Gary Brooker, R.I.P.

Gary Brooker, the lead singer and pianist for the 1960's band Procol Harum, passed away on F

ebruary 19th of cancer. He was 76.

Brooker and Procol Harum became an overnight sensation in 1967 with the release of their debut single "A Whiter Shade of Pale" which Brooker co-wrote and sang lead. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" became a 1960's standard and has been covered by thousands of artists. 

Needless to say, Brooker and Procol Harum could never top "A Whiter Shade of Pale". But they were far from a one-hit wonder. The group released 9 albums over a 10-year period and had hits with "Homburg" and a live version of "Conquistador" in collaboration with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra before breaking up in 1977. 

For his part, Brooker collaborated with the likes of George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Kate Bush and the Alan Parsons Project before re-forming Procol Harum in the 1990's becoming a touring act through 2019. I leave you with Brooker sharing a few moments with his adoring public back in 2017. R.I.P.