Gary Brooker
Gary Brooker MBE (29 May 1945 – 19 February 2022) was an English singer, songwriter, and pianist, renowned as the founder and lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum. Born in Hackney, London, Brooker was raised in a musical family; his father was a professional musician. He learned to play piano, cornet, and trombone during his childhood. Brooker attended Westcliff High School for Boys in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, and later studied zoology and botany at Southend Municipal College before dropping out to pursue music.
In 1962, Brooker co-founded the Paramounts with Robin Trower, gaining recognition in the British R&B scene. In 1966, he established Procol Harum with Keith Reid. The band is best known for the hit "A Whiter Shade of Pale," with Brooker's melancholic vocals and piano playing being central to their sound. After key members left, Brooker became the band's leader. He launched a solo career with the album "No More Fear of Flying" in 1979 and collaborated with Eric Clapton, singing on the Alan Parsons Project's "Limelight" and Ad Visser's "No News from the Western Frontier."
Brooker continued to lead Procol Harum in various incarnations, celebrating the band's 40th anniversary in 2007. He also toured with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band and was a member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. In 1996, he organized a charity concert for his local church, releasing a live CD, "Within Our House." Brooker appeared in the film "Evita" and remained active in music until his passing in 2022.
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