"A Whiter Shade of Pale" Procol Harum at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday, July 18

The band that gave the world "A Whiter Shade of Pale" and their follow-up hits "Conquistador" and "A Salty Dog" almost 50 years ago is still skipping "the light fandango" and so are its diehard fans, who are coming from all points to see Procol Harum in concert at The Ridgefield Playhouse on Friday, July 18, at 8 p.m. Singer/pianist/composer and founding member Gary Brooker remains the leader. Their latest release is the double CD Inside/Outside, which celebrates more than forty years of studio and live recordings. Tom Tom's Restaurant and Bakery (417 Main St., Ridgefield) will pour a free glass of house wine with dinner the night of this show when tickets/stubs are presented. An AllShows.com VIP Party Pass ($25 addt'l per person), which includes a cocktail party from 6:30 – 7:15 p.m. with open bar, hors-d'oeuvre and priority parking, is available for this show by calling the box office (203-438-5795). This event is partially underwritten by AcousticMusic.org and is part of the Xfinity Rock Series with media sponsor WSHU Public Radio Group.

The secret of the band's continuing success, Brooker firmly believes, is the material: "We don't do pop songs as such. Procol Harum is a soul and blues band, which has these other influences because of the people who are there. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" wouldn't have been such a big hit, nor "A Salty Dog" or many other songs, unless they'd had soul."

Hailing from Britain in 1967, Procol Harum contributed to the development of progressive rock and, by extension, symphonic rock. Although the hit "Whiter Shade of Pale" is noted for its baroque and classical influence, Procol Harum's music also embraces blues, R&B and soul. Their international smash hit, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" is one of fewer than 30 singles to have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide. In October 2012, the band was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Procol Harum rocks on, in their entire splendor: a galleon in full sail and soul.

For tickets ($70; $85 Gold Circle Seating), call or visit the box office at (203) 438-5795. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT; ridgefieldplayhouse.org.