In 1967, Procol Harum released their self-titled first album, that included a song that was destined to become a hit— but not until 4years later…and not in its original form.

In 1971, the group was invited to perform and record with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra In Alberta, Canada). As they were scrambling against a deadline to find material to play, they decided to open the concert with “Conquistador.”

With no time to rehearse, they gave the orchestra the sheet music and told them to wing it.

Like most symphony orchestras, the Edmonton group was up for a sight-reading challenge, and performed magnificently.

It turned out so well, “Conquistador” was released as a single, and music critics fell in love with it, praising its “sheer, bracing excitement” and accessibility.

It was certainly different than what you normally heard on the radio back in 1971, but people loved it, sending it to #16 on Billboard’s Hot 100, and #7 on Canada’s Top 40.

All in all, it was a “Great Song of the ’70s,” even if Procol Harum couldn’t pronounce the title correctly. Throughout the song, they sang it as con-QUIST-a-dor, as opposed to con-KEE-stah-dor.

But hey, they wrote it, so I guess they could sing whatever they want! “-)

== Mike Cook