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Procol Harum are a British band that in 1967[1was formed. The band is best known for their number-one hits A Whiter Shade of Pale and Homburg. The band is considered one of the pioneers of the genre progressive rock. The composition of the band has changed frequently over time. The only constant members are singer/pianist Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid.

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[hide]*1 Biography

Biography[Edit][]

The roots of Procol Harum layers in a live band called ' The Paramounts bought ', which by Gary Brooker and Robin Trower was led, popular artists in the early 1960s.They closed a contract with Parlophone in 1963 and brought the single Poison Ivy , which was a moderate success in the United Kingdom. They could not hold this success, however, and the band fell apart in 1966. Brooker went to work as a songwriter and came in contact with lyricist Keith Reid, with whom he wrote a number of songs. In order to carry out these numbers, a new band formed, called ' next to ', with Pinewoods Brooker among others organist Matthew Fisher and bassist Dave Knights. With this band, the song was recorded A Whiter Shade of Pale . Even before this song came out, the band's name was changed to Procol Harum. It was their manager who got the idea for the band at the cat from a friend called.

A Whiter Shade of Pale was a huge success and is one of the few songs on two occasions won the number 1 position in the charts. The song is widely regarded as one of the greatest pop classics. For the melody used some or all of Bach's Overture No. 3 in D, BWV 1068. The composition of the band was changed by two members to replace by former Paramounts bought Robin Trower (guitar) and B.J. Wilson (drums). A first album was recorded, simply known as Procol Harum . A second single,Homburgalso appeared, which, although it had less success than its predecessor, but the 1st place in the hit parade. Later singles often had little success but the LPS found their way to a large and loyal audience, however, especially abroad, in particular in Netherlands. On the following albums, Shine on Brightly and A Salty Dog was the on the first album further followed this path, always with compositional contributions of Brooker, Fisher and Trower. After Matthew Fisher left the band to be replaced byChris Copping, with which all former members of the Paramounts bought were reunited. In this line-up recorded the album Home was, more or less a concept album on the theme of death. After the next album, Broken Barricades (1971), the Group also left Trower. This remained the only composer on Brooker.

Procol Harum remained popular In the 1970s. The band Procol went through with making music. They were one of the first groups that had success with a Symphony Orchestra. For example, in november 1971 a very successful live album ' Live In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra ' where Robin Trower has been replaced by David Ball. In addition, bassist Alan Cartwright joined the group. Salient detail is that all band members are now employed by Brooker and Reid. In 1973 the album Grand Hotel recorded and released. Already during the recording of this album the Group David Ball leaves and is replaced by guitarist Mick Gamboa, submitted by the group ' Cochise '. Also the photo session for the hit cover of Grand Hotel is already behind the back as Mick Gamble joined the Group adds. Not having to do the photo shoot, the pictures already made the head of Mick Gamble on the lower body by David Ball mounted. Grand Hotel may be considered the most symphonic album that the Group has so far released the lp was accompanied by a separate booklet with lyrics, which was provided with drawings by artist Spencer Zahn. According to some, it is a concept album Grand Hotel , but as far as is known there by Brooker and Reid never certainty about provided. On "Fires (Which Burnt Brightly)" of the said album is gastvocaliste Christianne Legrand of the a capella group The Swingle Singers to hear. The majestic Grand Hotel 's title track is a modest hit and is still in the Dutch Top 2000 annually.

In 1974 a album included in the same occupation and Exotic Birds & Fruit appears in that same year. Just like on Grand Hotel here is also chosen for a collaboration with producer Chris Thomas. On the cover there is a painting of the artists/English painter Jacob Bogdani Hong whose image perfectly matches the title of the album. Exotic Birds & Fruit departs from Grand Hotel that the album no longer as symphonic sounds but more like ' rock'-album, which, as it turned out, likewise has been. Of this album are no hits come and in general it's what weaker than its predecessor though there are some classics, such as ' Nothing but the Truth ' and ' Beyond the Pale '.

In september 1975 the trough Procol's Ninthappears; the last album that is included in the current occupation. The album doesn't do as very much, though there is one hit on: ' Pandora's Box '. For the first time during the existence of the group, is also a cover on the album, en. ' Eight Days a Week ' by The Beatles. Also ' I Keep Forgetting ' that is not written by Brooker/Reid but by the producers of the album Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The cover of Procol's Ninth consists of a group photo of the band with a signature of each band member.

In 1977, the last album by Procol Harum, Something Magic called. With Something Magic saves the band a bit of symphonic rock but the path in the genre seems all but dead. The emergence of the punk is here partly to blame. Bassist Alan Cartwright, the group now deserted after which Chris Copping takes over his role as bassist. As new keyboardist Pete Solley attracted what is the trusted Hammond-sound of the group have traded for synthesizers. The second lp-side of the album contains an allegorical picture story: ' The Worm and the Tree ' that is sung not by Brooker for a change but the group, which is spoken by most fans not hear and there also means that this album again sells less well than its predecessor. Some strong songs on the first lp-side can make up for this, unfortunately. The song ' Wizard Man ' is released as a single but does not very much. After Something Magic was released, Chris Copping to the band gives to want to leave. Not long after the band falls apart (1977), although the Group five months later reunited for a one-time action. Brooker then begins a solo career and harvest success with his first album No More Fear of Flying in which the text of the title track is written by Keith Reid and mainly in Netherlands is a hit.

In 1991 Procol Harum was re-established. The band now consists of Brooker, Trower, Fisher and drummer Mark Brzezicki. Former drummer B.J. Wilson is the year before died. After the recording of the album The Prodigal Stranger also this occupation falls apart. Appears only in 2003 the most recent album The well's on Fire, on which also heard Fisher is. However, after this album get Fisher back on. In november 2006 he moved to court to his part in the rights to A Whiter Shade of Pale to requirements. Then he gets 40% of the credits granted, because the judge agreed with him is that his organ playing an integral part of the song is.In april 2008 this decision reversed on appeal and will Brooker again the full rights. One of the reasons was that Fisher only after 30 years to these royalties asked. In 2010 makes Fisher on his website that he has entered into an agreement with Onward Music Ltd, in which all legal and financial matters relating to the lawsuit have been resolved in a satisfactory manner.

Discography[Edit][]

LPs and CDs[Edit][]

Dvd recordings[Edit][]

Radio 2 Top 2000[Edit][]

Number (s) with markings

in the Radio 2 Top 2000

' 99 ' 00 ' 01 ' 02 ' 03 ' 04 ' 05 ' 06 ' 07 ' 08 ' 09 ' 10 ' 11 ' 12 ' 13
A salty dog 755 838 1271 591 985 899 907 870 1113 914 1072 1260 1276 1077 1443
A whiter shade of pale 10 18 23 20 22 28 22 25 47 26 50 42 65 61 83
Conquistador 1072 1132 986 1147 972 1328 1220 1421 1821 1366 1499 1587 1707 1994 -
Grand hotel - 782 - 836 899 1200 818 888 1166 973 1319 1346 1301 1467 1640
Homburg 871 671 990 504 796 967 798 894 1138 881 1270 1290 1324 1531 1517
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