Gary Brooker

Gary Brooker was the frontman and primary songwriter for Procol Harum, the band behind the 1967 single 'A Whiter Shade of Pale.' That song, with Brooker's vocals and Matthew Fisher's organ work, became one of those radio fixtures that seems to have always been there. It wasn't his only writing credit for the band; songs like 'A Salty Dog' and 'Homburg' also came from his pen.

He formed Procol Harum in 1967 with guitarist Robin Trower, bassist Dave Knights, organist Matthew Fisher, and drummer B.J. Wilson. Their sound pulled from different places, with Brooker citing early influences like Muddy Waters and Ray Charles. The band's lineup shifted over time, and there were periods when they weren't very active.

Their catalog stretched across more than a dozen albums. Beyond the famous debut, tracks like 'Conquistador' and 'Pandora's Box' showed the range of what they were doing. In later years, Brooker worked on solo material and collaborations outside the band.