Yes, I remember during the Summer of '67, back in Bayville, New York, sitting outside at night trying to explain the words to "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" to my girlfriend. Well, I still don't understand what the song says, but we finally found out who (legally) wrote the song. It was Gary Brooker, lead singer and founder of Procol Harum. While much of the song is based on Johann Sebastian Bach's works including "Air on a G String," Brooker wrote the haunting organ intro. This ends a long time legal battle with Matthew Fisher, a musician who was with Procol Harum when the song was recorded. He claims that his creative influence at the time of the song's recording should make him co-writer. The song sold more than 10 million copies. At stake was about $2 million in royalties. Two years ago, Fisher won a lower court ruling which said he was co-author.
In today's ruling, the judge said that, while Fisher should be credited with co-authorship of the seminal track, the fact that it took him 38 years to take the case to court meant he should not benefit financially.
If I were the judge, I would have given the judgement to whoever could tell me what Keith Reid meant when he wrote, "...one of 16 vestal virgins who were leaving for the coast...?"
Great song!
Link to 1967 performance.
Link to 2007 live performance.
Link to a live performance with the "missing verse."
