Procol Harum

Beyond
the Pale

Procol Harum's 30th Birthday Party

Redhill, England, 19 July 1997

Henry Scott-Irvine considers this gathering to have been unique in the history of rock: what other band (retrieving musicians and songs from such an august 30-year history) would contemplate playing, without being paid even expenses, as the guests of its fans?

How it started – Internet postings as the news of the Redhill concert broke

Three pages of Pictures of Fans gathering before and after the concert

Several pages of Pictures from the Harlequin Theatre

Have a look at the actual set list retrieved from the Redhill stage

The text of Douglas Adams's excited introduction

Who played what? A song-by-song guide to the evening's instrument-swapping

First in from Redhill – Jens Anders Ravnaas reports, on his return to Norway, 21 July 1997

The Grand Finale? Redhill postings from America On-Line, 22 July 1997

Impressions from the Harlequin Lobby – reflections on the Redhill show by Leonard Boehm

Thirty Years of Procol Harum and A Whiter Shade of Pale – a Redhill memoir by Pat Keating

Happy Birthday Sweet Thirty – superbly-enjoyable article translated from Poland's Tylko Rock

Hans Volkhardt's images

This Old Cat – Roland Clare's widely-enjoyed and comprehensive account of the Redhill experience.

'It was a very good read!' said Gary Brooker.
'I thought it was great – really interesting,' said Mick Grabham.
'I really enjoyed your review of Redhill,' wrote Chris Copping.
'I really admire your exceptional sensitivity, your feel for atmosphere, your knowledge of musical structures and background information,' wrote a German fan

Notes on Henry Scott-Irvine's films from the Procol party

Harlequin ...

Merchandise from Redhill – splendid memorabilia still available – including the excellent 32-page souvenir programme, reviewed here.

July 1998: 'Beyond the Pale' looks back 365 days to Redhill

July 2002: five years on … 'Beyond the Pale' looks back; pages of Redhill pictures: here, here, here, here and here