Procol Harum in court

Chris Gornell at Q4 Music.com • 14 November 2006

Gary Brooker and Keith Reid from sixties group Procol Harum appeared in court yesterday for a dispute over the copyright of their number one hit A Whiter Shade of Pale.

Keyboard player with the band, Matthew Fisher, has claimed that he wrote the well-known organ part in the song – which was inspired by a piece of classical music – but has not been paid royalties for it.

Until now, Brooker and Reid have been credited as the writers, and Fisher claims that they owe him £1 million, for royalties over the past 39 years.

Gary Brooker announced, "I am shocked and dismayed that after Matthew had worked with us quite happily over the course of 40 years without him once alleging that his role on A Whiter Shade of Pale was anything other than as a musician," and added, "It is only now that he claims he recalls writing part of the song."

Is he having a laugh? What shade of pale do you think Brooker and Reid will turn if they have to pay up? Have your say here!