Today we heard the sad news that Gary Brooker has died last Saturday, February 19, 2022. Brooker was a great singer and composer. We all remember his ’A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ with his group Procol Harum. We remember him on our TopPop channel.
Rest in peace, Gary.
Gary Brooker, the lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum, whose 1967 hit A Whiter Shade of Pale mesmerised baby boomer fans with its psychedelic melancholy, has died at the age of 76.
The pianist, composer and lyricist as well as frontman for the band had been treated for cancer. He died peacefully at home at the weekend.
A statement on Procol Harum’s website described Brooker as “a brightly shining, irreplaceable light in the music industry”.
It added: “Gary exhibited and developed a highly individual talent. His first single with Procol Harum, 1967’s A Whiter Shade of Pale, is widely regarded as defining the ‘summer of love’, yet it could scarcely have been more different from the characteristic records of that era ….
“Gary’s voice and piano were the single defining constant of Procol’s 50-year international concert career. Without any stage antics or other gimmicks he was invariably the most watchable musician in the show.”
Gary Brooker, MBE, (29 May 1945-February 19, 2022) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist and founder and lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours on 14 June 2003, in recognition of his charitable services.
In 1966, Brooker founded Procol Harum with his friend Keith Reid.
“A Whiter Shade of Pale“ was the worldwide hit for which Procol Harum is best known, but Brooker’s melancholic vocals and emotive, eclectic piano playing were a key part of Procol’s musical mix for the entire course of the band’s career. In the early years Brooker, Hammond organist Matthew Fisher and Trower were the guiding musical forces behind the band, but after disparities in style became too much and Fisher and Trower left, Brooker was the clear leader until the band broke up in 1977. Brooker started a solo career and released the album ’No More Fear of Flying’ in 1979.
This video was recorded by TopPop , 21 07 79
In Gary Booker’s band: Tim Renwick, guitar, Bruce Lynch, bass and Dave Mattacks on drums.
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Broadcast date: 21 July 1979
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