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Procol Harum

Procol Harum is an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band's name is derived from a Latin phrase "procul harun", which means "beyond these things". The band's original lineup consisted of singer/pianist Gary Brooker, lyricist Keith Reid, guitarist Robin Trower, bassist Dave Knights, and drummer BJ Wilson.

Procol Harum gained international recognition with their hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" in 1967. The song's distinctive Bach-inspired organ riff and surreal lyrics helped it become one of the defining songs of the 1960s. The band's debut album, also titled "Procol Harum", was released later that year and also featured the hit song "Homburg".

Throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, Procol Harum released a series of successful albums and singles. Some of their other well-known songs include "Conquistador", "A Salty Dog", "Grand Hotel", and "Pandora's Box". The band's music is characterized by Brooker's distinctive voice and keyboard work, Reid's poetic lyrics, and the band's innovative use of orchestral arrangements and progressive rock elements.

Procol Harum has gone through various lineup changes over the years, with Brooker being the only constant member. The band continues to tour and record to this day, with their most recent album "Novum" being released in 2017. Despite their many personnel changes and shifts in musical direction, Procol Harum remains a beloved and influential band in the world of progressive rock and beyond.


The Paramounts I (1961 - 1963)
  • Gary Brooker - piano/vocals - b. May 29, 1945, England.
  • Robin Trower - guitar - b. March 9, 1945, London, England.
  • Mick Brownlee -
  • Bob Scott -
  • Chris Copping - bass/organ - b. August 29, 1945, England.


The Paramounts II (August 1963 - October 1966)
  • Gary Brooker - piano/vocals
  • Robin Trower - guitar
  • Diz Derrick -
  • B. J. Wilson - drums - b. Barrie Wilson, March 18, 1947, England; d. October 1990.


Procol Harum I (April 1967 - July 1967)
  • Gary Brooker - piano/vocals
  • Matthew Fisher - organ - b. March 7, 1946, England.
  • David Knights - bass - b. June 28, 1945, England.
  • Ray Royer - guitar - b. October 8, 1945, England.
  • Bobby Harrison - drums - b. June 28, 1943, England.
  • Keith Reid - lyrics - b. ca. 1948.
Recorded one 45 RPM record - "Whiter Shade of Pale" / "Lime Street Blues"


Procol Harum II (July 1967 - September 1969) Albums:
  1. "Procol Harum" (1967) - Single: "A Whiter Shade of Pale"
  2. "Procol Harum...Plus" (1998) - reissue of 1967 album with bonus tracks.
  3. "Shine On Brightly" (1968)
  4. "Shine On Brightly...Plus" (1999)
  5. "A Salty Dog" (1969)
  6. "A Salty Dog...Plus" (1999) - reissue of 1969 album with bonus tracks.
Matthew Fisher goes solo.


Procol Harum III (September 1969 - July 1971) Albums:
  1. "Home" (1970)
  2. "Home...Plus" (1999) - reissue of 1970 album with bonus tracks.
  3. "Broken Barricades" (1971)
Robin Trower goes solo.


Procol Harum IV (July 1971 - September 1972)
  • Gary Brooker - piano/vocals
  • B. J. Wilson - drums
  • Chris Copping - organ
  • Dave Ball - guitar - b. March 30, 1950.
  • Alan Cartwright - bass - b. October 10, 1945.
  • Keith Reid - lyrics
Album:
  1. "Live With Edmonton Symphony" (1972) - Single: "Conquistador"


Procol Harum V (September 1972 - June 1976)
  • Gary Brooker - piano/vocals
  • B. J. Wilson - drums
  • Chris Copping - organ
  • Mick Grabham - guitar
  • Alan Cartwright - bass
  • Keith Reid - lyrics
Albums:
  1. "Grand Hotel" (1973)
  2. "Exotic Birds and Fruit" (1974)
  3. "Procol's Ninth" (1975)
  4. "BBC Live In Concert" (live) (2000)


Procol Harum VI (June 1976 - May 1977)
  • Gary Brooker - piano/vocals
  • B. J. Wilson - drums
  • Chris Copping - bass
  • Mick Grabham - guitar
  • Pete Solley - organ
  • Keith Reid - lyrics
Albums:
  1. "Something Magic" (1977)
Group disbands.  Gary Brooker goes solo, and later joins The Alan Parsons Project.


Procol Harum VII (August 1991) (Reformed)
  • Gary Brooker - piano/vocals
  • Matthew Fisher - organ
  • Robin Trower - guitar
  • Mark Brzezicki - drums - formerly with Big Country.
  • Jerry Stephenson -
  • Dave Bronze - bass
  • Keith Reid - lyrics
Albums:
  1. "Prodigal Stranger" (1991)
Gary Brooker later toured with the Prague Symphony.


Compilations:
  1. "Best of Procol Harum" (1973)
  2. "Greatest Hits" (1986)
  3. "Chrysalis Years 1973-1977" (1989)
  4. "The Long Goodbye" (1994) - remakes of classic songs.
  5. "30th Anniversary Anthology" (3-CD box set) (1998)


Gary Brooker solo:
  1. "No More Fear of Flying" (1979)
  2. "Lead Me to the Water" (1982)
  3. "Within Our House" (1997)


Matthew Fisher solo:
  1. "Journeys End" (1973)
  2. "Matthew Fisher" (1980)
  3. "Matthew Fisher / Strange Days" (2-fer) (1996)


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Date Revised:  August 15, 2000
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