English rock band formed in Southend-on-Sea, Essex in 1967. Long-running lineup historically centered on Gary Brooker (vocals/keyboards, 1945-2022) and lyricist Keith Reid (1946-2023). Distinguished by their classical-music influences (particularly Bach) and Matthew Fisher's church-organ work.
Released 12 studio albums between Procol Harum (1967) and Novum (2017). Best-known recording: "A Whiter Shade of Pale" (1967), an immediate worldwide #1 that has remained one of the most-played songs in radio history. Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018. Brooker died in 2022 of cancer; Reid died in 2023.