History Music / ProcolHarum

* Keith Reid--lyrics (while he doesn't sing or play any instruments, he is still credited as a band member) (1967–77, 1991–)

* Ray Royer--guitar (1967, appeared on "A Whiter Shade of Pale", but left before recording the debut album)
* Bobby Harrison--drums (1967, left with Royer to form a band called Freedom, does not appear on any recordings)

* B.J. Wilson--drums, percussion (1967–77, his 1990 death was the impetus for the 1991 reunion)

* Dave Ball--lead guitar (1971–72, only appears on ''Edmonton'' live album)

-->'''Gary Brooker:''' It's definitively about Terry and Chris swanning it up, doing very well and running a multimillion pound record label. Procol Harum is the "sinking ship" here, and the label owners, who were also our managers, are the ones that "get the cake". We weren't exactly ripped off, not like in the past, but Reid had spotted an imbalance! They were very upset about the song, and wanted us to change the words and title to "Government Boys". We said "Bollocks".

--> '''Pilgrim:''' I wish to know the meaning of life, father.\\

* BitingTheHandHumor: "Butterfly Boys" from ''Exotic Birds and Fruit''. While Gary Brooker [[https://procolharum.com/99/bbc_strange_liner99.htm once said]] that while "This song could apply to any situation where someone's doing well and the others are getting the shit", it was specifically about Terry Ellis and Chris Wright, who not only managed Procol but ran their label, Creator/ChrysalisRecords, whose logo prominently featured a butterfly.

-->'''Gary Brooker:''' It's definitively about Terry and Chris swanning it up, doing very well and running a multimillion pound record label. Procol Harum is the "sinking ship" here, and the label owners, who were also our managers, are the ones that "get the cake". We weren't exactly ripped off, not like in the past, but Reid had spotted an imbalance! They were very upset about the song, and wanted us to change the words and title to Government Boys. We said "Bollocks".

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Gary Brooker blowing his stack at a German stagehand who was chatting with a member of the band and delaying the start of the song, variously reported as "Hey, we don't do friends, we do functions" or "Hey, we don't do friends, get off, ''fucker''". Bear in mind that Brooker was considered one of the nicest guys in music.....
* BreakupBreakout: Robin Trower, who left after ''Broken Barricades'', went on to great success in the '70s with his new eponymous band.

* ''[[{{CoverAlbum}} Ain't Nothin' To Get Excited About]]'' (recorded 1970, released 1997)--credited to "Liquorice John Death", a collection of covers (with one original track) that the band used to play when they were known as The Paramounts

* Gary Brooker--piano, vocals (1967–77, 1991–)

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Gary Brooker blowing his stack at a German stagehand who was chatting with a member of the band and delaying the start of the song, variously reported as "Hey, we don't do friends, we do functions" or "Hey, we don't do friends, get off, ''fucker''". Bear in mind that Brooker is considered one of the nicest guys in music.....

* IAmTheBand: With Keith Reid not participating in ''Novum''[[note]]his replacement is Pete Brown, best known for his work with Music/{{Cream}}[[/note]], Gary Brooker is the only constant member of the band.

* DownerEnding: DownerBeginning, middle, and ending, really...''Broken Barricades''.

* BewareTheNiceOnes: Gary Brooker blowing his stack at a German stagehand who was chatting with a member of the band and delaying the start of the song, variously reported as "Hey, we don't do friends, we do functions" or "Hey, we don't do friends, get off, ''fucker''. Bear in mind that Brooker is considered one of the nicest guys in music.....

* CoverVersion: Not common for them, but they did cover "I Keep Forgettin'" (by Chuck Jackson, written by Music/LeiberAndStoller) and Music/TheBeatles' "Eight Days a Week", both on ''Procol's Ninth'' (which Leiber and Stoller produced). There's also the CoverAlbum ''Ain't Nothin' to Get Excited About'', credited to the pseudonym Licorice John Death and not released until 27 years after it was recorded.