It was a thrilling and emotional experience to witness the legendary Procol Harum, a classic British band with a rich history dating back to 1967. As a long-time fan, I was excited as the lights dimmed and the band took the stage, making the evening's highlight truly unforgettable.
Arriving at the venue early, I was filled with anticipation and excitement. We secured a front-row view, with my place right in front of the piano, ready to be swept away by the music.
Procol Harum was touring on their new album, Grand Hotel, released in March 1973. They had the album and played many tracks during the show, including Grand Hotel, Bringing Home the Bacon, Toujours l'Amour, and For Liquorice John.
Procol Harum, masters of their craft, treated us to their classic songs. They led the show off with Conquistador, a timeless favorite, and continued to delight us with Shine on Brightly and Simple Sister, where Mick Gobham's lead was nothing short of fantastic. The evening was brought to a perfect close with Salty Dog, one of the two songs in their encore.
Gary Booker's voice remained strong throughout the evening. The rest of the band did a fantastic job, with highlights from Mick Gobham on many tunes. The rhythm section of Alan Cartright on Bass and B.J. Wison on drums did a tremendous job on all the songs.
In 1973, the band underwent several personal changes, including the departure of some key members and adding new ones. The current members for this tour were Gary Booker, Piano and Vocals; Mick Grabham, Guitar; Chris Copping, Organ; Alan Cartright, bass; and B.J. Wilson, drums. Despite these changes, the band's performance was spectacular, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.
The other acts supporting the show were The Strawbs and Terry Reid, who were acts my friends and I were excited to see.
