The first fans make it through the storms outside. Lights on the curtain behind the band, and plenty of natural light in the hall as well

Procol Harum's gear stands waiting

Brisk trade at the official merchandise store: two brand-new designs of tee-shirt, live DVDs, albums and so

Josh Phillips is to play the new digital B3 ... a lightweight, and astonishingly clear-voiced, descendant in a venerable line

Geoff Dunn's Yamaha kit, and Matt Pegg's bass rig

The RD600 stands ready for Gary Brooker. This instrument has been in Southend all week for
Palers' Band rehearsals and it belongs to one of webmasters of the site it advertises

The audience assembles. The gig is completely sold out, but not all these comfy padded seats will be filled,
because of the appalling weather which disrupts communications all over southern England

Jens and Roland from BtP introduce 'the band you've known for all these years'

G Whitehorn, lead guitar

Gary, Geoff, Geoff, Matt enjoying themselves in the sweltering heat onstage

More photographs from the 40th anniversary celebrations | More pictures from the same camera and the same occasion | Still more