Idolator

An appellate court in Britain has awarded all royalties for "Whiter Shade Of Pale" to Procol Harum singer Gary Brooker, overturning an earlier decision that gave a chunk of royalties to computer programmer Matthew Fisher. Fisher, who played the famous organ solo on "Shade Of Pale," claimed it was his idea to steal the iconic riff from Bach's crunk classic "Air On The G String," and asked for $2 million in past royalties. Despite an initial victory, the court of appeal wondered why Fisher waited until forty years after the song was recorded to say so. More »

A little more than 40 years after the first English hippies snagged a copy of "A Whiter Shade of Pale," Procol Harum organist Matthew Fisher bites his nails in anticipation of finally finding out whether he really gets to keep the songwriting credit (and 40% royalty share) a judge determined he was entitled to last year. Harum singer Gary Brooker is obviously contesting the ruling, calling bullshit on how long Fisher waited to complain about his unfair treatment. And according to Billboard, the case could be more important than a pair of sixtysomething ex-rockers tussling over the rights to a golden oldie: More »