With their hit A Whiter Shade of Pale at the end of the 60s, they marked the history of music forever. Procol Harum singer and pianist Gary Brooker has died of cancer…
A “radiant light of the music industry” turned off. Gary Brookerlead singer of British rock band Fragrant Procol died at the age of 76 years old on Saturday February 19. These are the other members who spread the very sad news on their official website: “It is with great regret that we must announce the death, on February 19, 2022, of Gary Brooker (…), singer, pianist and composer of Procol Harum“. According to the press release, the musician “was being treated for a cancer” most “died peacefully at home”.
Death of Gary Brooker: the underside of a tube that has become cult
Procol Harum, formed in 1967 in London, is best known for the hit A Whiter Shade of Pale, inspired by pieces by Johann Sebastian Bach. Huge success of the 60s, the title then number 1 in 17 countries, has been covered several times by different artists such as Annie Lennox and Billy Joel. Considered psychedelic at the time, Gary Brooker returned to the composition of the song during an interview with Parisian in 2017: “It was one morning in the house in Southend where I lived with my mother. I started writing it, and I immediately thought I had a good idea. (…) The lyrics were very carefully thought out. It’s not a drug-induced delirium.”
Gary Brooker lived for music
As for Gary Brooker, born in London in 1945, he learned to playing the piano from the age of 11. Passionate about music, fascinated by melodies, he decided to found a first group The Paramounts then to form Procol Harum.
After ten years, and many changes among the members, the group withered and dissolved in 1977. The singer and pianist then embarked on a solo career and collaborated in particular with Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney et George Harrison.
He reformed Procol Harum in 1991 and continued his tours, passing through Paris in 2017, until 2019… Before illness unfortunately took over.
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