Gary Brooker, His Final Interview

[@robertbrown7408]

What a lovely and greatly talented man he was. The Commander Mr Gary Brooker never forgotten. ❤

[@genmanager8577]

Fantastic to see Gary. My wife and I and 2 friends went on the cruise specifically because Procol was going to be there and the band was fantastic. They put on two shows, one outside on the top deck and one inside the venue. Both were incredible. During the second show, Gary teased and asked me if I had just gotten divorced. I said no, and then he asked me why I was so bloody happy! I told him it was because I was there seeing them! We spoke once or twice during the cruise and met and talked to all the bandmates, and had a marvelous time. This was in Feb 2019. What a really beautiful experience it was for us. He and the band were such a huge part of my musical life and it was so unexpected to get to get up close and personal with them on the cruise. A warm and wonderful time.

[@DennySomachProductions]

Please subscribe to my channel, thx

[@JjG347]

What a good memory!!

[@soulsin97]

About two weeks ago, I bought all of Procol Harum CDs and they’re still sealed but the first four I have I have played before and I still have my still they’ll be more box set that came out in 2018! Gary Brooker will be so very missed in the music world, so much and words can’t say how I’m feeling about his passing, but I know he’s at peace and I’m grateful for that one!

[@davidmccall4776]

I'm glad that after all the costly bickering and greedy accusations, Matthew Fischer finally got his due credit for A Whiter shade of pale, for without his organ contribution it may well have never reached its rightful place as one of the greatest and most covered songs in music history. RIP Gary Brooker. ☮✌

[@gustaaf1892]

Unfortunately it happens all too often and it leaves a sour taste in my mouth that very wealthy people you admire won't always give credit where credit most certainly is due. Larry Knechtel never got any co-writing credit for Bridge over troubled waters despite writing the key third verse and the entire piano arrangement, including the key intro to the song. Mick Ronson was a key contributor to plenty of David Bowie songs. Here in Australia James Reyne of Australian Crawl cut Brad Robinson out of any credits despite Robinson's major contribution to some of their biggest hits. Robinson is now almost destitute and the other two died being very short of money. When you don't have much money, the cost of litigation can be a major disincentive to pursue a case that might be difficult to prove. There are obviously many more, but those three came straight to my mind.

[@PatMaddox-k8q]

Agree

[@hansmagnusmalcolmsen9354]

I've never seen Brooker and Fisher say a bad word about one another.

[@Frip36]

@@hansmagnusmalcolmsen9354 Well, they have. Keep covering your eyes though.

[@hansmagnusmalcolmsen9354]

​@@Frip36 How enlightening. Keep growing up though.

[@jeffreybooth5129]

wonderful to see this,I could listen to Gary all day long.Have been a devoted follower of the group since the beginning in 1967.Have all the albums and seen them 8 times (5 with orchestra).Such a shame that Gary passed away its hard to believe I won't see him again.The music though is still there to enjoy and there's a lot of it too.Thanks for posting this and I will save it on my Procol Harum list

[@fgb3126]

He was three years older than me. I'm 75 so he was 77 in 2022. That's an age perfectly in line with average longevity. So I was not surprised. I mean, I can go any time myself. That's the nature of old age.

[@Grammichal]

@@fgb3126 Gary died of cancer. I am 72… Female… Don’t give up!

[@soulsin97]

Well, my thoughts of the organist that plays on the mammoth single of whiter shade of pale… He is a good organ player, the original member of Procol Harum, and as far as royalties goes… I think Gary Brooker deserves the royalties for a whiter shade of pale, but since he’s been gone for two years, now, I think his royalties should go to his wife!! I’m still recovering from Gary Brooker’s passing because he was a great singer and he worked with incredible English musicians over the years. I have seen Gary Brooker before in 1997 in Paso Roebels in southern California at that time with Ringo Starr and his all-star band!! That incredible moment in my life, I will always treasure that till the day I pass on, and I even bought Procol Harum’s box set. The one that came out in 2018! That box set is incredible and worth the money spent on that box set! Thank you Denny… for the last interview with Gary Brooker, job, well done!

[@SuperReasonable]

An absolute genius. His voice was amazing right up to his death and his song writing way ahead of his time.

[@DennySomachProductions]

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[@fgb3126]

Not quite up to his death.

[@Grammichal]

@@fgb3126Really? 🙄

[@Luileadolfo]

Always elegant and giving his very best.

[@DavesGarden1714]

RIP Gary Brooker A Whiter Shade Of Pale song will be remembered forever

[@Grammichal]

Especially his concert with the Danish National Orchestra and Choir 2006!! His voice was richer and deeper at age 61!

[@DavesGarden1714]

@Grammichal I agree that concert was brilliant

[@leighgoldstein3119]

I never saw this...Truly miss Gary and he will always be remembered. An amazing composer.

[@DennySomachProductions]

Thx

[@jeffreybooth5129]

Totally in agreement.

[@bendewet1057]

Yes, I quite agree with you that Mathew deserves to be credited with the songwriting, as well as some Royalties, his share really made the Song Great!

[@Nudiescorner]

A King among rock singers❤️

[@petermay5488]

Missing Gary as we approach the anniversary of his untimely and sad death. My favorite band for nearly 60 years.RIP Gary.

[@AnneTerry-jb7mp]

I feel the same,saw him at the London palladium 9th October 2018,which was also my birthday.what a wonderful night ,😢❤

[@RATCLIFFE-LISTENS]

WHAT AN AMAZING CONVERSATION. GARY BROOKER A GENIUS BEYOND GENIUSES. SAME FOR KEITH REED AND MATHEW FISHER. THIS WAS SIMPLY NOT JUST ANOTHER BAND. IT WAS A GRADUATE DEGREE IN THE ART OF COMPOSITION AND PERFORMANCE. TO BEGIN: RINGO STARR WHEN ASKED THE GREATEST ROCK SONG OF THE BEATLES ERA WAS (NOT ONE OF THEIRS)BUT AFTER A MOMENT HE ASSUREDLY STATED “A WHITER SHADE OF PALE”. GARY WAS SO RESPECTED HE WAS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN EVERY CHARITY OR MEMORIAL CONCERT HOLDING A SPECIAL SPOT OF ESTEEM. KEITH REED WAS ALWAYS GIVEN HIS JUST DUE AS A LYRICIST EQUAL IN BILLING TO BAND MEMBERS.I HAVE ALWAYS FELT THAT HAPPENED BECAUSE PROCAL HARUM SONGS WERE STORIES WRITTEN BY A VERY ACCOMPLISHED AUTHOR. VERY FEW IF ANY HAD THE CHOPS TO PULL OFF “A SALTY DOG”. THE 1st LP WAS PRESENTED TO ME ALONG WITH THE FIRST PAUL BUTTERFIELD BLUES BAND LP AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE ELECTRIC FLAG. I’VE BEEN A FAN SINCE THEN AND SAW THEM IN PROB 75 AT A SF CLUB CALLED THE OLD WALDORF. IT WAS PROB A WEEK NIGHT ON A TOUR IN A SMALL CLUB. BUT YOU COULD SIMPLY NOT BELIEVE HOW GOOD THEY WERE. GARY AND KEITH. RIP

[@grahamcombs4752]

Thank you Mr. Somach for posting this. I can honestly say that I went through something like mourning when I heard of Gary Brooker's passing. His music meant that much to me for many reasons. For me he was the greatest voice to come out of England at that time. And the competition was fierce, male and female. I hope that all of his fans have listened to the Licorice John Death "Ain't Nothin' To Get Excited About LP (recorded by Chris Thomas as he began the first of five albums with the band.) Mr. Brooker "got" American music. I saw the band almost every time they came to Detroit. My one regret was missing the tour with Leo Kottke who apparently performed "Power Failure" from BROKEN BARRICADES. Again thank you. And I'm compelled to say this, fans and others need to listen to GRAND HOTEL. It is a classic album of extraordinary invention and prescient of the 1980s when I lived in New York.

[@Grammichal]

I especially love his concert with the Danish National Orchestra and Choir 2006!! His voice was richer and deeper at age 61! 1969 high school graduate here. Seattle Washington

[@robbiearamsay]

thanx for posting. great interview. great life. great music.

[@markgaines6904]

Thanks for this invaluable interview with a musical and magical composer / performer. Procol has since been my #1 all time group since purchasing the 1st LP back in 1967

[@franciscopompa3168]

Gary Brooker Gracias por todo lo que nos diste Bendiciones!!!

[@debbiegoodman4233]

I used to see Procol Harum at the Fillmore East, and they played at a club I worked at. They were always excellent. It was difficult seeing him not feeling so well, and of course it’s sad that he’s gone. Thanks for all the great music. RIP.

[@angicom1464]

It's grat, I'm a huge fan of him. When did you meet him exactly?

[@Chazthefurr]

Interesting and historic to see & hear Gary at this obviously difficult time in his life. The interview covered a lot of different points in his career and he answered with great thoughtfulness and some patience, but sympathetic as the interviewer had obvously seen the band play many times. I do not think that I would like to offer any opinion at all on the Whiter Shade of Pale authorship - Gary made it quite clear that was past history as far as he was concerned! RIP Gary and thanks for all those years you gave us - brilliant songs, great singing & playing, tremendous warmth on stage and leadership of the band. We have so any happy memories of our Commander! I have alerted the worldwide Procol family to this interview, so the number of viewings & comments will surely rise over the coming weeks. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@jeffreybooth5129]

Good to hear from another Procol Harum devotee, I concur with all you say about the late great Gary Brooker, my favourite man in music.

[@正後久-k1f]

私は、ゲイリー・ブルッカーを心から愛しています!!素晴らしい作品を遺していただき、感謝しています。インサイド・アウトサイドのライブでは、今だにびっくりさせられます。貴方を忘れようがありません!!!😊

[@thestablesmusiccentre7402]

great this, thank you!

[@antoniopalmero4063]

I remember Gary fondly , I met him while learning to fly fish at white sheet nr Wimborne, Dorset. He was a very kind , considerate and very funny man .

[@robert-ek1ns]

Gary was fantastic...his Holland concert was great

[@Grammichal]

I especially love his concert with the Danish National Orchestra and Choir 2006!! His voice was richer and deeper at age 61! 1969 high school graduate here. Seattle Washington

[@krisscanlon4051]

I'm sad because he's gone but now at 55 I am happy because he was here...I'm using this post to share my brief and sad feelings about existentialism and death...I don't have words all I know is I'm more accepting of death and Eastern beliefs particularly Asian philosophy it changed my view. I'm aware of the journey and evolution...ashes to ashes...we leave our name and deeds.

[@Grammichal]

Jesus is Lord. He created all.. He loves you. Perfect God and perfect man. Seek Him with your whole heart and He will be found. What would you have to lose? ❤❤❤

[@alejandraocaranza6120]

Wonderful. Thanks ❤

[@user-qm7nw7vd5s]

Wonderful interview. I think Salty Dog is their Sgt. Pepper. The song, Too Much Between Us, on that album, really shows this guy’s voice. Next to Jack Bruce, John Lennon and Eric Burden, Gary Brooker had the most iconic “rock” singing voices ever. As for the copyright issue, an agreement is an agreement. You can’t go back, years later after a song has become a massive hit, and rewrite history. It was obviously agreed at the time, this was a Brooker / Reid composition. Imagine if the Lennon / McCartney hit, And I Love Her, ended up in court because George Harrison decided he wanted credit for coming up with the signature intro guitar riff? That case sets a terrible precedent. It seems every day, the law is being turned on its head…

[@giovanna722]

Is that Harrison guitar intro 6 notes long? Hardly in the same category as Fisher's contribution. I can see why he wasn't given the title of composer, but Gary should have made sure he was recompensed ftom the royalties made.

[@nonnie8388]

Brilliant, absolutely brilliant ✌🏼

[@ulfhansson6599]

Thank you Gary !

[@angicom1464]

Gary is my favourite pianist ever. I love him.

[@bernarditu]

Nice interview and I was impressed with your background knowledge (hence the term 'historian' I guess! ) About the legal dispute over royalties, it's a pity these things occur. In my opinion , if the contribution is something that marks out the song , be it a riff or whatever, I think it's only fair the person should get a % . But Gary didn't want to give any details so we don't know what was going on behind the scenes.

[@soulsin97]

P.S. I made an mistake about how long he passed away. I said two years but it’s really a year ago… sorry about that one! The world will remember Gary Brooker forever!!!

[@andreaslauridsen9009]

Mathew Fischer wrote the organ lines, and he won in court.

[@patricklemeur4607]

GARY un des plus grand, uneépoque magnifique ...

[@Wayman_Simmang]

Thanks for the Interview! I am a fan of the band too! Not sure about the lawsuit outcome though.

[@lindamcgough3645]

It's so sad when bands have to fight and sue each other!😢

[@charleswinokoor6023]

I saw PH in September 1971 outside on the Boston Common sharing a bill with Savoy Brown. Back then I wasn’t a particularly big fan, but I do remember being very impressed by the guitar solos. Years later I assumed that it had been Robin Trower, but what I see online indicates that he quit a few months earlier. So maybe it was David Ball. I’m pretty sure whoever it was played a Les Paul. He got a warm, overdriven sound out of his rig.

[@avrillo]

Yes its Dave Ball, a surprisingly great guitarist.

[@warrengarfield309]

It is very hard to remove Mat Fisher's contribution from WSOP as he did play the haunting theme of the song, such a shame that it all turned to litigation between the two.

[@avrillo]

Just to add that Matt Fisher did more than play AWSOP, he contributed/wrote some of the song. Taken to law and confirmed.

[@PhukIT1865]

I hope when I am 76 my mind is still as coherent and I can remember as much as Gary did. [ Ravi shankar and tiny tim.. LOL.. funny bright guy... ]

[@lindamcgough3645]

Aaaaah The Tower Theatre! I saw a lot of great performers there!

[@petehouskeeper4196]

Amazing talent. Saw procul in ny city i think 1992 or so during the new album tour. Trower played on the album but not on the tour. I think matthew was on that tour. They were excellent. As far as Matthew getting royalties on whiter shade- i would guess he was pretty broke when he filed the suit. Without songwriting and without touring, not much money there down the road. . His playing is a huge part of the song. That said, he wasnt on the credits way back when and did nothing. . Legally unless he could prove he was a composer on it- brooker and reid could maintain they told him what to play, or directed him. That said, i think gary should have settled . He paid a million in lawyer fees, that million could have made all thr difference to matthew. But we are all just looking from the outside in…. Great interview, thanks

[@DennySomachProductions]

Thx for your comments…

[@donnieallemanni8572]

Yeah if you ever in a similar situation you can use this set of circumstances to prove your point that you should settle out of court because the only ones that win this way are the lawyers. Example no Foreigner without Lou Gramm.

[@dennymcfastlane8530]

I don't get why Fisher waited all those years to file suit? He must have been financially broke or on the brink. Anyway, thank you for the interview, i go back many moons with Brooker. *R.i.P.

[@mitchellkauffman9833]

Can someone tell me why Broken Barricades has never been re-released

[@franabreu7594]

Very good!

[@DennySomachProductions]

thx for being a listener!

[@nonnie8388]

Does anyone know if the painting behind Gary is a Katherine Ann Hartley?

[@jaimemantilla5365]

Q.E.P.D ! Genio total !!!!!!!!

[@jimmyolsenschannel6263]

I think that perhaps the interviewer could have done his "Home" work a bit better.

[@carolineniemann3687]

I agree, this interviewer is the worst.

[@PatMaddox-k8q]

Is there an interview with his wife n children?

[@michaelcrockette8694]

without the organ the song is not the same. the organist definitely deserves full credit.

[@OTOss8]

Great interview. Shame about the odd metallic sound artifacts though.

[@frankgradus9474]

thx

[@dipper888bp]

Almost that and he didn’t ask about fisher writing the keyboard part?

[@jamesdunlop3220]

Does this man really think Whiter Shade od Pale would have been anything without Gary's vocals. I hate this zero always brings up the organ action which was great but this song would have been nothing without Gary's singing.

[@predicationst405cp]

Yes, it's (AWSOP) Matthew Fisher's song - in the recording you hardly hear the piano (you might just delete all piano and won't miss it) , it's just the organ and Gary singing what is main important.

[@SirCamsmorethanalot]

Never knew why Fisher's organ was not acknowledged since it is a major component of the song and if Matthew composed that, he should get credit. No idea why Gary et al never conceded this and it went to court??? Why did Denny not address this and query Gary to try and clear this up? Did Gary write the organ part or did Matthew?

[@predicationst405cp]

@@SirCamsmorethanalot Thanks. No way Gary wrote the organ part, unless he knew Matthew very good. Matthew plays the way he plays in Signature and Repent Walpurgis. A real classical way of playing and a certain groove that only Matthew has. Te problem is over, Gary died. Matthew will die to. The music will be lost. Only music made for Jesus Christ has some chance to be sung again in heaven. Shalom to you.

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

Peace, love, and don't touch my royalties motherxxxxxx.

[@lon3don]

Surely the tune was written by JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH.

[@barneyronnie]

Exactly!

[@tool_fighter]

Well, the debated organ part, to a degree, yes. Otherwise its a Brooker/Reid original.

[@giovanna722]

The stately descending chords that loop endlessly are influenced directly by Baroque music, Bach in particular.

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

The Bach estate should sue.

[@petermay5488]

How does one appeal an appeal?

[@sjd5750]

Robin probably never did "Whisky Train" because he couldn't get Will Ferrell to play cowbell...That song might top BOC's "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" for center-stage cowbell!

[@P.DuncanMonk]

More cowbell .

[@robertriteman3227]

Robin would have dressed better

[@howlingwaters2741]

He did wait too long. Oh my! I hope the stress did not contribute to his death. This will be a trend in musical litigation moving forward.

[@tomkent4656]

Gary would have been better off settling with Fisher.

[@timothylines631]

his,an old english dream. the most wonderful punk song ever. gary was great.

[@DennySomachProductions]

Please subscribe to my channel, thx

[@robgeenumberone]

As iconic as the organ solo in A Whiter Shade of Pale is, and it IS iconic, Matthew Fisher did not write the song or the lyrics. Playing a solo that MAKES the song is not enough to be considered songwriting. We will never know how AWSOP would have succeeded without the musical interludes. However, look at The Beatles... even George Harrison's solos stood out in some of their classics yet Lennon-McCartney were considered the writers and received the royalties. Of course, if something in arranged or agreed to in advance, that is different. Look at Coldplay. Chris Martin shares the royalties with the other members even though he pretty well writes all the songs. Steely Dan incorporated many amazing guitarists in their songs with priceless solos. For example, Reeling in the Years with guitar solo by Elliott Randall. What stands out is the incredible guitar work he did (and in one take) yet no royalties go in his direction (or Denny Dias or Skunk Baxter). They go to Fagen and Becker. It's the hard truth of how publishing and songwriting works. RIP Gary Brooker.

[@sheilamacdougal4874]

Many musicians have been ripped off; doesn't make it right. Nicky Hopkins and Mick Taylor are chief among them. On the other side, Lieber and Stoller took equal credit for Ben E. King's Stand By Me basically just for adding the bass line. Royalties were worth millions.

[@tool_fighter]

Denny Laine had nothing to do with Incredible String Band, innovators in their own right.

[@aliasreco]

I dont wannatalk about it...

[@rickowl5786]

I don't think Matthew Fisher deserves a songrwriting credit. What he contributed was a instrumental organ motif/riff...he didnt contribute to the chord changes, song melody or lyrics.

[@nowhereman9463]

Lawyers are lovin this.

[@DennySomachProductions]

Thx

[@amyexner]

Oh don’t go there; Garry’s voice made the song.

[@PatMaddox-k8q]

I do believe Matthew Fisher deserve the royalties. .

[@ericvanhavelte1611]

Als je al van mening bent dat MF recht heeft op credits dan is dit ongeloofwaardig als je dit claimt decennia later.

[@railwaystationmaster]

It's really sad but right up to his death not long after this interview there clearly was still resentment towards Mathew Fischer , take away the intro to the classic and you ain't got a memory simple , repent walpurgis .

[@johnsmith-rl6pu]

if you took out the organ you'd still have a top charting song. if you took out brooker's singing you'd have very little. very similar to the eagles and hotel california with the two guitars playing their 'solo'.

[@mikebon8352]

I guess he aint got any fear of lying...anymore.. RIP.

[@bernarditu]

helloiHellorview

[@franciskowalsky7574]

Probably 50-50

[@bernarditu]

Nice in

[@RobertYoung-wm8jc]

My thought on Matthew's entitlement.... No!

[@edwardhoughton2565]

Dos it matter

[@peterlloyd5525]

BACH .music adapted