Procol Harum (band) Autographs

Profession:
( - ) English rock band

Year of Birth: 1967

Procol Harum is an English progressive rock band formed in 1967. The band's music is characterised by its strong blues-rock influence, its use of classical and baroque elements, and its dark, often melancholic lyrics. Their most successful single, "A Whiter Shade of Pale", has been described as one of the most iconic songs of the 1960s.

The original Procol Harum lineup consisted of singer and pianist Gary Brooker, organist Matthew Fisher, guitarist Ray Royer, bassist David Knights and drummer Bobby Harrison. Brooker, Knights and Harrison had played together in a band called the Paramounts, which recorded several singles for Parlophone. Fisher had been a session musician for many of their recordings. After the Paramounts disbanded in 1966, Brooker, Knights and Harrison decided to form a new group, and they recruited Royer and Fisher to join them.

The band's name was inspired by a friend of Brooker's, who suggested the name "Procul Harun". Brooker changed the spelling to "Procol Harum" and it stuck. The band released their debut single, "A Whiter Shade of Pale", in 1967. The single was an instant hit, reaching number one in the UK and number five in the US. It has since become one of the most covered songs in history, with over 500 versions recorded.

The band released their debut album, Procol Harum, in 1967, and followed it with the live album In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra in 1968. The band continued to release albums throughout the 1970s, including A Salty Dog (1969), Home (1970), Broken Barricades (1971), and Grand Hotel (1973). They also released several successful singles, such as "Conquistador" (1972) and "Pandora's Box" (1975).

In 1977, the band released their last studio album, Something Magic. The album was not as successful as their previous releases and the band disbanded in 1979. In 1991, the band reunited and released a new album, The Prodigal Stranger, which was well received by critics. The band has continued to tour regularly, and has released several live albums and compilations.

Procol Harum's influence has been significant. Their music has been widely covered by other artists, and they have been cited as an influence by numerous other musicians. Their unique sound has been described as timeless and their influence can be heard in the work of many modern artists.