Dave Ball obituary

Dave Ball, former guitarist with Procol Harem [sic], who has died

TRIBUTES have been paid to a musician with links to Burton after he lost his battle with cancer.

Dave Ball, who found fame with Procol Harum, settled in the town in 2010.

Mr Ball, who died aged 65, had joined the band, best known for the song A Whiter Shade of Pale, in 1971, and played on one of its most successful tracks – Conquistador.

He left in 1972 to join the Army and left the world of rock and roll behind him.

He later took on jobs in banking and computer software before, in 2000, he decided to return to his passion of making music and writing.

Dave Ball played with many bands and musicians including the Palers' Band, the name that has come to refer to a group which provided an opportunity for fans to play Procol Harum music to each other.

Lead singer of the band [ie Procol Harum, not The Palers' Band] Gary Brooker said it was sad to hear that Mr Ball had 'moved on'. He said: "As a Procolite he made a great contribution during the early 70s and the band today, with the Geoffs, Matt, Josh and Chris, have spent happy days with him whenever and wherever he came to see us, which was often.

"He was a very talented person, not just on guitar, but as a writer, artist, spy, melon picker and humorist and the contribution he gave to us and his many friends around the world will last.

"But the man and his presence will be very sadly missed."

After living around the world, he returned to the UK in 2010 and continued to write and sing.

He continued to play music live but it was in 2012 when he noticed that he might be ill. Speaking at the time, Mr Ball said: "In spring 2012 after a London gig I noticed that things started changing.

"I was going to the toilet more often. It seemed pretty obvious that something was wrong.

"I thought with luck it'd be just irritable bowel syndrome."

He was admitted to Burton's Queen Hospital, where he was told he had bowel cancer.

He battled against the disease and was in remission. However, the cancer returned and Mr Ball died in Australia on Wednesday, April 1.