Over the past weekend, a legendary voice passed away. Sadly, I didn’t know until it came across on my Twitter feed a couple of days later. To my astonishment, the legendary Gary Brooker of Procol Harum lost his battle with cancer on Feb. 19. He was 76.
Growing up in a home of classic music full of the British Invasion, our father was an avid fan of Procol Harum. In fact, his fandom dated back to the 60’s. Formed in 1967, their remarkable hit single “A Whiter Shade Of Pale,” became their biggest hit. It even sold over 10 million copies.
For good reason too. If you were lucky to attend a Procol Harum concert featuring the exquisite pipes of Brooker, whose piano playing made him smooth, then you know how special a song it is. I am glad I got to experience two live performances with Dad at the Westbury Theater in Long Island. What an unbelievable voice. Not to mention the band which made you feel all warm and fuzzy.
There was a unique wit and charm to Brooker that the crowd identified with. He and his superb band mates made you feel good. The energy they had could be felt. To think we last saw them a couple of years ago before the chaos that followed. That feels like an eternity now. I’m grateful to my Dad for introducing me to such an overlooked great band with one tremendous lead singer, who never lost his pipes. Timeless.
I wish I hadn’t had to break the news to our father the other night. But I knew and felt it was my obligation to tell him that one of his favorite musicians from his teens had passed. I too had no idea he battled cancer. It came as a great shock. So much so that at first, I didn’t want to believe it. I actually had to Google Gary Brooker to make sure. Even though I didn’t know him, he seemed like the kind of person who would play a gag. At the two shows we saw, I noticed him cracking jokes with his dry British wit. I wish it weren’t true.
Maybe it’s the fact that I experienced this special band and understood what Procol Harum was all about. Why Dad had gone out of his way to see them so many times over the years. At least 20. That’s as diehard as it gets. They don’t need to be recognized by a biased Rock Hall. Although I find it ironic that “A Whiter Shade Of Pale” was inducted into the new singles category in 2018. A well deserved recognition long overdue.
I have a special saying about certain people who have a great impact. Legends Never Die. Legends Are Forever! That fact will never die when it comes to Gary Brooker and Procol Harum. He might be gone off to a better place now. But his music shall live on forever and ever. That’s how I feel.
You can feel that way about a friend or someone famous who you identify with. I’ve always felt that towards Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Tupac Shakur, Bob Marley and Biggie Smalls. They might not be with us anymore. But their legend never dies. It lasts for all to see and for us to pass onto the next generation. That way they can understand the kind of special music there is. There are many examples. From artists to athletes to historical figures.
I wish I could bring Gary back for one final performance for Dad and people like him to give him one more send-off. Of course, that’s not possible. This happens all the time. It happened with Michael Jackson and Prince. Two unbelievable performers i grew up watching in the 80’s. Another great decade for music. We didn’t have it so bad. The 90’s rocked too. A shame many lead singers died young. All we have left is their music. That’s forever.
As much as I love “A Whiter Shade Of Pale,” I must say my favorite from Procol Harum is “A Salty Dog.” It’s a little shorter, but the way it’s played really makes you feel like you’re part of something. It has such an eerie sound and Brooker’s voice shines through as the music sounds like something out of a ship at sea. It’s mesmerizing. A very chilling song to listen to.
If only I could find the old pictures I took. That was my IPhone. I even had a few videos. That’s truly how special they were. The fun they had on the stage can’t be duplicated. He had this unreal chemistry with his guitarist, who I must say was quite good. Geoff Whitehorn joined the newly reformed band in 2001 with bassist Matt Pegg, drummer Mark Brzezicki and Josh Phillips on the keyboard. Geoff Dunn took over on drums. They toured and provided avid fans all over the world memories that’ll last a lifetime.
Sometimes, I wonder how such longtime acts survive. In most cases, they don’t remain intact. Certainly the case for Procol Harum with original member Matthew Fisher long gone after third album, “Salty Dog.” Ditto for original bassist David Knights. Keith Reid was a lyricist who co-wrote many of the band’s songs with Gary Brooker. Somewhat interestingly, he acknowledged that the dark tone of the words he wrote for “A Whiter Shade Of Pale,” was due to his family experience with the Holocaust. Chills.
I’m always amazed how much work goes into being successful over the long haul. Not everyone is The Rolling Stones. They’re on a different planet. Just to see two of my favorite 80’s groups Tears For Fears and Duran Duran back releasing new albums is inspiring. It’s exciting to listen to their new tracks and know they still have it.
Unfortunately, this post isn’t about that. It’s about honoring a legendary voice in Gary Brooker, who lasted the test of time. A man who stayed married to the same woman for the rest of their lives since 1968. That doesn’t happen in rock and roll. Brooker was a man who looked and sounded good half a century later. He didn’t party. He couldn’t have. He was intelligent.
It’s funny. I only saw Mr. Brooker and his band twice. But I feel like I knew him. He seemed like a cool bloke you could sit down with at a bar and have a shot with. That’s pretty awesome.
I know this one is tough on our father because of his love for Gary. I can see why. I hope this tribute helps. He’s never gone. He’s always with you. Forever. 💜✨⭐
Rest easy 💔 😢 Gary Brooker (1945 – 2022) 🙏✨
HITTING BACK 