Posted on 12/21/2006 9:43:41 PM PST by pissant
Rock star Gary Brooker was left A Whiter Shade Of Pale today after losing a High Court battle over the copyright of his massive worldwide hit of 1967.
Mr Justice Blackburne ruled that Matthew Fisher, who played the haunting Hammond organ parts on the Procol Harum record which sold 10 million copies, is entitled to a 40% share of the musical copyright.
Fisher, a classically-trained musician who now works as a computer programmer in Croydon, south London, had claimed a half share from Brooker.
But he was awarded the lesser amount because the judge found that although the Fisher contribution to A Whiter Shade Of Pale was “substantial”, it was not as substantial as that of the singer.
The judge also rejected Fisher’s claim for back royalties, which some sources had estimated at around £1m (€1.5m).
But the singer, who still fronts Procol Harum, faces paying a large part of a legal costs bill estimated at around £500,000 (€745,000).
Fisher claimed at a hearing last month that his solos and repeated theme were so important to the success of the song that he should get his share of the continuing royalty income.
I've only heard the full version of WSOP twice. It's like seven or ten verses long.
It was never played in full on commercial radio.
If anyone has the original, full length version, won't you PLEASE post it up???!!!!
We skipped the light fandango
turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
but the crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
as the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
the waiter brought a tray
And so it was that later
as the miller told his tale
that her face, at first just ghostly,
turned a whiter shade of pale
She said, 'There is no reason
and the truth is plain to see.'
But I wandered through my playing cards
and would not let her be
one of sixteen vestal virgins
who were leaving for the coast
and although my eyes were open
they might have just as well've been closed
She said, 'I'm home on shore leave,'
though in truth we were at sea
so I took her by the looking glass
and forced her to agree
saying, 'You must be the mermaid
who took Neptune for a ride.'
But she smiled at me so sadly
that my anger straightway died
If music be the food of love
then laughter is its queen
and likewise if behind is in front
then dirt in truth is clean
My mouth by then like cardboard
seemed to slip straight through my head
So we crash-dived straightway quickly
and attacked the ocean bed
A very surreal and evocative song.
I think I have PH's greatest hits. But there are only about 4 songs that even approached "hit" status.
That's the Top40 version.
I'm tellin' ya, there is a version out there that is much longer, with a few more verses.......
That song would have gone no where without that adapted Bach organ solo.
That may be; the part reminiscent of "Air on a G String" was certainly important, but this ruling is musical socialism. Awarding part of the composer's royalties to collaborators will have a chilling effect. To produce original music requires taking risks offset by the profit motive. Now, it won't pay as well to do that, and we consumers will be subjected to even more "safe" bilge.
Hired musicians of considerable talent contribute much to good music, but generally should be compensated according to their market value.
Might have just been a bad trip, man.
Me too.
bttt
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