Procol mentioned on David Letterman's TV programme

Star esteem from Richard Lewis

Al 'One-Eye' Edelist sends BtP a part-transcription of an interview between David Letterman, an American talk-show presenter, and Richard Lewis, an American comedian who introduced Procol's rainswept gig in Los Angeles in July 2003. This encounter took place on 13 October 2004, and also present was MD Paul Schaefer, who backed Brooker and Fisher on Letterman's TV programme on 10 October 1991, right at the start of the New Testament  

Letterman
Welcome the Prince of Pain, Richard Lewis.

(Lewis enters stage to Purple Haze)

Letterman
Nice to see you again.

Lewis
Thank you.  Good to see you guys, man.

Letterman
Now, in the old days, that's not the music he'd play you on with.

Lewis
What did I come on to?  An opera?  That was it!

Letterman
No, there was another song.  Do you remember that Paul?

Schaefer
I thought that was – oh, Manic Depression we used to play ya

Lewis
No, no.  For 27 years it was Purple Haze ...

Schaefer
Purple Haze

Letterman
Purple Haze

Lewis
I guess that's it for me.  Thank you.

Schaefer
Goodnight.

Letterman
I thought it was ...

Schaefer
(sings the guitar part for Purple Haze)

Letterman
I thought it was – well, I can't remember

Schaefer
We used to play Manic Depression.  When it was our choice it was Manic Depression

Letterman
Right

Lewis
No – well that was probably before I got –

Schaefer
wrong a –

Lewis
No, before I got into recovery, I didn't care what you played.  Sounded like Purple Haze.  I had trouble with – Ya know I have AOL. 
I've been in a long-term relationship.   I went on the chat room.  I don't act out.  I'm monogamous.  I pray I can keep doing it, ya know. 
By the way, great to see you healthy and married.  Congratulations.

Letterman
Well, thank you.

Lewis
To you and [inaudible] and no exaggeration

Letterman
Was it Procol Harum?

Schaefer
ahhh –

Lewis
Procol Harum is one of my favourite groups

Letterman
Procol Harum, A Whiter Shade of Pale

Schaefer
Whiter Shade of Pale

Letterman
Whiter Shade of Pale!  That's what it was.

Lewis
and Purple Haze

Letterman
Are you sure?  I thought it was A Whiter Shade of Pale

Lewis
Ya know, I have twelve seconds left!

(Interview continues ... powerful stuff, eh wot?)

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