The band still tours, with Josh Phillips replacing Fisher on Hammond, leaving Gary Brooker as the only original performing member. Gary Brooker, MBE, (born 29 May 1943) is an English singer Songwriter, Pianist and founder of the Rock band In June 2006 they played at the Isle of Wight festival, the only act also to have played the original festival in 1969. In August 2006 Procol Harum played two outdoor concerts with the Danish Radio orchestra at Ledrebourg Castle in Denmark, which were tele-recorded. Later in 2006 they played in Switzerland, Norway and Denmark, but with Geoff Dunn replacing Mark Brzezicki on drums, reportedly [2] because the latter's other band Casbah Club was touring with The Who. Geoff Dunn (born 1961 in Clapham, London, England) has since 2002 until 2007 been the drummer with the rock band Manfred Mann's Earth Band Mark Brzezicki (born Mark Michael Brzezicki 21 June 1957, Slough, Berkshire, England) is a rock Drummer Casbah Club is a mod rock band formed in 2004, consisting of Guitarist / Vocalist Simon Townshend (brother The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend However, Dunn ended up replacing Brzezicki on drums, for the band's European tours of 2007 (Italy, Germany, Netherlands). Procol Harum played an orchestral concert at the outdoor opera venue Dalhalla (near Rattvik) in Sweden on June 30th. Dalhalla is a former Limestone quarry now turned into an amphitheatre used as a summer music venue

On 20 July and 21 July 2007, fans arranged the celebration of the 40-year anniversary of the success of "A Whiter Shade of Pale", and invited the band to play. Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold Events 356 BC - Herostratus sets fire to the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. This took the form of two concerts at St John's, Smith Square in London. 20 July saw Procol Harum play a mixture of songs from their early days through to the début of a couple of new songs, "Sister Mary" and "Missing Persons". Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold The following night "Gary Brooker and Guests" performed a fixture of obscure songs by Brooker-Reid that had either never been recorded, never been performed live before or were significantly different from the version they recorded.

Authorship lawsuit

Former organist Matthew Fisher sued Gary Brooker and his publisher in the Royal Courts of Justice in 2005, claiming that Fisher co-wrote the music for A Whiter Shade of Pale and was entitled to 50% ownership of the song's copyright. Matthew Fisher (born Matthew Charles Fisher 7 March 1946 in Addiscombe, Croydon, England) is the Gary Brooker, MBE, (born 29 May 1943) is an English singer Songwriter, Pianist and founder of the Rock band See also the Royal Courts of Justice Belfast. The Royal Courts of Justice, commonly called the Law Courts, is the building in ^[4] On 20 December 2006 Fisher won the case but was awarded 40% ownership. Events 69 - Vespasian, formerly a general under Nero, enters Rome to claim the title of Emperor. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[5] Brooker appealed in October 2007 and the judgment was reserved. In April 2008, the British Court of Appeal overturned part of the lower court's ruling, stating that Fisher was entitled to co-authorship, but Brooker was entitled to full royalty rights. ^[6]

Influences in Popular Culture

The band's unusual name has inspired references in modern popular culture. The asteroid 14024 Procol Harum is named after the band. Asteroids, sometimes called Minor planets or planetoids', are bodies—primarily of the inner Solar System —that are smaller than planets but The orchid Procol Harum, a hybridisation of Cymbidium Mighty Sensation with Cymbidium Electric Ladyland, is also named after the band. ^[7]

The second book in Douglas Adams's Hitchhiker Trilogy, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, was inspired by the song "Grand Hotel", from Procol Harum's album Grand Hotel. Douglas Noël Adams (11 March 1952 &ndash 11 May 2001 was an English author comic Radio dramatist The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (1980 ISBN 0-345-39181-0 is the second book in the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Comedy Grand Hotel is an album by Procol Harum, released in 1973 Track listing "Grand Hotel" - 610 "Toujours l'amour" ^[8][9]

Discography

Main article: Procol Harum discography

DVD recordings

• 1999 The Best of Musikladen Live
• 2002 Live
• 2004 Live at the Union Chapel. This is a discography for Procol Harum. Albums Singles Der Musikladen (the music shop was a West German music television programme that ran from December 13, 1972 to November 29, 1984

References

• Johansen, Claes (2000). Beyond the Pale. SAF Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0946719284.  

External links

• ClassicBands.com - 'Procol Harum'
• ProcolHarum.com - 'Beyond the Pale' (Procol Harum's semi-official website)
• Procol Harum at Allmusic - Bruce Eder's history of the band
• TrowerPower.com - Robin Trower's official site
• MatthewFisher.com - Matthew Fisher's Homepage

allmusic (previously All Music Guide) is a Metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide.

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