Biography
Gary Brooker, MBE, is an English singer, songwriter, pianist and founder and lead singer of the rock band Procol Harum. In 1966, Brooker founded Procol Harum with his friend Keith Reid. “A Whiter Shade of Pale” is the worldwide hit for which Procol Harum is best known, but Brooker’s melancholic vocals and emotive, eclectic piano playing were a key part of Procol’s musical mix for the entire course of the band’s career. In the early years Brooker, Hammond organist Matthew Fisher and Trower were the guiding musical forces behind the band, but after disparities in style became too much and Fisher and Trower left, Brooker was the clear leader until the band broke up in 1977. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours on 14 June 2003, in recognition of his charitable services. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Brooker
Album & Cover
A decade after singing the timeless “A Whiter Shade of Pale” with Procol Harum, Gary Brooker went solo following their breakup. The first of his three solo albums, 1979’s No More Fear of Flying, was produced by George Martin of Beatles fame, whose magic touch is evident from the opening title track and lead single. Stacked with saxophones and trombones recalling Martin’s busy brass arrangement on “Good Morning Good Morning” by the Beatles, “No More Fear of Flying” builds a driving groove around Brooker’s wistful voice and electric piano.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/george-martin-20-great-non-beatles-productions-20160309/gary-brooker-no-more-fear-of-flying-1979-20160309
Cover Location:
Who Did What: Sleeve Design – Hipgnosis. Photography – Allan Ballard/A.Powell
Label: Chrysalis CHR1224
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art, The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue: Aubrey Powell
Tracklist
| Side One Savannah Pilot (No More) Fear Of Flying Get Up And Dance Give Me Something To Remember You By |
Side Two Say It Ain’t So Joe Old Manhattan Melodies Angelina Let Me In Switchboard Susan |
Credits
Backing Vocals – Claire Torry, Dave Reilly , Richard Myhill, Stephanie De Sykes
Bass – Bruce Lynch
Drums – Dave Mattacks
Engineer – Steve Nye
Guitar – Tim Renwick
Keyboards – Gary Brooker
Pedal Steel Guitar – B.J. Cole
Producer – George Martin
