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Organist wins Procol Harum battle Organist wins Procol Harum battle
(30 minutes later)
Matthew Fisher, a founding member of 1960s rock group Procol Harum, has won a High Court battle over who wrote their hit song A Whiter Shade of Pale.Matthew Fisher, a founding member of 1960s rock group Procol Harum, has won a High Court battle over who wrote their hit song A Whiter Shade of Pale.
Fisher went to The High Court in London to prove he wrote the distinctive organ melody in the 1967 worldwide hit. Fisher played organ on the 1967 hit and argued he wrote the distinctive organ melody. Mr Justice Blackburne ruled he was entitled to 40% of the copyright.
Fisher had wanted half but the court ruled lead singer Gary Brooker's contribution was more substantial.
Fisher's claim for back royalties - of up to £1m - was also rejected.
For almost 40 years, the song has been credited to lead singer Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid.For almost 40 years, the song has been credited to lead singer Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid.
Fisher is claiming about £1m in back royalties for the song, which has sold more than 10 million copies. Legal costs
Now a computer programmer living in Croydon, Fisher said he was inspired by classical composer Bach but said he also had "his own ideas in his head." Now a computer programmer living in Croydon, south-east London, Fisher said the organ solo was inspired by classical composer Bach but he also had "his own ideas in his head."
The 60-year-old said he made chord changes to the original Brooker sequence and added to the work with a counterpoint to the song melody.The 60-year-old said he made chord changes to the original Brooker sequence and added to the work with a counterpoint to the song melody.
Brooker defended his claim to be the sole writer of the tune, which still provides him with royalties - boosted by its recent popularity in the mobile ringtone market.
Mr Justice Blackburne, who studied both music and law at Cambridge - followed a transcribed music score during the several occasions the song was played in the High Court.Mr Justice Blackburne, who studied both music and law at Cambridge - followed a transcribed music score during the several occasions the song was played in the High Court.
Brooker defended his claim to be the sole writer of the tune, which still provides him with royalties - boosted by its recent popularity in the mobile ringtone market.
The singer, who still fronts Procol Harum, faces paying a large part of the legal costs estimated at around £500,000.