Gary Brooker’s unmistakable voice and exquisite piano defined one of the most enduring anthems of the twentieth century.

As the frontman and co-founder of Procol Harum, Gary co-wrote “A Whiter Shade of Pale”, a song that not only soundtracked the Summer of Love in 1967 but went on to sell over 10 million copies and become the most played recording in British music history.

Fusing baroque influences with blues, soul, and rock, Brooker’s unique songwriting laid the inspirational groundwork for progressive rock, with “A Whiter Shade of Pale” often hailed as a seminal moment in pop’s evolution.

His musical sensibility, elegant, emotive, and quietly daring, set him apart as a rare talent, effortlessly able to combine classical flourishes with genuine soul.

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Gary collaborated with icons including George Harrison, Kate Bush, and Eric Clapton, earning deep respect as both a bandleader and musician.

In 2009, he was awarded an MBE for his charitable work, and the Ivors Academy Gold Badge Award in recognition of his immense contribution to British songwriting.

Gary was a true figurehead of musical integrity and innovation. His work continues to inspire a new generation of artists and songwriters who still look to “A Whiter Shade of Pale” as proof that great songs can be both sublime and eternal.