B. J. Wilson
The powerful and inventive drummer whose thunderous yet precise beats propelled Procol Harum's baroque rock anthems into classic status.
1947–1990 (age 43)·English drummer·Birthday: March 18·Baby Boomers
Biography
B.J. Wilson didn't just keep time for Procol Harum; he gave their complex, classically-influenced rock a muscular, jazz-inflected heartbeat. Joining the band in 1967, just after their smash hit 'A Whiter Shade of Pale,' Wilson brought a new level of dynamism and technical flair. His drumming on tracks like 'A Salty Dog' and 'Conquistador' was both powerful and nuanced, capable of symphonic grandeur and driving rock intensity. He possessed a rare combination of raw power and meticulous control, which made him a favorite among musicians and a critical component of the band's signature sound during their most creative period. Wilson's style, influenced by jazz greats like Elvin Jones, set him apart in the progressive rock scene. His later years were marked by personal struggles, but his recorded legacy remains a masterclass in dramatic, intelligent rock drumming.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
B. was born in 1947, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When B. Was Born
The biggest hits of 1947
#1 Movie
The Egg and I
Best Picture
Gentleman's Agreement
B.'s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1947Born
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1952Started school
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1960Became a teenager
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1963Could drive
JFK assassinated in Dallas; Martin Luther King's 'I Have a Dream' speech
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,100Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Sugar Shack" — Jimmy Gilmer & The FireballsBest Picture: Tom Jones
1965Could vote
US sends combat troops to Vietnam
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $13,600Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" — The Rolling StonesBest Picture: The Sound of Music
1968Turned 21
Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy assassinated
Gas: $0.34/galHome: $14,950Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"Hey Jude" — The BeatlesBest Picture: Oliver!
1977Turned 30
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 40
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1990Died at 43
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
Key Achievements
- Played drums on all of Procol Harum's classic albums from 1967's 'Procol Harum' through 1977's 'Something Magic.'
- His powerful performance on the live version of 'Conquistador' with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra was a key factor in the track's hit success.
- Provided the dramatic, rolling percussion that defined epic Procol Harum tracks like 'A Salty Dog' and 'Whisky Train.'
- Was highly regarded by peers, with Keith Moon of The Who citing him as one of his favorite drummers.
- His work helped define the baroque and progressive rock sound of the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Did You Know?
Before joining Procol Harum, he was a member of the Paramounts, the earlier band that also featured Procol's Gary Brooker and Robin Trower.
Wilson was known for his ambidextrous drumming style and often played a massive drum kit.
He turned down an offer to join The Who after the death of Keith Moon in 1978.
He was a skilled cartoonist and would often draw caricatures of people he met.
His nickname 'B.J.' stood for Barrie James, his given first and middle names.
“The drums should propel the song, not just accompany it.”
