We were sad to hear news of the death of Keith Reid, lyricist for the groundbreaking British band Procol Harum, on March 23. The band has a special place in our hearts, and Reid -- who wrote the lyrics for almost all of Procol Harum's songs -- contributed to the unique, baroque aura of the band through his Edward Lear- like lyrics, even though he never played an instrument. Of the most popular lineup, only guitarist Robin Trower, bassist David Knights, and organist Matthew Fisher now survive. Here are two early songs, "Shine on Brightly," from the 1968 eponymous album and, of course, their classic "A Whiter Shade of Pale," from their self- titled 1967 album.
"And so it was that later/ as the miller told his tale/ that her face at first just ghostly/ turned a whiter shade of pale."
