Shine On-line

Postbag

by Unsteady Freddie, Attorney at Law, New York

LETTER 1
I just received the May Shine On and lo and behold, what do we have here? On page 6 there is a story by Andrew Deas called 'The BBC Sessions'. But it’s the photograph that has caught my attention.

Unless I am greatly mistaken, I took that photograph? Where did you get it? I believe I took a series of photographs of the band during the Grand Hotel tour, and this is one of them. No, I’m not threatening legal action! (Yes, I am an attorney).

Let me backtrack a bit. I have been a fan of Procol Harum since day one. I began to get to know the members individually during the US Home album tour. I attended Syracuse University, where my friendship with the group members began to develop (in particular BJ Wilson, Keith Reid, Chris Copping and Gary Brooker; and later got to know Mick Grabham and Alan Cartwright quite well. I would attend every show within a 300 mile radius (that means Albany, Buffalo and of course the NYC area. I cannot recall where I took the photos in question, but I did send them to every band member, as I would correspond with them regularly by mail. My guess is this photo came to you via Gary or Chris when he was visiting.

I made up those special Procol Harum shirts for the band members, with white rhinestones in the Procol Harum name (I used the Salty Dog cover / Players cigarettes artwork), with red rhinestones in the 'Hero's' eyes (and each member had their name on the back in red rhinestones; I had one too, and still have it locked away!!). I've also got a Grand Hotel towel in a frame somewhere.

I believe, although you cannot tell, in the photograph you reprinted, that Alan is wearing one of my shirts. Incidentally, Gary came out wearing the damn shirt in NYC when the re-formed band did a live radio performance from Electric Lady Studios — I thought I was seeing things!!

For those Procol Harum collectors, perhaps you have in your possession a 2-record set (not released in the US of Procol Harem’s Greatest Hits on Chrysalis in the 1980s? This is the one with the name Procol Harum spelled wrong. If you have the cassette version, you will find my liner notes. It was a great honour to be asked by Keith to write them.

In 1977, the same year the band disbanded, I got married. They then reunited when I broke up with my wife in the early 1990’s. What could that be about? Draw your own conclusions… So many wonderful tales to tell: like the time in Rochester NY when the band was on tour, and in the same hotel (and all over town) there was (I swear to God) a Deaf Bowlers' Convention in town! You’d turn a corner in the hotel lobby, and there’d be thousands of people in bowling shirts (but it was dead silent). Then were was the Exotic Birds and Fruit US tour … the album had come out the day I saw the band perform in upstate NY, and when they came out and just before they began, I screamed out as loud as I could 'Is it on, Tommy?' Well, it caused a near riot on stage, cracking everyone up! I also happened to be in Florida when the lads were recording Something Magic, and was in the studio when the LP had its first official ‘playback’ in its entirety.

Anyway, as luck would also have it, I became the East Coast US publicist for Chrysalis Records in 1978, and one of my first projects was Gary’s first solo LP No More Fear of Flying. Although he did not perform, we went on a brief promotional tour with his then manager, Nick Blackburn. Strange things befell that LP release. The weekend before its US release there had been another terrible plane crash in America (I believe it was one of those DC-10s again), which put the damper on the album. Also, while on tour, we ran into the band Little Feat in Boston (a particular favourite of Gary and Keith). I had taken some photos of Gary with Lowell George, Little Feat’s leader, backstage at the club called The Paradise. We then headed for Washington DC where Little Feat were also performing. But then tragedy struck again — Lowell George passed away, so photos from the Boston session still undeloped in my camera, were never used. That damn album was cursed, poor Gary..for it was a great record.

Anyway, I could go on and on. But do me a favor and let me know where you got the photo, if it is mine, and do you have any others? Until then, skip softly …

Diane responded to Freddie’s letter letting him know that the photo came into her posession via Beverly Payton. Freddie then phoned, then sent this fax.

All this talk about 'the Lads' has stirred up a great deal of feelings and memories. That photograph I wrote to you about in my previous letter … your letter essentially confirmed that I was the photographer after all (no need to panic, I won’t sue). My memory tells me it was during a performance of Souvenir of London during the Grand Hotel tour.

Your letter mentions Beverly Payton and you inquired as to whether I know her. Well the answer is a flat-out 'yes'. As it happens, back in the mid-70s my wife and I were driving around her neighborhood of Riverdale, NY and came across a salon called Procol Hairum. I tell you, I thought I was seeing things! Shortly thereafter, I was backstage at the Felt Forum in NYC, and mention this to Keith. 'I know. I’d like you to meet Beverly ... she owns it

Another quick story to relate: when the band had reunited in the early 90s and were back in Battery Studios working on The Prodigal Stranger I look my daughter Courtney along to meet everyone (she was only two-and-a-half at the time). Without warning, she blurted out, 'I love Procol Harum'.

Gary and Keith looked at me trying to determine if I put her up to this. Then Gary instructed her, 'it’s pronounced Procol Harum', in his inimitable accent. Then Courtney says back 'Okay, I love ‘Purple Harry!’. Gary then says 'No, it’s Procol Harum'. My daughter then responded 'Well, then OK, I love Broken Arm'. Needless to say, everyone just completely cracked up. For a moment, I think there was a thought of calling the album 'Purple Harry’s Broken Arm'.

And then there was a trip I took to the UK in 1976 (before my ill-fated marriage) with my (now) ex-wife. We stopped by Keith’s home and he greeted me out of his window by shouting at me 'Lower your American voice!'. (I talk loud, probably 'cause I’m a lawyer, or is it 'solicitor').

Stay in touch.

Back to 'Shine On-line' November 1998