Procol Harum's NME coverage ...

25 May, 8 June, 13 July 1968

These excerpts from New Musical Express, kindly selected for 'Beyond the Pale' by Yan Friis, show the alarming decline in Procol press: the band seem to be monitored only by the laconic compiler of 'Tailpieces'.

NME May 25, 1968

 Front page: Full page ad for The Rolling Stones’ Jumpin’ Jack Flash (Decca)

 Headlines:

 CALIFORNIAN UNION GAP SPURN THE PSYCHEDELIC by June Harris

 MICK [Jagger] SAYS
’I don’t think the success of this single is any more important than the last one… I shall be pleased if it is a hit, but that applies at any time’
by Keith Altham

The English scene is a load of old rubbish geared to one market, the mums and dads
GIVE THE YOUNGSTERS A BREAK, SAYS JOOLS (Julie Driscoll)
by Keith Altham

FOR SCOTT: WALKER IS DEAD, ENGEL LIVES!
by Keith Altham

Tipped for the charts by Derek Johnson:

The Rolling Stones, Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Paul Jones, When I Was Six Years Old

NME Top 5:

1. ( 1) Young Girl, Union Gap
2. ( 3) Honey, Bobby Goldsboro
3. ( 4) A Man Without Love, Engelbert Humperdinck
4. ( 2) What A Wonderful World, Louis Armstrong
5. ( 7) I Don’t Want Our Loving To Die, Herd

News pages:

HARUM AWAY UNTIL AUGUST
Procol Harum will not now be returning to Britain until August 4. The group’s next American tour is due to begin on June 27, and all its members will remain in the States until then concentrating on rehearsing and composing.
 
 

Tail-pieces by the Alley Cat

…One years since Procol Harum’s chart debut…

NME June 8, 1968

Front page: Full page MCA ad for John Rowles (Hush… Not A Word To Mary), Topol (Wonderful Land) and Neil Diamond (Brooklyn Roads).

Headlines:

JIMI, ERIC, MOVE, KOOBAS & TRAFFIC
Swiss police violence beats all!
by Keith Altham

I FEEL SURE OF THIS 'BOY’!
says Lulu, who is also looking for a real boy to fall in love with!
by Richard Green

THE TENSIONS THAT HAVE CHANGED DAVY JONES
by Alan Smith

Tipped for the charts by Derek Johnson:

John Rowles, Hush… Not A Word To Mary
Manfred Mann, My Name Is Jack
Louis Armstrong, The Sunshine Of Love
1910 Fruitgum Co., May I Take A Giant Step

NME Top 5:
1. ( 1) Young Girl, Union Gap
2. ( 2) Honey, Bobby Goldsboro
3. ( 3) A Man Without Love, Engelbert Humperdinck
4. (12) Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Rolling Stones
5. ( 4) I Don’t Want Our Loving To Die, Herd

AMERICA CALLING
by June Harris

(excerpt)

The "English Invasion" will be one date on the upcoming series of concerts being planned as part of the Philadelphia Music Festival, to kick off on July 3 at the JFK Stadium in Philly.

The British blockbuster is set for July 24, and heading will be the Who, along with the Troggs, Procol Harum and special guest stars the Pink Floyd and soul crusaders, the Mandala, from Canada…

(missing in action. NME July 6!)

NME July 13, 1968

Front page: Dusty Springfield’s I Close My Eyes And Count To Ten (Philips)

Headlines:
RICHARD HARRIS TALKS ABOUT JIM WEBB
by Keith Altham

BEATLES, 1968
We are family grocers, says Paul
by Andy Gray

Well, doggone – if it ain’t John Rowles
by Keith Altham

DONOVAN: 'I SING FOR THE FUN OF SINGING’
by Keith Altham

Tipped for the charts by Derek Johnson
Herman’s Hermits, Sunshine Girl

Tom Jones, Help Yourself

 NME Top 5

1. ( 1) Baby Come Back, Equals
2. ( 3) Son Of Hickory Holler’s Tramp, O.C. Smith
3. ( 5) I Pretend, Des O’Connor
4. ( 2) Jumpin’ Jack Flash, Rolling Stones
5. (10) Yesterday Has Gone, Cupid’s Inspiration

Tail-pieces by the Alley Cat:

…What became of Procol Harum?…