LEAD singer of the rock band Procol Harum Gary Brooker has sadly passed away aged 76.
The star co-wrote the band’s 1967 hit A Whiter Shade of Pale which topped European and US charts, selling more than 10m copies.
Gary Brooker, the lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum has passed away aged 76.
The star had an ongoing battle with cancer and was receiving treatment.
Reports say that he died peacefully at home over the weekend (February 19).
A statement on Procol Harum’s website reads: “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.”
The band continued to add: ” Brooker’s charisma was by no means confined to the stage. He lit up any room he entered, and his kindness to a multilingual family of fans was legendary. He was notable for his individuality, integrity, and occasionally stubborn eccentricity. His mordant wit, and appetite for the ridiculous, made him a priceless raconteur.
“He was above all a devoted and loyal husband to Franky, whom he met in 1965 and married in 1968, our thoughts must be with her, their families and friends at this extremely sad time.”
His song, A Whiter Shade of Pale, written with Keith Reid, reached the top of the UK charts two weeks after it was released at the start of the ”summer of love”.
It was the hippy nirvana of sex, drugs and rock’n’roll that caused an outraged amongst the older generations.
The single dominated the European and US charts, selling more than 10m copies.
It has since been covered by other artists – including Annie Lennox and Billy Joel – more than 1,000 times.
