Keith Reid

Who is Keith Reid?

Keith Stuart Brian Reid is a songwriter who wrote the lyrics of every Procol Harum song that is not instrumental or a cover. For many years he resided in the United States.

Although he did not sing or play an instrument, lyricist Reid was a pivotal element to the long-term success of Procol Harum, teaming with vocalist/composer Gary Brooker to write most of the group's material. Reid left school at the age of 15 and soon began writing lyrics, inspired primarily by Bob Dylan. Through Island Records chief Chris Blackwell, Reid was introduced to R&B impresario Guy Stevens, who in turn introduced him to fledgling composer Brooker in 1966. The two began collaborating, and upon compiling a number of songs set about assembling a band to record their material; with the Procol Harum line-up in place, they first recorded "A Whiter Shade of Pale", which set Reid's surreal lyrics to a Brooker melody inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach. The single topped the UK Singles Chart for six weeks in mid 1967, going on to sell over six million copies worldwide. For his efforts, Reid was credited as an official member of the group, and he wrote all of Procol Harum's lyrics through to the band's 1977 demise.