The Guitarist of Grand Hotel

A copy of the original cover art

Thanks, Beverly Peyton

It has long been known that the recording of Grand Hotel was started with Dave Ball playing guitar. But when they finished, Mick Grabham was the new guitar-player of Procol Harum. Whether tracks of Dave's playing have been left on the recording is still debated. But most Procoholics seem to agree that the front cover of Grand Hotel shows a picture of Dave Ball's body with Mick Grabham's head grafted on.

BtP proudly presents the proof that the original photo was taken with Dave Ball:

Take a look at the person on the left - and then look at the picture on your album. This picture was kindly sent to BtP by Beverly Peyton, who tells:

I was simply given the photo of Grand Hotel by Derek Sutton, Procol's manager. I was in their NYC office one day and he handed me several photos which I was ever so grateful for. I think I vaguely remember accommodating Derek in the office with a haircut and when I was getting ready to leave he presented them to me. Little did I know at the time how important that photo would become. Oddly enough, Gary had seen that photo in my house several times, but it wasn't until his last visit that he was looking at the photos on my wall and upon viewing it said 'So you're the one who has it!'

To which I replied, 'Well, technically it's yours. You're certainly welcome to it.' It remains on my wall. When I took it to photocopy for you, I refused to carry it without the frame for fear that something would damage it.

How nice it would eventually look in the R & R Hall of Fame when they get inducted! ;-)