List of Procol Harum members

Procol Harum were an English progressive rock band from Southend-on-Sea. Formed in April 1967, the group originally consisted of vocalist and pianist Gary Brooker, guitarist Ray Royer, bassist David Knights, keyboardist Matthew Fisher, drummer Bobby Harrison and lyricist Keith Reid. The band went through a number of lineup changes over the next ten years, before disbanding in 1977. They reformed in 1991 and remained active until Brooker’s death in early 2022. The final lineup of Procol Harum consisted of Brooker, guitarist Geoff Whitehorn (from 1991), bassist Matt Pegg (from 1993), keyboardist Josh Phillips (in 1993, and from 2004) and drummer Geoff Dunn (from 2006).

Two lineups of Procol Harum onstage in 1970, 2001 and 2018.

History

edit
 
B. J. Wilson was Procol Harum's drummer from 1967 until their first disbandment in 1977.

1967–1977

edit

Procol Harum were formed in April 1967 by former Paramounts pianist and vocalist Gary Brooker and his songwriting partner Keith Reid, who enlisted Ray Royer, David Knights, Matthew Fisher and Bobby Harrison for the group's initial incarnation.[1] For the recording of the band's debut single "A Whiter Shade of Pale", producer Denny Cordell brought in session drummer Bill Eyden in place of Harrison.[2] Shortly after the single was released, Royer and Harrison left Procol Harum to form Freedom, with Brooker's former Paramounts bandmates Robin Trower and Barrie "B. J." Wilson taking their respective positions.[3] The new lineup released Procol Harum, Shine On Brightly and A Salty Dog, before Fisher and Knights left in late 1969.[4] They were replaced by another former Paramounts member, Chris Copping.[5]

As a four-piece, Procol Harum released Home and Broken Barricades, before Trower left in July 1971 to pursue a solo career.[1] He was replaced by Dave Ball, while Alan Cartwright (a former bandmate of Wilson's in Freddie Mack's band) took over bass from Copping, who remained on organ.[6] This lineup's only release was Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, as Ball left in September 1972 during sessions for their next studio album and was replaced by Mick Grabham.[7] Grand Hotel, Exotic Birds and Fruit and Procol's Ninth followed over the next three years, before Cartwright left in June 1976; Copping subsequently reverted to bass, as Peter Solley joined as the band's new organ player.[8] The new lineup debuted on Something Magic, the band's last studio album for 14 years.[9]

In April 1977, during the promotional tour for Something Magic, Copping joined Frankie Miller's band and was replaced in Procol Harum by Elton John's former bassist Dee Murray.[10] The tour ended in May, and the following month Grabham announced that he had left the band, claiming that he had been "generally dissatisfied with my role ... for some months".[11] The band played one final show in October when "A Whiter Shade of Pale" co-won the Single of the Year award at the 1977 Brit Awards, with Brooker, Wilson and returning members Cartwright and Copping joined by guitarist Tim Renwick.[10]

1991–2006

edit
 
Geoff Whitehorn was the band's guitarist from December 1991.

In 1991, Brooker reformed Procol Harum with guitarist Robin Trower and organist Matthew Fisher, plus new members Dave Bronze on bass and Mark Brzezicki on drums.[12] It was originally planned that B. J. Wilson would return on drums, however he died in 1990 after three years in a persistent vegetative state following a drug overdose.[13] Trower left again after recording The Prodigal Stranger, with Tim Renwick returning for the subsequent tour.[12] Renwick was replaced later in the year by Geoff Whitehorn.[14] After a tour which spawned One More Time: Live in Utrecht 1992, Fisher briefly stepped away from the band to focus on studying for a degree, with Don Snow temporarily taking over for a summer tour.[15] Laurence Cottle substituted for Bronze, who was performing with the Hamsters, at a show in August.[16]

After nearly a year of inactivity, Procol Harum performed a handful of shows in May and June 1993, with former Diamond Head keyboardist Josh Phillips filling in for Fisher and former King Crimson drummer Ian Wallace in place of Brzezicki, who had rejoined Big Country.[17] Fisher returned for shows starting in July,[17] and Matt Pegg replaced Bronze the following month.[18] Touring continued sporadically throughout the rest of the decade – Graham Broad performed drums for a run of shows in July and August 1995,[19] and Henry Spinetti took over for shows in 1996.[20] In 1997, the band played a one-off show in celebration of the 30th anniversary of "A Whiter Shade of Pale", with the regular lineup joined on several songs by former members Mick Grabham, Peter Solley, Alan Cartwright, Dave Bronze and Chris Copping.[21]

Three years passed before Procol Harum performed again, in September 2000 with returning drummer Mark Brzezicki.[22] They returned on a full-time basis the following year, touring regularly and releasing their first studio album in more than ten years, The Well's on Fire, in 2003.[23] Long-time organist Matthew Fisher left the band in June 2004 due to "unresolved matters", with former stand-in Josh Phillips taking his place again.[24] These matters were later revealed to have been a lawsuit filed by Fisher against Brooker and the band for songwriting credits and a share of royalties on "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which he won in December 2006.[25]

2006–2022

edit

In the autumn of 2006, Geoff Dunn replaced Mark Brzezicki on drums.[26] The band's lineup has since remained constant since Dunn's arrival.[27] However, the group's 2017 studio album Novum was their first not to feature lyrics by Keith Reid (most were written by Pete Brown).[28]

Brooker died on 19 February 2022[29][30] with all following concerts being cancelled before and after his death, implying the band had disbanded.[31]

Members

edit
Image Name Years active Instruments Release contributions
Gary Brooker
  • 1967–1977
  • 1991–2022 (until his death)
  • vocals
  • piano
all Procol Harum releases
Keith Reid
  • 1967–1977
  • 1991–2017 (died 2023)
lyrics all Procol Harum releases from "A Whiter Shade of Pale" (1967) to MMX (2012)
Matthew Fisher
  • 1967–1969
  • 1991–2004 (part time from 1992 to 1996)
  • organ
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • rhythm guitar (1967–69)
David Knights 1967–1969 bass all Procol Harum releases from "A Whiter Shade of Pale" (1967) to A Salty Dog (1969)
Ray Royer 1967
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
"A Whiter Shade of Pale" (1967)
Bobby Harrison 1967 (died 2022)
  • drums
  • backing vocals
"Lime Street Blues" (B-side of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" 1967)
Barrie "B. J." Wilson 1967–1977 (died 1990)
  • drums
  • percussion
  • all Procol Harum releases from Procol Harum (1967) to Something Magic (1977)
  • Live at the BBC (1999)
  • Still There'll Be More: An Anthology 1967–2017 (2018) – all previously unreleased live recordings
Robin Trower
  • 1967–1971
  • 1991
  • guitar
  • backing and occasional lead vocals
  • all Procol Harum releases from Procol Harum (1967) to Broken Barricades (1971)
  • The Prodigal Stranger (1991)
  • Still There'll Be More: An Anthology 1967–2017 (2018) – previously unreleased live recordings
Chris Copping
  • 1969–1977
  • 1977
  • organ (1969–76, 1977)
  • bass (1969–71 and 1976–77)
  • rhythm guitar (1969–71)
  • all Procol Harum releases from Home (1970) to Something Magic (1977)
  • Live at the BBC (1999)
  • Still There'll Be More: An Anthology 1967–2017 (2018) – previously unreleased live recordings
Alan Cartwright
  • 1971–1976
  • 1977 (died 2021)
  • bass
  • double bass
Dave Ball 1971–1972 (died 2015) guitar Live: In Concert with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (1972)
Mick Grabham 1972–1977
  • all Procol Harum releases from Grand Hotel (1973) to Something Magic (1977)
  • Live at the BBC (1999)
  • Still There'll Be More: An Anthology 1967–2017 (2018) – previously unreleased live recordings
Peter Solley 1976–1977 (died 2023)
  • organ
  • synthesisers
Something Magic (1977)
Tim Renwick
  • 1977
  • 1991
guitar none – live performances only
Dee Murray 1977 (died 1992) bass
Dave Bronze 1991–1993
  • The Prodigal Stranger (1991)
  • One More Time: Live in Utrecht 1992 (1999)
Mark Brzezicki
  • 1991–1992
  • 2000–2006
  • drums
  • percussion
Geoff Whitehorn 1991–2022
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
all Procol Harum releases from One More Time: Live in Utrecht 1992 (1999) to Novum (2017)
Josh Phillips
  • 1993 (touring)
  • 2004–2022
  • organ
  • synthesisers
all Procol Harum releases from One Eye to the Future: Live in Italy 2007 (2008) to Novum (2017)
Matt Pegg 1993–2022
  • bass
  • backing vocals
all Procol Harum releases from Live (2002) onwards
Ian Wallace 1993 (died 2007) drums none – live performances only
Graham Broad
  • 1995
  • 1997
Henry Spinetti 1996
Geoff Dunn 2006–2022
  • One Eye to the Future: Live in Italy 2007 (2008)
  • all Procol Harum releases from The Spirit of Nøkken (2010) to Novum (2017)

Additional musicians

edit
Image Name Years active Instruments Details
Don Snow 1992 (touring) organ Snow temporarily substituted for Matthew Fisher, who was studying, for tour dates in May and June 1992.[15]
Laurence Cottle bass Cottle filled in for Dave Bronze for shows in August 1992, as Bronze had prior commitments with the Hamsters.[16]
Dave Colquhoun
  • 2014 (one live show)
  • 2015 (two live shows)
  • guitar
  • backing vocals
Colquhoun stood in at short notice for the hospitalised Geoff Whitehorn for the live show and BBC recording at the Dominion Theatre, London, 24 November 2014.[32] He also played in two shows in Finland in December 2015.[33]
Pete Brown 2016 (session) (died 2023)[34] lyrics Brown, best known for his work with Cream,[35] contributed lyrics to the bands last album Novum (2017) in 2016.[36]

Timeline

edit

Lineups

edit
Period Members Releases
April – July 1967
July 1967 – September 1969
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Robin Trower – guitar, backing vocals
  • David Knights – bass
  • Matthew Fisher – organ, guitar, backing vocals
  • B. J. Wilson – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
September 1969 – July 1971
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Robin Trower – guitar, backing vocals
  • Chris Copping – bass, organ, live guitar
  • B. J. Wilson – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
July 1971 – September 1972
  • Gary Brooker – vocals, piano
  • Dave Ball – guitar
  • Alan Cartwright – bass
  • Chris Copping – organ
  • B. J. Wilson – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
September 1972 – June 1976
  • Gary Brooker – vocals, piano
  • Mick Grabham – guitar
  • Alan Cartwright – bass
  • Chris Copping – organ
  • B. J. Wilson – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
June 1976 – April 1977
  • Gary Brooker – vocals, piano
  • Mick Grabham – guitar
  • Chris Copping – bass
  • Peter Solley – organ, synthesisers
  • B. J. Wilson – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
April – May 1977
  • Gary Brooker – vocals, piano
  • Mick Grabham – guitar
  • Dee Murray – bass
  • Peter Solley – organ, synthesisers
  • B. J. Wilson – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
none – live performances only
October 1977
  • Gary Brooker – vocals, piano
  • Tim Renwick – guitar
  • Alan Cartwright – bass
  • Chris Copping – organ
  • B. J. Wilson – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
Band inactive October 1977 – early 1991
Early – mid-1991
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Robin Trower – guitar
  • Dave Bronze – bass
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Mark Brzezicki – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
August – October 1991
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Tim Renwick – guitar
  • Dave Bronze – bass
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Mark Brzezicki – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
none – live performances only
December 1991 – April 1992
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Bronze – bass
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Mark Brzezicki – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
  • One More Time: Live in Utrecht 1992 (1999)
May – June 1992
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Bronze – bass
  • Don Snow – organ (substitute)
  • Mark Brzezicki – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
none – live performances only
August 1992
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Laurence Cottle – bass (substitute)
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Mark Brzezicki – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
Band inactive August 1992 – May 1993
May – June 1993
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Bronze – bass
  • Josh Phillips – organ (substitute)
  • Ian Wallace – drums
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
none – live performances only
July – August 1993
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Dave Bronze – bass
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Ian Wallace – drums
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
August – September 1993
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Pegg – bass, backing vocals
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Ian Wallace – drums
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
Band inactive September 1993 – July 1995
July – August 1995
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Pegg – bass, backing vocals
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Graham Broad – drums
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
none – live performances only
Band inactive August 1995 – February 1996
February – April 1996
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Pegg – bass, backing vocals
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Henry Spinetti – drums
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
none – live performances only
Band inactive April 1996 – July 1997
July 1997
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Pegg – bass, backing vocals
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Graham Broad – drums
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
none – one live performance only
(also featured various former members)
Band inactive July 1997 – September 2000
September 2000
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Pegg – bass, backing vocals
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Mark Brzezicki – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
none – one live performance only
(also featured guest performer Mick Grabham)
Band inactive September 2000 – May 2001
May 2001 – June 2004
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Pegg – bass, backing vocals
  • Matthew Fisher – organ
  • Mark Brzezicki – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
June 2004 – September 2006
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Pegg – bass, backing vocals
  • Josh Phillips – organ, synthesisers
  • Mark Brzezicki – drums, percussion
  • Keith Reid – lyrics
September 2006 – February 2022
  • Gary Brooker – lead vocals, piano
  • Geoff Whitehorn – guitar, backing vocals
  • Matt Pegg – bass, backing vocals
  • Josh Phillips – organ, synthesisers
  • Geoff Dunn – drums
  • Pete Brown – lyrics (session 2017)
  • One Eye to the Future: Live in Italy 2007 (2008)
  • The Spirit of Nøkken (2010)
  • MMX (2012)
  • ...Some Long Road... (2014)
  • Novum (2017)

Bibliography

edit
  • Helander, Brock (2001), The Rockin' 60s: The People Who Made the Music, New York City, New York: Schirmer Trade Books, ISBN 978-0857128119
  • Johansen, Claes (2000), Procol Harum: Beyond the Pale, London, England: SAF Publishing, ISBN 978-0946719280
  • Scott-Irvine, Henry (20 November 2012), Procol Harum: The Ghosts of a Whiter Shade of Pale, London, England: Omnibus Press, ISBN 978-0857128027

References

edit
  1. ^ a b Helander 2001, pp. 546–547
  2. ^ "Bill Eyden". The Times. 26 October 2004. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  3. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Freedom: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  4. ^ LaFong, Carl (27 December 1969). "Notes from the Underground: Pop Groups in the '60s" (PDF). Record World. Vol. 24, no. 1176. New York City, New York: Record World Publishing. p. 34. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  5. ^ Johansen 2000, p. 128
  6. ^ Freedland, Nat (7 August 1971). "From the Music Capitals of the World: Los Angeles" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 83, no. 32. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications. p. 23. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  7. ^ Perrone, Pierre (28 May 2015). "Dave Ball: Lead guitarist who joined prog-rockers Procol Harum in time to feature on their seminal 1972 live album". The Independent. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  8. ^ Fuchs, Stephen (3 July 1976). "Talent on Stage: Points West" (PDF). Cash Box. Vol. 37, no. 7. New York City, New York: Cash Box Publishing. p. 47. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  9. ^ Ruhlmann, William. "Something Magic - Procol Harum: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  10. ^ a b Scott-Irvine 2012, pp. 237–241
  11. ^ "Grabham: 'I've quit Procols'". NME. London, England: IPC Magazines. 11 June 1977. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  12. ^ a b Caro, Mark (4 October 1991). "Procol Harum Not Quite the Equal of Its Old Material". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  13. ^ Seigal, Buddy (18 September 1993). "Shadings of Procol Harum". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  14. ^ Scott-Irvine 2012, p. 264
  15. ^ a b Scott-Irvine 2012, p. 270
  16. ^ a b "Laurence Cottle". Procol Harum: Beyond the Pale. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  17. ^ a b Scott-Irvine 2012, p. 271
  18. ^ Scott-Irvine 2012, p. 272
  19. ^ Scott-Irvine 2012, p. 279
  20. ^ Scott-Irvine 2012, p. 283
  21. ^ "This Old Cat: Procol Harum at Harlequin Theatre, Redhill, 19 July 1997". Procol Harum: Beyond the Pale. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  22. ^ Scott-Irvine 2012, p. 289
  23. ^ Esch, Jim. "The Well's on Fire - Procol Harum: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  24. ^ "Procol Harum: line-up change 2004". Procol Harum: Beyond the Pale. 17 June 2004. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  25. ^ "Organist wins Procol Harum battle". BBC News. 20 December 2006. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  26. ^ "What was new at 'Beyond the Pale', November 2006". Procol Harum: Beyond the Pale. 2 November 2006. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  27. ^ Eder, Bruce. "Procol Harum: Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  28. ^ Jurek, Thom. "Novum - Procol Harum: Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
  29. ^ Greene, Andy (22 February 2022). "Procol Harum Frontman Gary Brooker Dead at 76 – Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  30. ^ Pareles, Jon (23 February 2022). "Gary Brooker, Singer for Procol Harum, Dies at 76". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Procol Harum 2022 : tour dates". procolharum.com. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
  32. ^ "Dave Colquhoun". Beyond the Pale. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  33. ^ "Concerts 2015". Beyond the Pale. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  34. ^ Kreps, Daniel (21 May 2023). "Pete Brown, Co-Writer of Cream Classics, Dead at 82". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  35. ^ Colin Larkin, Virgin Encyclopedia of Sixties Music, (Muze UK Ltd, 1997), ISBN 0-7535-0149-X, p. 80
  36. ^ Novum (liner notes). Procol Harum. Eagle Records. 2017. EAGCD659.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)