RIP: Gary Brooker of Procol Harum ("Whiter Shade of Pale", & more)

[Old No7]

Aw man, we've lost one of the greatest voices in rock 'n roll.........

“Gary’s voice and piano were the single defining constant of Procol Harum's fifty-year international concert career.

Without any stage antics or other gimmicks, he was invariably the most watchable musician in the show,” the statement ** says.

** From the band's press release

...

Gary Brooker, who sang Procol Harum’s intoxicating ballad “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” has died at 76.

The musician, who co-wrote the band’s 1967 classic which came to define the “Summer of Love,” lost his battle with cancer Saturday, according to his surviving bandmates.

“He lit up any room he entered, and his kindness to a multilingual family of fans was legendary,” said Procol Harum of their late singer in a statement on social media.

“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),” the band added.

...

I do believe that I "turned a whiter shade" upon hearing this sad, sad news...

RIP Gary -- thanks for all the great music.

So sad...

Old No7

Gary Brooker then now.jpg

[Old No7]

In Gary's honor...

Here it is, one of my Most favorite versions of "A Whiter Shade of Pale" with the Danish National Concert Orchestra in 2006, and starting off in a minor key as well (click for link).

I'll have to crank up my Hammond organ (clone) and play that song this evening................

Old No7

[CowboyTutt]

Aw Man, what a performance!!!!! I would have to put that song in the top 10, maybe top 5 of rock and roll ever. Sorry to hear, thank you for the link. Bookmarked and saved.
-Tutt

[gamekeeper]

Aw Man, what a performance!!!!! I would have to put that song in the top 10, maybe top 5 of rock and roll ever. Sorry to hear, thank you for the link. Bookmarked and saved.
-Tutt

Plus one to the above, sad news indeed. RIP Gary Brooker.

[piller]

May he Rest In Peace. Prayers for comfort for his family sent.

[ywaltzucanrknrl]

Great song. I also liked "Conquistador" a lot. RIP, Gary.

I also listen to Robin Trower's, "Bridge of Sighs" quite a bit, they had some great talent in that band.