Members Of Procol Harum: Past And Present

Who are the members of Procol Harum?

Procol Harum is an English rock band formed in 1967. The band is best known for their hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which was released in 1967 and topped the charts in several countries. The original members of Procol Harum were Gary Brooker (vocals, piano), Robin Trower (guitar), Matthew Fisher (organ), Dave Knights (bass guitar), and B.J. Wilson (drums).

The band has undergone several lineup changes over the years, but Brooker has remained the constant member. The current lineup of Procol Harum includes Brooker, Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), Matt Pegg (bass guitar), Josh Phillips (keyboards), and Gary Wallis (drums).

Procol Harum has been praised for their unique sound, which combines elements of rock, classical music, and blues. The band has been cited as an influence by many other artists, including Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd.

Here is a table with the personal details and bio data of the original members of Procol Harum:

Members of Procol Harum

The members of Procol Harum are Gary Brooker, Robin Trower, Matthew Fisher, Dave Knights, and B.J. Wilson. They are a British rock band formed in 1967, best known for their hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale".

• Gary Brooker - lead singer and pianist
• Robin Trower - guitarist
• Matthew Fisher - organist
• Dave Knights - bass guitarist
• B.J. Wilson - drummer

Procol Harum's music is a unique blend of rock, classical, and blues. They have been praised for their innovative sound and have been cited as an influence by many other artists, including Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd.

1. Gary Brooker - lead singer and pianist

Gary Brooker is the lead singer and pianist of Procol Harum, a British rock band formed in 1967. He is the only constant member of the band, which has undergone several lineup changes over the years. Brooker is known for his distinctive voice and piano playing, which are essential to Procol Harum's unique sound.

Brooker was born in Hackney, London, England, on May 29, 1945. He began playing the piano at a young age and was influenced by a variety of musical genres, including rock, classical, and blues. In 1966, he met guitarist Robin Trower and the two formed a band called The Paramounts. The band later changed their name to Procol Harum and released their debut album, "Procol Harum", in 1967. The album was a commercial success and featured the hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which reached number one on the UK singles chart.

Procol Harum has continued to release albums and tour throughout the years, although their lineup has changed several times. Brooker has remained the band's lead singer and pianist and is considered to be the driving force behind their music. He is a respected musician and songwriter and has been praised for his unique style and contributions to rock music.

In addition to his work with Procol Harum, Brooker has also released several solo albums and has collaborated with a variety of other artists, including Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has received numerous awards for his music.

2. Robin Trower - guitarist

Robin Trower is a guitarist best known for his work with the band Procol Harum. He is considered one of the most influential guitarists of his generation and has been praised for his unique style and innovative use of effects pedals.

• Trower's early life and career
  

  Trower was born in Catford, London, England, on March 9, 1945. He began playing guitar at a young age and was influenced by a variety of musical genres, including rock, blues, and jazz. In the early 1960s, he played in a number of local bands before joining Procol Harum in 1967.

• Trower's work with Procol Harum
  

  Trower played a key role in the development of Procol Harum's unique sound. His guitar playing is featured prominently on the band's debut album, "Procol Harum", which was released in 1967. The album was a commercial success and featured the hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which reached number one on the UK singles chart.

• Trower's solo career
  

  Trower left Procol Harum in 1971 to pursue a solo career. He has released a number of successful solo albums, including "Twice Removed from Yesterday" (1973), "Bridge of Sighs" (1974), and "In City Dreams" (1977). Trower's solo work is characterized by his distinctive guitar playing and his exploration of different musical genres, including rock, blues, and jazz.

• Trower's influence
  

  Trower is considered one of the most influential guitarists of his generation. His unique style and innovative use of effects pedals have influenced a number of other guitarists, including Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Jimmy Page.

Trower's contributions to Procol Harum and his successful solo career have made him one of the most respected and admired guitarists in rock music history.

3. Matthew Fisher - organist

Matthew Fisher is the organist for the band Procol Harum, a British rock band formed in 1967. He is known for his distinctive organ playing, which is featured prominently on the band's hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale".

• Fisher's early life and career
  

  Fisher was born in Redruth, Cornwall, England, on March 10, 1946. He began playing the organ at a young age and was influenced by a variety of musical genres, including rock, classical, and jazz. In the early 1960s, he played in a number of local bands before joining Procol Harum in 1967.

• Fisher's work with Procol Harum
  

  Fisher played a key role in the development of Procol Harum's unique sound. His organ playing is featured prominently on the band's debut album, "Procol Harum", which was released in 1967. The album was a commercial success and featured the hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which reached number one on the UK singles chart.

• Fisher's solo career
  

  Fisher left Procol Harum in 1969 to pursue a solo career. He has released a number of successful solo albums, including "Matthew Fisher" (1970), "Journey's End" (1973), and "Strange Days" (1976). Fisher's solo work is characterized by his distinctive organ playing and his exploration of different musical genres, including rock, classical, and jazz.

• Fisher's influence
  

  Fisher is considered one of the most influential organists in rock music history. His unique style and innovative use of the organ have influenced a number of other organists, including Jon Lord of Deep Purple and Rick Wakeman of Yes.

Fisher's contributions to Procol Harum and his successful solo career have made him one of the most respected and admired organists in rock music history.

4. Dave Knights - bass guitarist

Dave Knights is the bass guitarist for the band Procol Harum, a British rock band formed in 1967. He is known for his distinctive bass playing, which is featured prominently on the band's hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale".

Knights was born in Edmonton, London, England, on October 24, 1945. He began playing the bass guitar at a young age and was influenced by a variety of musical genres, including rock, blues, and jazz. In the early 1960s, he played in a number of local bands before joining Procol Harum in 1967.

Knights' bass playing is an essential part of Procol Harum's sound. His distinctive style is characterized by his use of melodic and countermelodic lines, which add depth and complexity to the band's music. Knights is also known for his solid timing and his ability to lock in with the band's drummer, B.J. Wilson.

Knights has been a member of Procol Harum for over 50 years and has played on all of the band's albums. He is a respected and admired bass guitarist and is considered to be one of the most important members of Procol Harum.

5. B.J. Wilson - drummer

B.J. Wilson was the drummer for the band Procol Harum, a British rock band formed in 1967. He is best known for his work on the band's hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which reached number one on the UK singles chart in 1967.

Wilson was born in Edmonton, London, England, on July 31, 1947. He began playing the drums at a young age and was influenced by a variety of musical genres, including rock, blues, and jazz. In the early 1960s, he played in a number of local bands before joining Procol Harum in 1967.

Wilson's drumming is an essential part of Procol Harum's sound. His distinctive style is characterized by his use of complex rhythms and his ability to create a solid foundation for the band's music. Wilson is also known for his energetic live performances.

Wilson was a member of Procol Harum for over 50 years and played on all of the band's albums. He is a respected and admired drummer and is considered to be one of the most important members of Procol Harum.

Wilson died on October 10, 2018, at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife and two children.

FAQs about Procol Harum

Procol Harum is a British rock band formed in 1967. The band is best known for their hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which was released in 1967 and topped the charts in several countries. Here are some frequently asked questions about Procol Harum:

Question 1: Who are the members of Procol Harum?

The original members of Procol Harum were Gary Brooker (vocals, piano), Robin Trower (guitar), Matthew Fisher (organ), Dave Knights (bass guitar), and B.J. Wilson (drums). The current lineup of the band includes Brooker, Geoff Whitehorn (guitar), Matt Pegg (bass guitar), Josh Phillips (keyboards), and Gary Wallis (drums).

Question 2: What is Procol Harum's most famous song?

Procol Harum's most famous song is "A Whiter Shade of Pale". The song was released in 1967 and topped the charts in several countries. It is known for its distinctive organ riff and haunting lyrics.

Question 3: What genre of music does Procol Harum play?

Procol Harum's music is a unique blend of rock, classical, and blues. The band's sound is characterized by Brooker's distinctive vocals, Trower's soaring guitar solos, and Fisher's inventive use of the organ.

Question 4: How many albums has Procol Harum released?

Procol Harum has released 12 studio albums, 7 live albums, and numerous compilation albums. The band's most recent album, "Novum", was released in 2017.

Question 5: Is Procol Harum still active?

Yes, Procol Harum is still active. The band continues to tour and record new music. The band's most recent tour was in 2019, and they are currently working on a new album.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about Procol Harum. For more information, please visit the band's official website.

Summary: Procol Harum is a British rock band formed in 1967. The band is best known for their hit song "A Whiter Shade of Pale". Procol Harum's music is a unique blend of rock, classical, and blues. The band has released 12 studio albums and is still active today.

Transition to the next article section: Procol Harum is one of the most successful and influential rock bands of all time. The band's unique sound and timeless songs have inspired generations of musicians. In the next section, we will take a closer look at Procol Harum's music and legacy.

Conclusion

The members of Procol Harum have made significant contributions to the music industry. Their unique blend of rock, classical, and blues has influenced many other artists. Procol Harum's music is timeless and continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world.

The band's legacy is secure. Procol Harum is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and their music has been used in numerous films and television shows. The band's songs continue to be played on radio stations around the world.