Procol Harum singer and keyboard player Gary Brooker has died at the age of 76, his band has announced.
The psychedelic rock band is best known for the massive 1967 debut hit A Whiter Shade Of Pale, which topped the UK singles charts for six weeks.
The singer, pianist and composer had been receiving treatment for cancer before dying peacefully at home.
A statement posted on the band's official website said: "With the deepest regret we must announce the death on February 19 2022 of Gary Brooker MBE, singer, pianist and composer of Procol Harum, and a brightly-shining, irreplaceable light in the music industry.
"Aged 76, he had been receiving treatment for cancer, but died peacefully at home."
Outside of music, Brooker was awarded an MBE in the Queen of England’s Birthday Honours in 2003 for his charitable services.
Procol Harum enjoyed other hits with songs such as 1967's Homburg , Conquistador in 1972 and Pandora's Box, in 1975, the last to dent the UK top 20.
But it's A Whiter Shade of Pale that defined the band, and the song remains a much-loved classic.
Between its baroque style, Brooker's soulful vocals and some trippy lyrics ('the room was humming harder, as the ceiling flew away'), it's one of the songs that define the psychedelic period and sold more than 10 million copies.
In 1977, A Whiter Shade Of Pale was named joint winner alongside Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody as Best British Pop Single 1952–1977 at the Brit Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008.
Brooker also collaborated with many great artists including writing and singing for Eric Clapton’s band and with Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings.
He also rubbed shoulders with the Beatles as he toured as a member of Ringo’s All-Starrs, and contributed to solo projects for Paul McCartney and for George Harrison, who guested on one of Gary’s four solo albums.
According to Procol Harum’s statement, Brooker later added angling, painting, inventing and owning a pub to his other interests.
