Musicians of every stripe have been paying tribute to Gary Brooker, the 76-year-old London musician best-known for fronting Rock and Roll Hall of Fame-rs Procol Harum whose 'A Whiter Shade Of Pale' hit the top spot in the UK in May 1967 and has been continuously played on radio since. That was just the tip of the pop prog iceberg, though, with the likes of 'Homburg', 'Quite Rightly So', 'A Salty Dog' and 'Conquistador' every bit as timeless.

The news was broken by his former bandmates in an official statement:

"With the deepest regret we must announce the death on 19 February 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.

"From his earliest onstage duets with his musician father, through his youthful recording career with Southend’s The Paramounts, Gary exhibited and developed a highly-individual talent. His first single with Procol Harum, 1967’s A Whiter Shade of Pale, is widely regarded as defining ‘The Summer of Love’, yet it could scarcely have been more different from the characteristic records of that era.

"Nor was it characteristic of his own writing. Over thirteen albums Procol Harum never sought to replicate it, preferring to forge a restlessly progressive path, committed to looking forward, and making each record a ‘unique entertainment’. Gary’s voice and piano were the single defining constant of Procol’s fifty-year international concert career. Without any stage antics or other gimmicks he was invariably the most watchable musician in the show (he played several other instruments in the studio).

"Though sometimes regarded as ‘classical’, his roots were in the blues, Ray Charles and Little Richard. His voice was soulful, without vibrato, and his piano-playing robustly inventive. Blessed with hungry ears, he enjoyed and absorbed all kinds of musical styles, taking a Postmodernist’s delight in weaving unexpected threads into the fabric of his own compositions. Never prolific, he did not care to write to order, preferring to wait for inspiration to strike. His masterpiece, 1969’s A Salty Dog, derived its instantly-recognisable opening chord from a Swiss locomotive siren; yet as with all his finest pieces its harmonic structure evolves with intriguing, unpredictable logic, and carries its listeners on a thrilling emotional voyage.

"His influence far exceeds his output. Procol’s long suite, 1968’s In Held ’Twas in I, is an acknowledged inspiration to many artists, not least The Who and Queen. Procol was the first rock band to perform live with its own choral and orchestral arrangements. Entirely self-taught, Brooker’s beguiling scores bristle with melodic interest, always serving the songs and never – as with so many later imitators – treating the contrasting resources as oppositional. The last of some forty Procol gigs involving the world’s most renowned orchestras and concert-halls was at the London Palladium; its predecessor was a notable live BBC Radio presentation. It was intriguing, as Gary pointed out, how Procol Harum’s popularity, across the world, kept on growing. But music not written at the dictates of fashion has no cause to fall from favour.

"Brooker was much in demand as a collaborator: he played, wrote and sang for Eric Clapton’s band and with Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. He toured with 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. Gary played and sang at the Albert Hall in 2003’s Concert for George. He also accepted commissions – a Danish Royal Ballet score, a piece for massed brass bands in Switzerland – and sang by invitation in Sir Alan Parker’s Evita film.

"Musical celebrities from Gary’s bulging address book flocked to play at his own all-star presentations, always raising money for charity (work recognised by his 2003 MBE). He also fundraised with ‘No Stiletto Shoes’, a high-energy side-band that delivered the music of his earliest influences with raucous commitment. His last charity project raised over a million pounds for the Royal Marsden Hospital with a single concert – days before 2020’s first Covid lockdown – at London’s O2 arena.

"Gary’s charisma was by no means confined to the stage. He lit up any room he entered, and his kindness to a multilingual family of fans was legendary. He was notable for his individuality, integrity, and occasionally stubborn eccentricity. His mordant wit, and appetite for the ridiculous, made him a priceless raconteur (and his surreal inter-song banter made a fascinating contrast with the gravitas of Procol Harum’s performances).

"But for all his other interests and skills – prize-winning angler, pub-owner, lyricist, painter, inventor – he was above all a devoted and loyal husband to Franky, whom he met in 1965 and married in 1968. Our thoughts must be with her, their families and friends at this extremely sad time."

From Ringo Starr, Cat Stevens and Bonnie Tyler to Pattie Boyd, Giles Martin and the rest of the folks at Abbey Road, the tributes couldn't have been any more heartfelt with Brooker the man as cherished as Brooker the musician.

God bless Gary Brooker peace and love to the family. 😎✌️🌟❤️🎼🎹🎶☮️ pic.twitter.com/eSbYGP7tvQ

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) February 22, 2022

So saddened by the news of Gary Brooker passing. Rod and I loved him dearly and we had so many wonderful times together. Gary was top of my list when we were putting together some names for my Cocktail Podcast series last year - he was such good fun. Will miss you, Gary x pic.twitter.com/WUqc2DgWKV

— Pattie Boyd (@thepattieboyd) February 23, 2022

I’m so sad to hear the news about Gary Brooker. We’ve lost another national treasure. His music was groundbreaking…

— Steve Hackett (@HackettOfficial) February 23, 2022

Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Gary Brooker. A longstanding member of ours and Ivor winner, we had the honour of presenting Gary with a Gold Badge Award in 2009 for his immense contribution to songwriting pic.twitter.com/PyowT7RNCB

— The Ivors Academy (@IvorsAcademy) February 23, 2022

Remembering the great #GaryBrooker who sadly passed away last Saturday.

The singer, pianist and songwriter first came to Abbey Road in 1963 as a founding member of The Paramounts. Procol Harum then recorded ‘A Salty Dog’ in March 1969 and ‘Home’ in February 1970.

RIP Gary. pic.twitter.com/CqBaDzrhAF

— Abbey Road Studios (@AbbeyRoad) February 23, 2022

Here’s a special song for Gary Brooker, frontman for Procul Harum who passed away today. I’m sure many of you will agree that ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ is one of the greatest songs of our time. Part of the soundtrack of my life.

Full video on my Facebook page pic.twitter.com/cwfnmz8u4c

— Jimmy Barnes (@JimmyBarnes) February 23, 2022

Gary was a master of song. We began chart buzzing together on the same label, Deram, in 1966. Last we hooked up was at the Music for Marsden benefit concert in aid of Cancer in 2020, where he played piano on Wild World. God bless him with a brighter shade of peace#GaryBrooker pic.twitter.com/qy9rLSeM9L

— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) February 23, 2022

Farewell Gary Brooker 😢🌹 The Bruce family would like to extend our deepest condolences to Gary’s wife Frankie and all of Gary’s loved ones. Beautiful memories touring together with @ringostarrmusic All Starr band and many more as friends. RIP Gary, a true gentleman ❤ pic.twitter.com/vztyyIvqm2

— Jack Bruce (@jackbrucemusic) February 23, 2022

So sad to hear about Gary Brooker. He was a lovely guy and made incredible music that will live on forever pic.twitter.com/y8z5RJFBek

— Bonnie Tyler (@BonnieTOfficial) February 22, 2022

Rest in peace #GaryBrooker - incredible singer, writer and musician- more than that he was a lovely, lovely man. He and his wife Frankie looked after me and my sis when my parents were away. They gave so much love and warmth to us as kids, I wish I’d thanked him before he passed

— Giles Martin (@mashupmartin) February 22, 2022