AN UNMISSABLE DATE FOR THE DIARY [Martin Clare kindly sends an English version of the brochure text below]
The Province of Bergamo is happy to host, in the captivating setting of the Palazzo della Provincia, the only Italian date of the historic group PROCOL HARUM.
Among the very foremost exponents of British progressive rock, Procol Harum are considered one of the most influential groups in the history of rock and the ‘prophets of the orchestral sound’. Right from their début in 1967 they confirmed themselves as a revelation in rock, literally overturning the international record market with the sales of ten million copies of the single A Whiter Shade of Pale – a worldwide success known by many in Italy in the Italian version Senza Luce (Without Light), sung by Fausto Leale, I Dik Dik, and Wess, and with lyrics by Mogol.
Among the group’s most famous tracks we recall Homburg, also reworked in Italian by I Camaleonti as L’Ora Dell’Amore (Time for Love or The Time of Love), and A Salty Dog which became the theme-tune of a television programme.
The leader and founder of the group, Gary Brooker, initially keyboard-player and pianist, became its principal voice after meeting Keith Reid, he who became the band’s lyricist.
In the years following the début the band had their greatest success, publishing ten albums until 1977 when they split and the members continued their musical careers separately. Gary published three solo albums (No More Fear of Flying, Lead Me to the Water and Echoes in the Night) and played alongside numerous groups including Eric Clapton’s band. In 1991 Gary Brooker, the soul of the band, reunited the companions and began to relaunch Procol Harum, publishing new records.
The concert on 24 July at Bergamo is one very much desired by the Provincial Administration, which continues to offer interesting musical spectacles in the courtyard of the Provincial Palace.
Note that the band will be the normal touring Procol Harum, not including Mark Brzezicki (centre) nor Matthew Fisher (left) as shewn in the illustration.