Simple Sister

The Zoo Crew is spinning the raw, hypnotic vibes of Simple Sister by Procol Harum, a track from their 1971 album Broken Barricades, and the Zoo Freaks are surely digging its gritty energy. This song kicks off with a searing guitar riff from Robin Trower, which engineer John Punter nicknamed "Pimple Blister" for its biting, almost cruel edge, paired with Keith Reid’s lyrics that some have called misogynistic for their harsh narrative about a sister with whooping cough facing brutal treatment. Despite the controversy, Simple Sister became a live favorite, especially in the USA, with every Procol Harum guitarist from Trower to Mick Grabham and beyond putting their stamp on its iconic five-note rhythm. The song’s repetitive structure, built on a C minor, B flat, A flat, G chord progression, layers sounds like "mad banjos" as Trower described, creating a trance-like intensity over nearly a hundred bars. It was released as a single in August 1971, backed with Song for a Dreamer, and even got airtime on a WPLJ radio show in New York that same year, cementing its place in the band’s live repertoire.

One wild tidbit from the Procol Harum website recounts how Gary Brooker rearranged Simple Sister for a 1990s Barbican performance, giving it a Carmina Burana-style orchestral twist that leaned into self-parody, a bold move for what Brooker called a "heavy metal thing" with barely a tune. Fans on platforms like Reddit’s r/TheTikiHut still rave about Trower’s unmistakable guitar intro, with one user recalling a 1970s concert where Trower shared the stage with Rory Gallagher for what they dubbed "guitar nirvana." The song’s riff, inspired by the upbeat Cool Jerk, was flipped into something darker to match Reid’s savage lyrics, a deliberate irony noted by fans on the Beyond the Pale fan site. Some speculate the title might nod to the nursery rhyme "Simple Simon" or even Lindisfarne’s Fog on the Tyne, which uses the phrase "simple sister" and hit UK charts around the same time in 1971.

Procol Harum began in 1967 in London, England, born from the ashes of The Paramounts, a rhythm and blues band fronted by Gary Brooker and Robin Trower. Brooker, a soulful vocalist and pianist, teamed up with lyricist Keith Reid to craft songs that blended baroque, blues, and progressive rock, setting them apart from their peers. Their breakout hit, A Whiter Shade of Pale, dropped in 1967, becoming a global sensation with its Bach-inspired organ by Matthew Fisher and poetic lyrics. The band’s early sound, driven by Brooker’s voice, Fisher’s organ, and Trower’s guitar, carved a unique niche in the progressive rock scene, though their bluesy roots kept them grounded. Despite lineup changes, including Fisher’s departure in 1969 and Trower’s exit after Broken Barricades in 1971, Procol Harum continued to innovate, with Brooker steering the ship through decades of albums and tours. Their influence on art rock is undeniable, with fans and critics alike crediting them as pioneers of the genre.

Stay connected with Procol Harum through their official Facebook, Instagram, and X accounts, where they share updates on tours and releases. Fans can dive deeper at the Beyond the Pale fan site, a treasure trove of band history, setlists, and trivia curated by dedicated Zoo Freaks. The Procol Harum Appreciation Society on Facebook is another vibrant hub where fans swap stories, rare photos, and memories of epic live shows. Whether you’re grooving to Simple Sister or exploring their catalog, the Zoo Crew knows Procol Harum’s legacy keeps the airwaves alive with psychedelic, soulful vibes.