Procol Harum Singer Gary Brooker in Serious Condition After Fall
British rockers Procol Harum have been forced to cancel the remainder of their dates in South Africa after frontman Gary Brooker injured himself. The fall came on Brooker’s 67th birthday (May 29). The band was part of the British Invasion Tour of South Africa along with the Moody Blues and 10cc.
Details on how or why Brooker fell are scarce, with a promoter only telling Times Live that the singer is healing. “Our thoughts are with Gary and the band during this difficult time,” Attie Van Wyk of Big Concerts said. “We are confident that he is receiving the very best medical attention and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
According to the fan website Beyond the Pale, the ‘Whiter Shade of Pale’ hitmakers were scheduled to play in Cape Town on May 30 and Johannesburg on June 1. They’ll open a string of American dates on July 13 in Atlantic City, N.J. It’s not clear if Brooker’s injury will affect other shows.
Brooker founded Procol Harum pin 1966, and remained the band leader until they broke up in 1977. ‘A Whiter Shade of Pale’ was by far their biggest hit, reaching No. 5 in America and No. 1 in the U.K., but they also scored a lesser hit with ‘Conquistador’ in 1972. In 1991 the group reformed, and they have toured and recorded off and on since.