B.J. Wilson
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Barrie James Wilson (18 March 1947--8 October 1990); born in Edmonton, London, England; was the original drummer of Procol Harum. He did not play on their hit single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" (that was jazz session drummer Bill Eyden) [1], but he did play on their later hit single, the live version of "Conquistador". Wilson was the only stable member of the band besides Gary Brooker during their commercial and artistic peak from 1967 to 1977.
After Procol Harum disbanded in 1977, Wilson played on Frankie Miller's "Double Trouble" album in 1978, and was a member of Joe Cocker's touring band between 1979 and 1984 [2]. He was also the drummer on Cocker's hit single "With a Little Help from My Friends", recorded in 1968.
In 1983 Wilson was brought in to play drums on AC/DC's Flick Of The Switch album after their drummer Phil Rudd left the band midway through the recording for the album. Though none of his contributions were used in the final album there is a cover version of AC/DC performing the Junior Wells song "Messin' with the Kid" available on some bootlegs which may feature Wilson on drums.
B.J. Wilson was the drummer on the movie soundtrack of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, on which his former Procol Harum bandmate, guitarist Mick Grabham, also played. Wilson's last recorded work was on the 1985 Gary Brooker solo album Echoes in the Night, along with his former Procol Harum bandmates Brooker, Keith Reid and Matthew Fisher, on tracks "Ghost Train," "The Long Goodbye" "Hear What You're Saying" and "Mr. Blue Day."
He died in Eugene, Oregon, following a long illness. He was married and had two daughters.
In order to mark what would have been B.J.'s fifty-fourth birthday, a group of fans decided to name a star after him. Consequently the star formerly known as #00044501811 (in the Constellation of Ophiuchus, the Serpent Bearer, whose co-ordinates are RA 18h22m45.89s Decl. 07d 06' 27.61") is now known as "BJ Wilson, Procol Harum's drummer".[1]
[edit] Notes
[edit] External links
- B.J. Wilson's extensive fan page at procolharum.com
- Master Drummer B.J. Wilson: one fan's tribute
| Procol Harum |
|---|
| Current members: Gary Brooker ·
Geoff Dunn · Matt Pegg · Josh Phillips · Geoff Whitehorn · Keith Reid |
| Former members:
Dave Ball · Dave Bronze · Alan Cartwright · Chris Copping · Matthew Fisher · Mick Grabham · Dave Knights · Mark Brzezicki · Dee Murray · Pete Solley · Jerry Stevenson · Robin Trower · B.J. Wilson |
| Discography |
|
Studio Albums: Procol Harum · Shine on Brightly · A Salty Dog · Home · Broken Barricades · Grand Hotel · Exotic Birds and Fruit · Procol's Ninth · Something Magic · The Prodigal Stranger · The Well's on Fire Live albums: Procol Harum Live with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra Other albums: The Long Goodbye · Liquorice John Death: Ain't Nothin' To Get Excited About · One More Time - Live in Utrecht 1992 · |
