Who was Gary Brooker? Aged 76, Meet his Wife Françoise Riedo, Family, Wiki, Cause of Death

Gary Brooker MBE was the founder and lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum, as well as a singer-songwriter and pianist. Brooker was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in honor of his charity work in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of 2003. 

Gary Brooker: Cause of Death

The vocalist of 1960s rock band Procol Harum, Gary Brooker, has died at the age of 76, according to his record company.

The band’s most renowned song, 1967’s A Whiter Shade of Pale, was co-written and sung by the London-born singer throughout the band’s 55-year tenure.

In 2003, he received an OBE, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honored A Whiter Shade of Pale in 2018.

Brooker died of cancer at his home on Saturday, according to a statement from the band.

He lit up any room he entered, and his kindness to a multilingual family of fans was legendary,” they wrote in a tribute.

“He was notable for his individuality, integrity, and occasionally stubborn eccentricity. His mordant wit, and appetite for the ridiculous, made him a priceless raconteur.”

Brooker has also toured with Eric Clapton and Ringo Starr, as well as performing with Sir Paul McCartney, Bill Wyman, George Harrison, the Alan Parsons Project, and a slew of other artists.

He played Argentine foreign minister Juan Atilio Bramuglia with Madonna in Alan Parker’s film adaption of Evita in 1996.

Gary’s voice and piano were the single defining constant of Procol’s 50-year international concert career,” the band said on Tuesday.

“Without any stage antics or other gimmicks he was invariably the most watchable musician in the show.

“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.”

Gary Brooker Age, Family, and Early Life

Gary Brooker was born on 29^th May 1945 in London, England. He was English by nationality and was of white ethnicity. Born in East London’s Hackney Hospital, he grew up in Hackney before moving to Middlesex with his family (Bush Hill Park and then to nearby Edmonton).

Brooker learned to play piano, cornet, and trombone from his father, Harry Brooker, who was a professional musician who played pedal steel guitar with Felix Mendelssohn’s Hawaiian Serenaders. Brooker attended Westcliff High School for Boys in Southend-on-Sea, Essex when the family moved there in 1954. When Gary’s father died of a heart attack when he was 11, his mother was forced to work to make ends meet, while Brooker took on a paper route.

Which school and college did he go to?

He went to Southend Municipal College to study zoology and botany after finishing high school but dropped out to pursue a career as a professional musician.

Gary Brooker Net Worth, How much does he earn?

Brooker has a net worth of $10 million as an English singer, composer, and musician.

Also Read: How much is Gary Antuanne Russell Net worth? Age, Wikipedia, Family, Wife, Biography

Gary Brooker Wife, What about his relationship?

Brooker married Françoise Riedo. she is a Swiss woman with whom he met in 1965, in July 1968.

The couple doesn’t have any children.

Gary Brooker Career, What was his profession?

Brooker and his guitarist friend Robin Trower formed The Paramounts in 1962. The Animals, The Spencer Davis Group, The Rolling Stones, and many more sprang from the developing 1960s British R&B movement, which included The Beatles, The Animals, The Spencer Davis Group, and many others. The Rolling Stones, in particular, were big admirers of Paramount, who gave them guest spots on a number of famous performances in the early 1960s.

Brooker, Hammond organist Matthew Fisher, and Trower were the band’s main musical influences in the early years, but as stylistic differences grew too great and Fisher and Trower left, Brooker became the clear leader until the band disbanded in 1977. He began a solo career in 1979, with the release of the album No More Fear of Flying.

Brooker joined friend and neighbor Eric Clapton’s band the same year. They released the studio album Another Ticket with Brooker in the lineup. Clapton dismissed the entire band in 1981, but he and Brooker remained strong friends after that, and they lived in the Surrey Hills for many years.

Gary Brooker honor and accomplishments

Brooker and his friend Keith Reid established Procol Harum in 1966. Procol Harum is best known for their worldwide smash “A Whiter Shade of Pale,” but Brooker’s gloomy voice and expressive, diverse piano playing were a crucial part of the band’s musical blend throughout their entire career.

Brooker has performed with Clapton on a number of one-off benefit shows over the years. On the Alan Parsons Project’s 1985 album Stereotomy, Brooker delivered lead vocals on the song “Limelight.” Brooker provided lead vocals on the song “No News from the Western Frontier,” a single from Dutch musician Ad Visser’s album Hi-Tec Heroes.

Procol Harum’s current incarnation, led by Brooker, continued to tour the world, marking its 40th anniversary in July 2007 with two days of musical celebrations at St John’s, Smith Square in London. He also performed with Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band in 1997 and 1999, and he spent several years as a member of Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings, featuring on three of their albums and touring with them.

Brooker was honored with a BASCA on October 28, 2009, for his distinctive contribution to music.

Gary fractured his skull after a fall in his hotel room in May 2012, forcing Procol Harum to cancel the rest of their shows in South Africa. Brooker’s death occurred on his 67th birthday. Along with the Moody Blues and 10cc, the band was a part of the British Invasion Tour in South Africa. They did, however, continue performing until 2019, with their farewell show in Switzerland.

Is Gary Brooker available on any social media platforms?

We searched Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites but were unable to find him. He had a social media account under a different name or he didn’t. Perhaps he was not interested in social media.

 Physical appearance of Gary Brooker’s Height, Weight

Interesting facts about Gary Brooker’s should be knows