showbizProcol Harum singer Gary Brooker has died aged 76. He died on February 19 from cancer. The band – best known for the earworm ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’ – reports this on their website.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Gary Brooker, singer, pianist and composer of Procol Harum,” the statement read on the website. “He was a bright shining, irreplaceable light in the music industry.” The singer died at home.
Gary Brooker had his first real musical success with The Paramounts. He formed the band in 1962 with friend and guitarist Robin Trower. In 1966 he co-founded Procol Harum with Keith Reid. With debut single ‘A Whiter Shade Of Pale’, the British group scored a number 1 hit for weeks in 1967, which still does well in the traditional year-end lists.
In addition to his work for the band, Gary Brooker was also involved in solo projects by George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. In 2003, the Briton was knighted for his charity fundraising efforts.
Brooker will soon be privately buried, according to the report on the fan site. A public memorial service for the musician will follow later. He leaves behind his wife Franky, whom he met in 1965 and whom he married in 1968. The couple had no children.
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