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Bobby Harrison
Bobby Harrison
Bobby Harrison
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Robert Leslie Harrison (22 June 1939 – 7 January 2022) was an English drummer and singer who was best known as an early member of the progressive rock band Procol Harum.

Harrison (far left) with Procol Harum in 1967

Life and career

[edit]

Harrison was born in East Ham, London, on 22 June 1939. He was an early member of Procol Harum, but shortly after their 1967 hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" was released, he and guitarist Ray Royer left the group to form the band Freedom.[1] He also worked with several other members of Procol Harum on other projects; he joined a band called SNAFU which contained Procol's future organist Pete Solley, and also on Matthew Fisher's solo album Journey's End. His 1977 self-titled project album Nobody's Business was released only in Japan.

Harrison was later in a band called Journey, where he played Christian-oriented rock around the Leigh-on-Sea area of Essex. He died on 7 January 2022, at the age of 82.[2]

References

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Bobby Harrison

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Bobby Harrison (22 June 1939 – 10 January 2022) was an English drummer, singer, and songwriter best known as an original member of the progressive rock band , where he performed on their breakthrough 1967 hit single "." Born Robert Leslie Harrison in , , Harrison began his musical career in the early 1960s with local bands such as the Rockefellas and the , the latter releasing the 1965 single "Monkey Time." By 1967, he joined as their drummer, contributing to the band's debut recordings during their initial lineup phase, though he departed after just a few months amid reported personal and professional tensions. Following his exit from , Harrison co-formed the blues-rock group in 1967 with former bandmate Ray Royer, releasing several albums including Freedom (1970) and Through the Years (1971), which showcased his skills as both drummer and vocalist. In the mid-1970s, Harrison shifted toward and rock influences, forming the band Snafu with guitarist (later of fame), producing albums like (1973) and Situation Normal (1975) that highlighted his versatile musicianship and lead vocals. He also pursued a solo career, releasing the album Funkist in 1975, which featured a blend of and rock elements recorded with session musicians. Later in his career, Harrison collaborated with the Icelandic band Mezzoforte on the 1987 album , demonstrating his enduring presence in the music scene into the 1980s. In his later years, Harrison relocated to and became involved in as a member of the band Journey. Harrison passed away on 10 January 2022 at the age of 82, leaving a legacy as a pivotal figure in British rock's transitional era from to progressive and styles.

Early life

Birth and upbringing

Bobby Harrison was born at 12:30 a.m. on 22 June 1939 at in , . Raised in a working-class family in , a historically industrial suburb of 's East End, Harrison grew up with limited publicly available details about his parents or any siblings. His childhood unfolded in the post-World War II era amid the area's recovery from wartime bombing and economic austerity, where local community life in provided an environment of modest, everyday resilience typical of working-class neighborhoods.

Initial musical influences

Growing up in , a working-class area of , Bobby Harrison was exposed to the vibrant music scenes emerging in the capital during his adolescence. Harrison began learning to play as a self-taught musician in his teenage years, drawing inspiration from the rock 'n' roll and movements that defined . He frequented jazz clubs with friends, immersing himself in the improvisational styles and rhythmic complexities of the genre, which profoundly shaped his technical approach to drumming. Among his key influences were American jazz drummers such as , whose virtuosic technique and big-band energy captivated Harrison, alongside composer , whose orchestral innovations highlighted the drummer's admiration for jazz's harmonic depth. This period also sparked an early interest in the soulful grooves of R&B, blending with the raw energy of British beat groups that were gaining traction in local venues. In 1959, during his , Harrison joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers band as a drummer, performing in and , which provided further experience in structured musical settings. By the late 1950s, Harrison gained his initial performing experience in amateur groups and local pubs across , honing his skills through informal gigs that bridged with rock 'n' roll's driving beats. These early outings provided a foundational platform for developing both his drumming proficiency and vocal abilities, setting the stage for his later professional endeavors.

Early career

First bands and recordings

Bobby Harrison's professional music career began in the late as a in the beat group The Rockefellas, a local ensemble based in , near . The band played in the burgeoning British rock 'n' roll scene, providing Harrison with his initial experience in live performances and group dynamics. In 1965, Harrison joined the psychedelic folk-rock group , which had signed to Andrew Loog Oldham's newly formed Immediate Records label. With the band, he contributed to their debut single, "Monkey Time" b/w "The Golden Apples of the Sun," released that year and reflecting the era's emerging experimental sounds. The recording marked one of Harrison's first forays into studio work beyond basic . Harrison then formed his own group, Powerpack, in 1966, signing with Records and establishing himself as the alongside his drumming duties. The band issued two singles during 1966 and 1967 while performing regularly in London's vibrant club circuit. These releases showcased Harrison's growing interest in R&B and influences, though they achieved only modest commercial success. Amid his band activities, Harrison ventured into solo recording in the mid-1960s, releasing his debut single on , backed by renowned jazz saxophonist . This cover, drawing from traditions, highlighted Harrison's vocal abilities for the first time and demonstrated his versatility beyond percussion. The track's -infused arrangement underscored Harrison's exposure to diverse musical styles during this formative period.

Transition to Procol Harum

In 1967, Bobby Harrison transitioned from the mod and R&B scenes of mid-1960s to join , drawn in by his versatile skills as both a drummer and vocalist honed through earlier groups like the and Powerpack. His experience in these bands, which released singles on labels such as Immediate and , positioned him as a capable performer ready for a shift toward more ambitious musical territories. Harrison's recruitment stemmed from his prior acquaintance with pianist . After auditioning among roughly 40 other drummers, Harrison was selected as the final piece of the lineup, aligning with Brooker and Keith Reid's aim to create a band capable of delivering sophisticated, classically influenced arrangements beyond the raw energy of R&B. The audition process emphasized Harrison's self-taught proficiency on drums—influenced by figures like —and his broad musical tastes, which resonated with Reid and Brooker's vision for a group that could interpret Reid's poetic lyrics through layered, orchestral-like compositions. Harrison himself described as "the thing I have been looking for for the last four years," reflecting his enthusiasm for this evolution. Initial rehearsals commenced smoothly under early manager Jonathan Weston, fostering a close camaraderie among the members as they gelled amid the burgeoning psychedelic movement in British music, which encouraged experimental fusions of rock, classical, and hallucinatory themes during the 1967 . This period's cultural shift toward ornate and introspective sounds provided the ideal backdrop for the band's formation, bridging Harrison's rhythmic foundations with emerging progressive elements.

Time with Procol Harum

Formation and role

Bobby Harrison served as the original drummer for Procol Harum, joining the lineup in early 1967 after the band, initially formed from remnants of the Paramounts, sought a reliable percussionist from the London mod scene. The group's debut configuration featured pianist and lead vocalist Gary Brooker, organist Matthew Fisher, guitarist Ray Royer, bassist Dave Knights, and Harrison on drums, establishing a core ensemble that blended rock with classical and progressive elements. Recruited from his prior work in mod-oriented bands, Harrison brought a steady, groove-oriented approach that helped solidify the band's rhythmic backbone during its formative rehearsals and initial recordings. As the band's primary drummer, Harrison provided the foundational rhythms that underpinned Procol Harum's early sound, contributing to approximately 75% of the tracks on their debut album and influencing the ensemble's shift toward intricate, classical-infused arrangements. His playing emphasized dynamic grooves with a soul and R&B flair, drawn from his mod background, which complemented the band's progressive ambitions by offering a solid pulse amid Fisher's organ swells and Brooker's flourishes. This rhythmic stability was crucial in the live and studio settings of 1967, allowing the group to experiment with longer forms and atmospheric textures that defined their nascent style. His dual role as underscored his integral part in shaping 's early identity before lineup changes occurred later that year.

Contributions to debut single

Bobby Harrison joined as their in early 1967, shortly after the band's formation, and contributed to initial rehearsals and development of "," the group's debut single. He recorded an early six-minute version of the song at the night he joined the band, providing a track that helped shape the composition's rhythmic foundation during its formative stages. Although Harrison did not participate in the final recording session for the single at in in early April 1967—where session Bill Eyden was brought in by producer to deliver the steady backbeat supporting the organ and —he remained the band's official at the time of release. Eyden's performance on the track established the song's iconic, measured groove, but Harrison's role in the lineup positioned him as a key early member associated with the single. Harrison appeared in the promotional film for "," miming the drum part to Eyden's recording, which helped promote the single upon its on May 12, 1967. As part of Procol Harum's original lineup, he shared in the band's collective credit on the track, though individual musician credits were not listed on the label. The single achieved massive commercial success, topping the UK Singles Chart for six weeks and selling over 10 million copies worldwide, marking one of the best-selling singles of all time. Harrison left the band in July 1967, alongside guitarist Ray Royer, just as the track's global impact was peaking, but his brief tenure tied him to this landmark .

Freedom and mid-1970s projects

Formation of Freedom

Following their dismissal from shortly after the release of "," drummer and vocalist Bobby Harrison and Ray Royer formed in late summer 1967. The band's early work leaned toward , including a for the Italian film (also known as Black on White), released only in , recorded with an experimental blend of electronic sounds, harpsichords, and strings. By 1968, Royer had departed, and Harrison overhauled the lineup, redirecting the group toward a bluesy style influenced by the era's emerging heavy sounds. The reformed ensemble featured Harrison on drums and lead vocals, alongside Roger Saunders and Walt Monaghan, emphasizing raw energy and guitar-driven riffs over the previous psychedelic elements. This shift marked Freedom's transition to a more straightforward rock outfit, aligning with Harrison's vision for a harder-edged sound. Freedom's debut proper album, Freedom at Last, arrived in 1969 via BYG Records, showcasing covers like The Beatles' "Cry Baby Cry" alongside originals that highlighted the band's gritty blues-rock approach. The group followed with Freedom (1970), Through the Years (1971), and Freedom Is More Than a Word (1972), completing five albums by 1973. During this period, they toured extensively across the UK and Europe, supporting major acts such as Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, and the James Gang, which helped build their reputation in the hard rock circuit.

Work with SNAFU

In 1973, following the dissolution of his previous band , Bobby Harrison co-formed the British rock group alongside guitarist , who would later gain fame with . Harrison served as the band's and occasional , bringing his experience from and to shape SNAFU's sound, which evolved from blues-rock roots toward a fusion of rock, , and R&B elements. The lineup also included bassist Colin Gibson, keyboardist Pete Solley, and Terry Popple, creating a tight ensemble known for its energetic, groove-oriented performances. SNAFU released their debut album, Snafu, in 1973 on the short-lived WWA Records label, featuring tracks like "Long Gone" and a cover of "Drowning in the Sea of Love" that highlighted Harrison's soulful vocals and the band's rhythmic drive. The follow-up, Situation Normal, arrived in 1974, further refining their funky rock style with songs such as "No More" and emphasizing Moody's distinctive work alongside Harrison's charismatic frontman presence. Their third and final album, All Funked Up, issued in 1975 on , marked a stylistic peak with deeper R&B influences and tracks like "Don't Keep Me Wondering" that showcased the group's evolving blend of hard-edged rock and soulful grooves. Despite modest commercial chart performance in the UK, SNAFU garnered critical acclaim for their live shows, earning praise from broadcasters like and Bob Harris for their raw energy and musicianship. The band secured support slots for major acts, including being scheduled to open for during their planned 1974 UK tour, which was ultimately canceled due to the headliners' issues but helped build their reputation on the circuit. Harrison's tenure with SNAFU, lasting until the band's breakup in the mid-1970s, represented a commercially viable yet underappreciated chapter in his career, bridging his earlier blues work with funkier explorations.

Solo and collaborative work

Solo albums

Harrison's debut solo album, Funkist, was released in 1975 on , showcasing his shift toward and soul influences with tracks like "Cleopatra Jones" and "Whiskey Head," supported by session musicians including keyboardist Matthew Fisher and guitarist . The album highlighted Harrison's versatile vocal style, drawing from his earlier rock roots while exploring rhythmic, groove-oriented compositions. In 1977, Harrison led the supergroup project Nobody's Business, whose self-titled was recorded in , , and released in 1978 exclusively in on Nippon Columbia, featuring original tracks such as "Cut in Two" and "Bleed Me Dry" alongside collaborators on bass, Joe Jammer on guitar, and Jerry Frank on drums. This effort blended with elements, emphasizing Harrison's songwriting and lead vocals in a compact, high-energy format. Harrison's later solo release, , emerged in 1987 as an Icelandic private press on the Bat label, recorded with the jazz-funk band Mezzoforte in Reykjavik, incorporating fusion tracks like "Icelandic Rock & Roll" and "Overload" that fused bluesy vocals with instrumental grooves. The album achieved local success, reaching the Top 20 on Icelandic charts, reflecting Harrison's adaptation to new musical environments during his relocation.

Key collaborations

Harrison provided harmony vocals on the track "Going for a Song" from Matthew Fisher's debut solo Journey's End (1973), marking a reunion with his former bandmate and highlighting his continued ties to the progressive rock scene. In the early 1970s, Harrison contributed drums to Patrick Campbell-Lyons' album Me and My Friend (1973), a project involving members of the psychedelic band Nirvana, where his rhythmic playing added drive to the folk-rock arrangements alongside guitarist .

Later career

Mezzoforte and relocation to Iceland

In the early 1980s, following the disbandment of his band Snafu, Bobby Harrison relocated from the to , , seeking fresh musical opportunities in the burgeoning scene after meeting an Icelandic woman with whom he started a . This move marked a significant personal and professional shift, allowing him to immerse himself in 's vibrant local music community, where he promoted concerts, played numerous gigs, and appreciated the country's welcoming people and dramatic landscapes. Harrison's prior solo work in funk, such as his 1975 album Funkist, had prepared him stylistically for Iceland's jazz-funk environment. By 1987, he joined forces with the internationally acclaimed Icelandic jazz-funk band Mezzoforte—known for their global hit "Garden Party"—to record the album Solid Silver. Serving primarily as vocalist and songwriter on the project, Harrison penned most of the tracks, including originals like "Icelandic Rock & Roll" and "Hot Stuff," alongside covers such as "The Hunter" by Albert King. The Solid Silver sessions took place over just three days at Reykjavík's Stemma Studios, featuring Mezzoforte's core lineup—guitarist Fridrik Karlsson, keyboardist Eythor Gunnarsson, bassist Jóhann Ásmundsson, drummer Gunnlaugur Briem, and woodwind player Stefan Stefánsson—backing Harrison's blues-inflected vocals. Released exclusively in on the label, the 14-track R&B album achieved Top 20 success on local charts, reflecting Harrison's adaptation to the island's insular yet enthusiastic . Amid Mezzoforte's rising international profile, Harrison participated in tours and performances across , contributing to the band's recordings and helping secure promotional deals while navigating the challenges of a smaller market compared to the scene. This period solidified his role in 's jazz-funk landscape, blending his rock roots with the genre's fusion elements before the album faded from wider distribution.

Christian rock phase with Journey

Following his in April 1998, Bobby Harrison formed the band Journey around 2001 in the area of , UK. The group, a seven-piece ensemble occasionally featuring two female singers, was established at Thorpedene Baptist Church with the aim of serving through faith-based music. Harrison, who wrote most of the band's material, described Journey as a long-held vision that had become a fully operational outfit by 2006. Journey's performances centered on local venues around Southend, emphasizing rock arrangements infused with faith-inspired lyrics that reflected Harrison's spiritual transformation. The band's repertoire incorporated gospel elements, aligning with Harrison's commitment to and . The band continued local performances into the , including gigs in 2009, 2010, and a 2014 at St Barnabas Church. This phase marked a deliberate shift toward community-oriented gigs following Harrison's return to Southend from , where he had previously collaborated with the jazz-funk band Mezzoforte. In 2016, Harrison participated in reunion performances with Snafu, including a show at London's . Journey remained active until Harrison's death in 2022.

Personal life and legacy

Family and religious conversion

Harrison met his wife, Wendy Mitchell, at Southend's Bar'n'Bus, a mobile drop-in youth centre, where the pair struck up a relationship that led to their marriage on 28 December 2002 at Thorpedene Baptist Church. The couple resided in Thorpe Bay, Southend, establishing a stable family life that provided Harrison respite from the tumultuous world of professional music. In April 1998, Harrison underwent a profound , becoming a born-again Christian and committing to use his life in service to his faith. This transformation prompted sweeping lifestyle changes, helping him overcome the personal toll of his earlier rock career. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Harrison had grappled with the excesses of the rock lifestyle, including exploitative dealings with "Mafia-type" agents, which ultimately contributed to his exit from Procol Harum and a period of reflection. After returning to the UK from Iceland, Harrison centered his later years on family and spiritual pursuits in Southend.

Death and tributes

Bobby Harrison died on 10 January 2022 at the age of 82 at Colchester Hospital near Southend-on-Sea, England, from undisclosed causes. According to a family announcement, he became unresponsive on 7 January after failing to wake from sleep and passed away peacefully that Monday night. His death was first announced publicly on 11 January 2022 through fan communities, including a post on the band's official group detailing his final days. Music blogs and sites like DMME followed with notices emphasizing his quiet dignity in life and career. Local obituaries, such as one in the Gazette, highlighted Harrison's foundational contributions to as the original for 's debut single "A " and as a key figure in the formation of influential bands like and . Tributes poured in from fans and the music community, portraying Harrison as an underrated pioneer whose versatile drumming and vocals shaped early progressive and while later influencing through his leadership of SNAFU. In the Procol Harum fan group announcement, members described him as "a very talented and unique musician, singer, , songwriter, and a great guy" who would be "sorely missed by all who knew him." DMME's echoed this, calling him an "utter gentleman" and a man of "great deeds" whose stable life contrasted with rock's typical turbulence. Radio DJ Bob Harris, a longtime supporter, honored Harrison by sharing a recent interview clip from his SNAFU era, underscoring his enduring impact on British rock.

References

  1. https://www.discogs.com/artist/783805-Bobby-Harrison
  2. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/notice/19881047.robert-leslie-bobby-harrison/
  3. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bobby-harrison-mn0000065162
  4. https://www.allmusic.com/artist/freedom-mn0000803384
  5. https://www.procolharum.com/procolbh.htm
  6. https://www.eastlondonhistory.co.uk/a-brief-history-of-east-ham-in-london/
  7. https://thestrangebrew.co.uk/bobby-harrison/
  8. https://www.procolharum.com/mm-band-file_67.htm
  9. https://www.procolharum.com/99/bh_funkist-cd.htm
  10. https://singsongmusic.com/news-bobby-harrison-the-journey-from-psych-to-funk/
  11. https://www.procolharum.com/bh%27rpc.htm
  12. https://www.procolharum.com/history.htm
  13. https://www.procolharum.com/royer_harrison.htm
  14. https://jazzrocksoul.com/artists/procol-harum/
  15. https://www.procolharum.com/recordings.htm
  16. https://www.loudersound.com/features/procol-harum-a-whiter-shade-of-pale
  17. https://www.discogs.com/master/67316-Procol-Harum-A-Whiter-Shade-Of-Pale
  18. https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/procol-harum-a-whiter-shade-of-pale/
  19. https://www.procolharum.com/99/freedom_bow.htm
  20. https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2023/08/freedom-born-again-the-complete-recordings-1967-72-2023.html
  21. https://deeppurplepodcast.com/2021/07/12/episode-117-bobby-harrison-funkist/
  22. https://www.discogs.com/artist/937951-Snafu-6
  23. http://alexgitlin.com/npp/snafu.htm
  24. https://jazzrocksoul.com/artists/snafu/
  25. https://www.discogs.com/master/320764-Snafu-Snafu
  26. http://www.imwan.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=120595
  27. http://ggconcerts.on-reflection.org/part4.htm
  28. https://www.discogs.com/release/21021331-Bobby-Harrison-Funkist
  29. https://www.discogs.com/release/8799310-Nobodys-Business-Nobodys-Business
  30. https://jazzrocksoul.com/artists/nobodys-business/
  31. https://www.discogs.com/release/6227395-Bobby-Harrison-Solid-Silver
  32. https://singsongmusic.com/new-audio-release-bobby-harrison-solid-silver-singsong226/
  33. https://www.discogs.com/release/9629439-Matthew-Fisher-Journeys-End
  34. https://www.progarchives.com/album.asp?id=14734
  35. https://www.procolharum.com/bh-solid.htm
  36. https://www.cherryred.co.uk/bobby-harrison-anthology-2cd
  37. https://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/11282644.sixties-rock-stars-gigsat-church/
  38. https://recordcollectormag.com/reviews/live/atomic-rooster-2
  39. https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/5460652.southend-barnbus-true-love-story/
  40. https://www.procolharum.com/bh=solid.htm
  41. https://dmme.net/bobby-harrison-passed-away/
  42. https://www.facebook.com/groups/procolharums/posts/10159070560742631/
  43. https://dmme.net/bBobby-harrison-passed-away/
  44. https://www.facebook.com/WhisperingBobHarris/videos/on-the-sad-occasion-of-the-passing-of-bobby-harrison-from-snafu-we-post-this-sho/191272676508201/
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