Procol Harum frontman Gary Brooker, who co-wrote and sang the band’s 1967 classic “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” has died at 76 after a battle with cancer

[basquebromance]

I was in love with Procol Harum from the moment I heard them.
Gary was a genius and along with miraculous lyricist, Keith Reid, their work is heavenly.

Procol Harum Frontman Gary Brooker Dead at 76

Procol Harum frontman Gary Brooker, who wrote and sang their 1967 classic "A Whiter Shade of Pale," has died from cancer at 76.

www.rollingstone.com

 

[sparky]

godspeed gary

~S~

 

[okfine]

I was in love with Procol Harum from the moment I heard them.
Gary was a genius and along with miraculous lyricist, Keith Reid, their work is heavenly.

Procol Harum Frontman Gary Brooker Dead at 76

Procol Harum frontman Gary Brooker, who wrote and sang their 1967 classic "A Whiter Shade of Pale," has died from cancer at 76.

www.rollingstone.com

I bought the album right away when I heard "A Whiter Shade of Pale" That song has some history. Many have done a rendition.

The story behind Procol Harum's A Whiter Shade Of Pale

The long and protracted tale behind UK prog legends Procol Harum's 1967 number one smash hit A Whiter Shade Of Pale

www.loudersound.com

 

[Ridgerunner]

RIP

Gary Brooker, lead singer of English band Procol Harum, dies, aged 76

Band pays tribute to musician ‘notable for his individuality, integrity, and occasionally stubborn eccentricity’

www.theguardian.com

 

[okfine]

Behind the Song: Procol Harum, "A Whiter Shade Of Pale"

What is the meaning of A Whiter Shade of Pale? American Songwriter goes behind the song of this Procol Harum classic.

americansongwriter.com

 

[Likkmee]

I was in love with Procol Harum from the moment I heard them.
Gary was a genius and along with miraculous lyricist, Keith Reid, their work is heavenly.

Procol Harum Frontman Gary Brooker Dead at 76

Procol Harum frontman Gary Brooker, who wrote and sang their 1967 classic "A Whiter Shade of Pale," has died from cancer at 76.

www.rollingstone.com

With a lil Trower

 

[Ridgerunner]

With a lil Trower

Thanks Likkmee ... Been years since I listened to this album...

 

[Harry Dresden]

he was a good song writer and had a good voice....

 

[basquebromance]

"She Wandered Through the Garden Fence" (two versions of this song were released—one with a "firm" ending, not a fade-out)

 

[basquebromance]

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is simply one of the most successful - and greatest - singles of all time, selling more than 10 million copies, and used in hundreds of movie and TV soundtracks.

“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,” Procol Harum said in a group statement. “Nor was it characteristic of his own writing. Over thirteen albums Procol Harum never sought to replicate it, preferring to forge a restlessly progressive path, committed to looking forward, and making each record a ‘unique entertainment’.”

“He lit up any room he entered, and his kindness to a multilingual family of fans was legendary,” they continued. “He was notable for his individuality, integrity, and occasionally stubborn eccentricity. His mordant wit, and appetite for the ridiculous, made him a priceless raconteur (and his surreal inter-song banter made a fascinating contrast with the gravitas of Procol Harum’s performances).”

 

[basquebromance]

"Brooker grew up in London and formed the Paramounts with guitarist Robin Trower when he was just 17. They gained a large following on the London club scene and even shared bills with the Rolling Stones on several occasions; but the group found little success with their studio recordings outside of a 1964 cover of “Poison Ivy” that became a minor hit in England."

 

[basquebromance]

"Salad Days (Are Here Again)" (from the film Separation, 1968)

 

[basquebromance]

"Glimpses of Nirvana" is spooky, and evokes the Dalai Lama

 

[basquebromance]

 

[Harry Dresden]

"A Whiter Shade of Pale" is simply one of the most successful - and greatest - singles of all time, selling more than 10 million copies, and used in hundreds of movie and TV soundtracks.

“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,” Procol Harum said in a group statement. “Nor was it characteristic of his own writing. Over thirteen albums Procol Harum never sought to replicate it, preferring to forge a restlessly progressive path, committed to looking forward, and making each record a ‘unique entertainment’.”

“He lit up any room he entered, and his kindness to a multilingual family of fans was legendary,” they continued. “He was notable for his individuality, integrity, and occasionally stubborn eccentricity. His mordant wit, and appetite for the ridiculous, made him a priceless raconteur (and his surreal inter-song banter made a fascinating contrast with the gravitas of Procol Harum’s performances).”

get together by the Youngbloods was widely regarded as defining ‘The Summer of Love’....just sayin....

 

[basquebromance]

 

[Ringo]