Procol Harum

Procol Harum is a progressive rock band that was formed in 1967. Originally, most of the band members (with the exception of Matthew Fisher) were members of The Paramounts. Their biggest hit was "A Whiter Shade of Pale" which combined rock music with a classical composition from Bach.

After the single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", Ray Royer and Bill Eyden left the group and were replaced by Robin Trower and B.J. Wilson respectfully. By that time, they released their debut album and in 1968, they released Shine on Brightly which contained a five-part song "In Held 'Twas In I" which is considered a staple to progressive rock. After the release of A Salty Dog in 1969, keyboardist Matthew Fisher and bassist David Knights left the band and bassist Chris Copping would play both organ and bass on Home and Broken Barricades.

By the end of 1971, Robin Trower left Procol Harum to pursue a solo career. That same year, Procol Harum was invited to play with The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and even released a live album featuring The Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. By 1973, Procol Harum would recruit Mick Grabham and Alan Cartwright to play the guitar and bass respectfully. This would be the band's line-up until Something Magic in 1977 when Alan Cartwright was replaced by Pete Solley.

After the debacle of Something Magic, Procol Harum broke-up. In 1990, B.J. Wilson died from complications of pneumonia and drug overdose. But in 1991, Procol Harum reformed with Gary Brooker, Robin Trower, and Matthew Fisher to make The Prodigal Stranger. Procol Harum would release The Well's on Fire and Novum which only featured Gary Brooker.

Gary Brooker, the leader of Procol Harum, died on February 19th at the age of 76.

Discography

 * Studio albums
 * Procol Harum (1967)
 * Shine on Brightly (1968)
 * A Salty Dog (1969)
 * Home (1970)
 * Broken Barricades (1971)
 * Grand Hotel (1973)
 * Exotic Birds and Fruit (1974)
 * Procol's Ninth (1975)
 * Something Magic (1977)
 * The Prodigal Stranger (1991)
 * The Well's on Fire (2003)
 * Novum (2017)