FIRST TIME HEARING Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade of Pale (LIVE Denmark 2006) 

Grew up with this. We didn't know back then that we were living in a golden age of music and creativity.

Sure is a shame for the younger generation that missed this era. Whiter shade of pale is a masterpiece.

Think about the fact that Brooker is singing it with the same nuance and power as 50 years earlier. This is an amazing song. I’m 75 and I remember the emotional impact I felt when I heard it for the first time in ‘67.

Every generation believes their music is the best...but I swear, ours had music & artists that just can't be matched. If you haven't slow danced to this song, you've missed out.

I love when that Wurlitzer comes in. RIP Gary Booker. He was 60 when they recorded this and his voice aged like fine wine. I was so lucky to have grown up with such good music. Every generation says that they had the best generation of music but my generation has the receipts. This is one of them.

This is the national anthem of rock music. Gary said in an interview he thought the song maybe had 10 years and would be forgotten. He further stated that young people continued asking for it. 49 years later (2006) after he and Procal Harum released it, someone came up with the idea to add the orchestra and choir, which took this masterpiece to a different dimension. Thank you Gary.

This is better than great.... it's an absolute masterpiece! It's an anthem from my youth and I've been listening to this for over 50 years. Gary Brooker's voice never diminished as he got older and I was gutted to hear of his passing last year. He was a legend. Thanks for the respectful and enthusiastic reaction to a fantastic song from the 1960's, the decade that laid the foundation for popular music as we know it today.

There are very few artists that can sound better live than the original recording, Gary Brooker was "All" of them put together with this performance, he absolutely smashes this right out of the park.. The music, choir and Gary's vocals are just pure magic. This audience just don't realise how lucky they were to be there on that day. R. I. P G Brooker 🙏🙏🙏

RIP Gary. Beautiful Voice.Loved this since 1967.❤

There's a vast ocean of music out there, sit back, cast your line, and you'll never go without. But most importantly always enjoy it.

In my opinion, simply one of the greatest songs of all-time, for sure, and Gary Brooker had a fantastic voice. RIP Mr. Brooker.

This version has far more classical music then in the original but it’s beautiful. His voice has changed very little. This is 60’s and 70’s, baby!

Gary Brooker is one of the few artists to not lose his voice as he aged.

RIP Gary Brooker MBE, a never-to-be forgotten musician and musical hero - and … what a nice man. 😢😢😢😢

Probably one of the greatest live performances of all time ❤

One of the most beautiful songs ever written. ❤️

Bach turned into jazz and rock surrounded by classical orchestral brilliance. It is one of the greatest live concerts ever produced.

Love to see younger people appreciating older music.

Gary Brooker was 62 at this performance. The song came out in 1967, when he was 22. This song tied with Bohemian Rhapsody for Best British Rock Song. In 2004, this song was listed as the most played British song.

Absolutely magnificent rendition of this rock classic, with the Danish National Orchestra. The original is just as full & classically beautiful. Thanks for your reaction.

I was 10 years old when this came out, I'm now 66. Never get tired of listening to this version.

Gary Brooker wrote and sang many great tunes. If this has to be the moment he is remembered for so be it. A fantastic arrangement and a fantastic performance of a timeless standard. . It does not matter what race or religion you belong to if you are a breathing human being this haunting melody will affect you . RIP Gary - and thank you for this beautiful song .

I am so glad I grew up when I did. I am 61 and I see these young people who have no idea of how great these bands were.

The lead singer Gary Brooker formed Procol Harum in 1967, predominantly a songwriter he formed the group after struggling to find artists to record his material. This song was the first release from their debut album that year and topped numerous charts worldwide including their native UK 🇬🇧 chart for 6 weeks. It is one of the most commercially successful singles in history having sold over 10 million copies worldwide and over 1,000 cover versions have been recorded by other artists! Sadly, we lost Gary in February 2022 😢 Stunning performance this, after nearly 40 years when they performed this they had matured like the finest aged Scotch whisky 🥃😊

RIP, Gary 🙏🏼 For those of us who were around back in the day.... He had definitely improved with time. This was a performance for the Ages !!

Miss him...this was an epic performance...makes me cry its so beautiful. .

Gary Brooker passed just last year. His voice got better with age. That’s rare. The choir back up harmony is incredible. The orchestra back up was very special here. That Hammond organ is priceless. We had one in our living room. My Mom and uncle played. The song was released in 1967. Timeless! RIP Gary!

Saw Procol Harum at a small college auditorium in Claremont Cali and they were amazing. Robin Trower was the original guitarist with the band. Peter Frampton said this is the best rock song ever written. This song came out in the 60’s and was way ahead of it’s time.

One of the greatest songs ever written

I have loved this and shared it with Family and Friends for years, it blows them all away when they hear it for the first time, an unbelievable rendition!!!

I am 50 years old and I have loved this song all my life

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the most requested song in England over the last 50+ years. Procol Harum in my opinion are one of the most overlooked psychedelic/progressive bands of the 60's and well beyond. Too many people know this magnificent song but don't know the band had 15 plus other studio recordings that are all incredible. Lead singer, Gary Brooker recently passed away but was performing as late as 2021. The great Robin Trower and drummer BJ Wilson, were original members of Procol Harum. BJ Wilson was originally considered by Jimmy Page as Led Zeppelin's drummer. You need to listen to the Procol Harum's next 2 albums "Shine on Brightly" and "A Salty Dog" . They are psychedelic/ progressive masterpieces. Being a teenager throughout the 60's, I know these types of rock masterpieces you're gonna find from bands from that era. "A Whiter Shade of Pale", "Stairway to Heaven", Sgt Peppers, "Allman Brothers live at the Fillmore" Derek and the Dominoes "Layla". and I notice people are stumbling on Bobby Hatfield of the "Righteous Brothers doing "Unchained Melody," something every music lover should here. And if you're not familiar with the rise of Motown in the early 60's with the "Supremes," the "Four Tops", the Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and so many more. To have the "English Invasion" and "Motown" start at basically the same time was just incredible.

Paul McCartney was once asked which song he had wished he’d written. He replied, “A Whiter Shade Of Pale”. It was the song that was playing when Paul went on a date with first wife Linda Eastman! This song is a masterpiece!! Takes me back to growing up in the 60s. Peace, love , & rock n roll ☮️ 💟 🎶

This song was inspired by Air on a G String composed by Bach in 1723. RIP Gary Brooker, singer and songwriter for Procol Harum who just passed recently.

One of the best pop songs ever written.

Poco Harum. This song came out in 1967 I'm so privileged to be this generation. Please watch the original video

There are HUNDREDS of outstanding songs from just the 1960s and 1970s. What a time to grow up with music. The original studio version has been a go-to at least 3 to 4 times a year since 1967!

If you listen to the original studio version of this classic, then listen to this live version done almost 50 years later, it is nearly remarkable that the man actually sings this much better. Wow! What a performance. Gary Brooker was a very, very talented man.

One of the greatest rock songs of ALL TIME! Beautifully done with the Danish National Concert Orchestra and choir! RIP Gary Brooker.

"She said there is no reason..." That line just slides from Garry's throat like molten gold - breaks my heart every time I hear it. 💜💜

That is the music we grew up with I was also blown away when I saw this rendition of the song I was saddened to hear that he had passed what a great talent he was.

RIP Gary Brooker...genius!

He played a bum note in the last chorus - bet you didn't notice - but he acknowledged it by raising his hand - he is just amazing. RIP Gary. Such a 'tuneful' piece.

The sixties and seventies had some of the absolute best music of the last few decades. So many amazing songs and bands/singers. Watching these reaction videos done by younger people who are hearing it for the first time is really entertaining as I watch the appreciation on their faces as they discover it. For me, it's getting reacquainted with some old favorites I haven't heard for decades.

In a way, I envy you for being able to hear this wonderful song for the very first time. This particular performance may be the best that Gary Brooker and Procol Harum ever gave. This really is one for the ages.

His voice is even better 50 years later... Nice reaction

It still may be the best rock song of all time!

A Whiter Shade of Pale isn't even in my top 5 Procol Harum songs but this performance is one of the greatest live performances of all time.

Gary Brooker (lead singer and founding member) was 22 when he recorded this song. He was 61 at this performance. He passed away last year from cancer. The Moody Blues group also used orchestra in their music. They did it in 1964.

I’ve loved this song since I was a kid. I have to say when I became aware of this live performance it was so emotional. The orchestral arrangement is sublime. It surpassed my expectations for how good a live performance could be. Rest In Peace, Gary Brooker. 🕯

His voice has not changed a bit. WOW! With the orchestra and the chorus, it just amped it up. Beautiful. Yes, you do have a lot of music to discover. The orchestra and the chorus were added for this performance.

He’s the original singing one of the most covered songs ever written. It’s a beautiful enigma of a song and he’s great. Rest in peace.

Every generation has the soundtrack of their youth. I'm lucky enough to have had mine in the '60s and '70's. So many great songs and artists.

Gary Brooker was channeling Ray Charles doing Bach. Notice just like Ray he did not rush the beat. He kept it real slow and steady and his vocal delivery was pure r&b

This is the best reaction I 've seen to this performance. True understanding and appreciation of the brilliance of it all.

Love this song. I actually prefer the studio version from the 60's as it is the one I grew up on. This live version is very good though as it shows how powerful Gary Brooker's voice was even as he got older. "Conquistador" is another great song by Procol Harum. Sad to hear of his passing recently.

Inspired by the beautiful baroque music of composers like Bach, Handel and others of this 17th century artistic style. The music we grew up on in the 60s and 70s was so good, we took it for granted and miss it a lot now. 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Being a drummer myself, I love how the drummer recreated the feel of the original drum part and did not do too much. Plus of course the Hammond organ.

He also did "Conquistador" at this same concert, amazing performances

Now you can see why the original was number one worldwide. The original version started with the organ; this one is elevated by the orchestra and the choir both are masterpiece either way. Annie Lennox also covered this and does it justice. I'm afraid that there are many more fantastic songs still to discover. The 60s and 70s were a time of an explosion of great musicians and songwriters, week and week we had new, wonderful and innovative songs to fall in love with.

Your reaction is spot on .. absolutely jawdropping .. Rest in Paradise Gary Brooker

I've been listening to this song since I was about 13 or 14 y.o.; but NEVER have I enjoyed it more than this ! The whole thing is pure joy !!

Am 77 years young grow up with all this lovely music.heard Beatles 63...so all this music was my soul food....grow up with 60-70-80... My best time.am not worry about new generation... they have found. My music..love it.

Thank you "SalvoG" for this wonderful song from Procol Harum with singer Gary Brooker! The original is from 1967 (Love and peace era and Beat time). Gary- RIP all time and the song: a whiter shade of pale. Gary died 19.Ferbruary 2022😪👈

This performance took place 40 years after the original studio release, yet lead singer Gary Booker (RIP) sound just as good if not better here as he did on the studio version!

As a high schooler when this song dropped, I was immediately obsessed, I went out and purchased the album, which is very different from this song. Now in my golden years I am eternally grateful that Procol Harum did this incredible arrangement for us in 2006. This song, like Puccini's Nessun Dorma, always gives me goosebumps no matter how many times I hear it. Goosebumps, the universal sign of truly exceptional music. It is sad that all these amazing musicians, unfettered by the globalists, who now own the music industry are slipping aways from us. I love that the younger generations are finding these gems. Your reaction to this beloved song has been my favorite, if you have kids, I hope you share it with them. Peace☮

This beautiful orchestral version of Knights in White Satin is perhaps one of the greatest arrangements ever done. When Gary Brooker first performed this song with Procol Harum in the late 1960s it had none of the orchestrations added to this performance. He has left this world but this amazing song and this performance will be with us forever. RIP Gary Brooker and Thank you!

This is a wonderful live version, but the original is worth a listen. I’ve loved the song from way back. It’s supposedly based on The Canterbury Tales by Chaucer. There is an explanation out there; maybe someone here knows and will share. Now you’ll want to continue with Nights in White Satin by The Moody Blues Or anything by ELO.

That a song about infidelity and betrayal could be so wonderfully written and survive all these years is amazing. Brooker knew how to turn a phrase. He is very missed.

One of the best songs ever, and a great performance...but the original recording was just as wonderful. Always gives me goosebumps, no matter how many hundreds of times I have heard it. ❤️

Growing up my guitar teacher turned me on to this band a couple years after it came out. I want to say 1969 or 70 I'm so grateful I was part of this great generation of the best music ever. Thanks for finding and posting this.

I was 15 years old when this fab song came out- yep I’m a love child-“Always wear flowers in your hair was the saying- I love how you research- and remember- just spread thru radio and tv- and concerts- I like you picked this full out version- I love my generation!!!!💛✌️🌼🌻🍄

This live performance is the best compliment this song could ever get! Amazing!

For many of us this was our first love and kiss song while dancing in the dark ..who would agree? 😉💖 50 years after Gary's voice is still great

I saw Procol Harum back in 1969 (Toronto). Gary Brooker's voice was amazing then and aged like a fine wine. Conquistador is brilliant as well as "Whiskey Train" where you dive into cowbell & Robin Trower heaven.

I’ve chosen to have this performance played at my funeral. It is just pure perfection to me. RIP Gary Brooker. You are dearly missed. 😔

So glad you were able to get to this video. Such an impressive performance by the original lead singer of Procol Harum, Gary Brooker (R.I.P.). It is one of my favorite videos.

Very few songs like this exist. It’s a stone cold classic of a song. When they came out with this and he sang it everyone just thought wow.

I can tell you where this music has been, it came from my childhood. This is why I'm so grateful for the sixties and seventies music that we boomers grew up listening to. It was the greatest time for music, music with substance and meaning and a purpose.

I've seen many reviews of many things by many reviewers and I have to say up front that this gentleman is the first I've seen that bothers to do a little homework before listening. Much respect for that. He went on to ask many questions and one he likely discovered is that the prelude was created especially for this performance, but Gary did use orchestration early on (I think he's credited with inventing progressive rock. Others were The Beatles, Moody Blues, Jethro Tull, etc.) - mostly inspired by classical music. He modeled this on a progression he liked by Bach: Air On The G String. I've always loved this, so much that when I haven't heard it in a while, it can bring tears to my eyes, can't help it, then I have to listen to it over and over, especially this rendition. It truly is a masterpiece. They had some other impressive hits too, like Conquistador and A Salty Dog... Gary himself was quite interesting. Many interviews with him popped up the day he passed away. I say this too, I love when true music lovers discover what us baby boomers knew back in the sixties when we were hit with so much of it within about a 15 year period. It was all so good we thought it would never end... that was a special time for sure and we're all so lucky it's still around; so much of it is just timeless...

Glad you like the performance... from my era...a kinder gentler time... when love was real...as far as the lyrics go...it borders on surrealism... it can mean whatever you want it to mean... just enjoy the journey...

The live version of “aSalty Dog” from the same concert is excellent and one of my favorites.😊

You just witnessed what the definition of music is. It was the meeting of 2 genre's at the site of a castle in Denmark. Is it any wonder why it was # 1 in so many Countries around the world? I've seen it many, many times and one small part of the video really touches me more than any other. When that woman from the chorus belts out that one part of the melody it was so dramatic and I believe they could have heard her in nearby Sweden. Of course you will get comments about his passing but he was fortunate to do his thing for decades and this song, particularly this performance in Denmark, will never be forgotten. I believe it will reach over 100M views this year.

Sheer PERFECTION!!! This song was born in 1967 when I was 15. I've definitely gained appreciation for the song over the years!! Thank you!!! Excellent reaction!! R.I.P. Gary Brooker....singing to the Angels now.💜💜🎶🎼🎵🎸🥁🎧🎤🎙🎹

1967-1972 was the golden age of popular music IMHO, although this yet to be acknowledged

The orchestral intro was added just for this live performance. In the 1960s, there were many rock anthems - A Whiter Shade of Pale is the most loved, honored, and respected.

I love this song so much! It always makes me emotional. Gary Brooker's voice is legendary. R.I.P Gary

This was my moms favorite song. She passed a year ago. Bringing me to tears. I love it too. This came out the year I was born I think. 1967

You had to grow up in the early 70's with 2 older brothers. To hear this stuff

Robin Trower used to be the lead guitarist for this band. If not familiar with Robin Trower's work, take a listen to his album "Bridge of Sighs". He doesn't do the singing, but his guitar? Out of this world. Gary Brooker is the singer on this particular, he's always been the pianist/singer in the band. Procol Harum was one of my favorite bands growing up - and have remained in my head & heart all these years.

In 1967 when this came out I was working at Ocean City and you heard this song everywhere. It was such a huge hit. I loved it then and I love it now. Gary Booker’s voice is every bit as good. RIP Gary.

I can't understand how no one has heard this ass kicking song before. 67 I was 8 years old when it came out. am 65 now and it's has beautiful now as it was then.

One of those songs that gives me the shivers no matter how many times I've heard it.

Classically beautiful. The voice, the song, what a moment to be there. I agree with the comments definitely the best era to grow up in music. We were so lucky.

I play this song EVERY DAY !!!! RIP G.B.

I was born a decade after this song hit, and it's still my all time favorite song. I've loved it since I was a little kid and heard it on one of my dad's LPs. It's a perfect tune.

Wow!!! That was just unbelievable Salvo!!! Thank you very much. What a great singer!!

Oh wow he sounds better than the studio version from 50 years ago. My mind is blown.

Thats what we had in the 70's and early 80's. So many great bands and music. The golden age of rock

This is my favorite lifelong slow song at age 67. I have to click on it whenever I see it and if live to 100, I'll still be clicking on it!