Procol Harum

Beyond
the Pale

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Procol Harum at Stratford, Ontario

The first PH orchestral concert


The first of Procol Harum's orchestral gigs has often been mentioned as the precursor to Edmonton, The Hollywood Bowl, London's Rainbow Concert, the European orchestral tours, the Barbican show, Guildford 2000, the Manchester Halle gig, and Ledreborg Castle 2006

But little specific information about this concert had come to light, until Alan Semok wrote to BtP with some prime Procol history:

 

My wife and I (both professionally involved in the theatre) have been attending the Stratford Festival in Canada for years. When I learned of the concert PH did there on 6 July 1969 I set out to find whatever I could about the event ... and my efforts finally bore fruit a couple weeks ago, courtesy of the Festival Archivist. It seems doubtful that a recording of this event would ever turn up, but at least we can experience what it might have been like via this programme and the review, which I've transcribed from a very murky copy, complete with photo.

Superb work, Alan: thanks very much! Now what we need is another eye-witness account: please mail BtP if you were there!


Excerpts from the Stratford programme

Beacon Herald, 7 July 1969

The Telegram, Toronto, 7 July 1969

An ear-witness account of the concert

Index to PH + orchestra pages

Kitchener Waterloo Record, 7 July 1969

London Free Press, 7 July 1969

The Spectator, Monday 7 July 1969

Toronto Star, 7 July 1969

Toronto Globe and Mail • 7 July 1969


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