* En anglais uniquement
Singer/songwriter/keyboardist
Gary Brooker was best known as the leader of
Procol Harum.
Brooker's first group was
the Paramounts, all of whose members turned up in the later group.
Procol Harum launched in 1967 with their biggest hit, the U.K. number one/U.S. Top Ten "A Whiter Shade of Pale," which featured
Brooker singing the lyrics of
Keith Reid over an adaptation of a
Bach cantata.
Procol Harum went on to release ten albums through 1977, then broke up.
Brooker launched a solo career with
No More Fear of Flying in 1979, followed by
Lead Me to the Water (1982) and
Echoes in the Night (1985). He also played in
Eric Clapton's backup band. In 1991,
Procol Harum re-formed for a new album,
The Prodigal Stranger.
Gary Brooker died on February 19, 2022, following a battle with cancer; he was 76 years old. ~ William Ruhlmann