10 - PROCOL HARUM STAR SLAMS COURT RULING

LATEST: PROCOL HARUM frontman GARY BROOKER has slammed a court's decision to hand former keyboard player MATTHEW FISHER a share of the rights to hit song WHITER SHADE OF PALE. The 61-year-old singer branded yesterday's (20DEC06) judgement "a darker shade of black" for the music industry, and believes the case could spawn numerous copyright battles between songwriters. Keyboardist Fisher won the rights to share the hit's royalties after a judge ruled his contribution to the song entitled him to shared authorship with his former band members. But Brooker says, "It's hard to believe that I've worked with somebody on and off since 1967 whilst they hid such unspoken resentment. "I'm relieved that the trial is over, but my faith in British justice is shattered. If Matthew Fisher's name ends up on my song, mine can come off! "I have to respect and acknowledge the people I write songs with. After all this time, the case should never have got to court. JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH deserves the credit for his inspiration to all musicians." Whiter Shade Of Pale - until yesterday credited to Brooker and lyricist KEITH REID - was the group's biggest chart success, selling over 10 million copies since its 1967 release.

21/12/2006 12:43