Procul Harum musicians in copyright tussle over classic song

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — A classic of 1960s hippydom, Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale", was at the centre of a less-than-peace-and-love tussle as former band members fought over the rights in a London court. The swirling chords of the semi-psychedelic tune echoed through the High Court as the band's original organist Matthew Fisher made his case for his fair share of the income generated by the 1967 hit.

Fisher, 60, brought the action against Gary Brooker, Procol Harum's singer, who is defending his claim to being the sole writer of the tune. Fisher wants half the copyright and earnings. "We are dealing with one of the most successful pop songs ever written by British artists. In the minds of many it defines the summer of love of 1967," said lawyer Iain Purvis, representing the...