Gary Brooker, the frontman for Procol Harum, has died aged 76 after a battle with cancer. The singer, known for co-writing A Whiter Shade of Pale, passed away on Saturday, with the band releasing a statement today.
He lit up any room he entered.
Procol Harum
The statement reads: “With the deepest regret we must announce the death on 19 February 2022 of Gary Brooker MBE, singer, pianist and composer of Procol Harum, and a brightly-shining, irreplaceable light in the music industry.
“Aged 76, he had been receiving treatment for cancer, but died peacefully at home.
“From his earliest onstage duets with his musician father, through his youthful recording career with Southend’s The Paramount’s, 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.
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The statement continued: “Gary’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 (and his surreal inter-song banter made a fascinating contrast with the gravitas of Procol Harum’s performances).
“But for all his other interests and skills – prize-winning angler, pub-owner, lyricist, painter, inventor – 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.”
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