Gary Brooker and Keith Reid from sixties group Procol Harum appeared in court yesterday for a dispute over the copyright of their number one hit A Whiter Shade Of Pale.
Keyboard player with the band, Matthew Fisher, has claimed that he wrote the well-known organ part in the song – which was inspired by a piece of classical music – but has not been paid royalties for it.
Until now, Brooker and Reid have been credited as the writers, and Fisher claims that they owe him £1 million, for royalties over the past 39 years.
Gary Brooker announced, "I am shocked and dismayed that after Matthew had worked with us quite happily over the course of 40 years without him once alleging that his role on A Whiter Shade of Pale was anything other than as a musician," and added, "It is only now that he claims he recalls writing part of the song."
Is he having a laugh? What shade of pale do you think Brooker and Reid will turn if they have to pay up? Have your say here!
Posted by Chris Gornell at 06:01PM | November 14, 2006
It's a crank innit who knows who wrote what, in fact they were most likely all stoned at the time so maybe even they can't recall. Anyway the strange thing is him suddenly having an epiphany about it all these years later, hm is he skint? Be it as it may, he should leave it be out of respect for his fellow members and the sheer greatness of the song itself! cheers,
Posted by Jonk at 12:06AM | November 16, 2006
Without the Hammond organ of Matthew Fisher there wouldn't be "A Whiter Shade of Pale' as we know it. The music he composed deserves a third of royalties. Without Mr. Fishe's contribution we wouldn't even remember 'A Whiter Shade of Pale'
Posted by irondiquot at 04:59PM | November 20, 2006
I have seen Procol Harum perform dozens of times over the past 36 years. Mostly without Mr. Fisher. I have also seen Gary Brooker tour with Ringo and his All Stars. He always performs "A Whiter Shade of Pale". Sometimes without an organ accompaniment. It ALWAYS sounds the same. Brooker's haunting vocals and Reids lyrics are what make the Pale the Pale. Nothing more, nothing less.
Posted by Scott Siminofsky at 06:15PM | November 20, 2006
Oh, dear. 40 seconds or 40 years, musicians composing at that level of accomplishment remember who wrote what; there can be no mistake. The organ theme is integral to the enduring hit song. This issue of credit is longstanding, not new. A recent change in British music copyright law, according to published reports, has made it possible for Mr. Fisher to obtain legal representation on a no-win, no-fee basis and pursue his claim. If something has been wrong for 40 years, do we declare it must Stay wrong, when there is an opportunity to correct it? I am for accuracy and fairness and so I am for Matthew Fisher.
Posted by Garry Herzog at 05:03PM | November 26, 2006
aw! quit being so stingy...give Fisher his due reward. because without him and his playing talent it, A Whiter Shade, would have never been................
IMHO from this side of the pond.
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Gary Brooker and Keith Reid from sixties group Procol Harum appeared in court yesterday for a dispute over the copyright of their number one hit A Whiter Shade Of Pale.
