"A Whiter Shade of Pale" by Procol Harum

It was fifty five years ago today that "A Whiter Shade of Pale"by Procol Harum hit no. 1 on the British singles chart. It would remain no. 1 on the chart for three weeks. It peaked at no. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. Ultimately, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" would sell over 10 million copies worldwide.

A promotional film for "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was shot at the ruins of Witley Court in Worcestershire, England. It was directed by Peter Clifton, who would go onto direct the Led Zeppelin concert film The Song Remains the Same (1976). Better known than the promotional film for "A Whiter Shade of Pale" is perhaps the film made for Scopitone visual jukeboxes. The members of Procol Harum in the  Scopitone film does not reflect the actual personnel who had worked on the song "A Whiter Shade of Pale." Drums on the song were provided by session drummer Bill Evden, who did not appear in the original promotional film either. Guitarist Ray Royer had left Procol Harum and been replaced by Robin Trower by the time the Scopitone film was shot. The Scopitone film was shot in and around London.

Without further ado, here is the Scopitone film of "A Whiter Shade of Pale."