Procol Harum lyricist Keith Reid dies aged 76

Keith Reid, the lyricist for English rock band Procol Harum, has died aged 76.

The band, known for their 1967 hit A Whiter Shade Of Pale, confirmed Keith’s passing in a Facebook post they shared on Wednesday.  

The group revealed that Keith, who was from Hertfordshire, had been receiving treatment for cancer and ‘died suddenly’ in London last Thursday.

The statement read: ‘It is with the deepest sadness that we must announce the passing of the lyricist Keith Reid, who died suddenly on 23 March 2023, in hospital in London. He had been receiving cancer treatment for the past couple of years.

‘Keith was the co-founder and lyricist for the band Procol Harum, notably penning their biggest hit A Whiter Shade of Pale, which contains some of the most enigmatic lyrics of all time. 

Passing: Keith Reid, the lyricist for English rock band Procol Harum, has died aged 76

The group noted that Keith, second from right in this 1974 photo of Procol Harum, had been receiving cancer treatment ‘for the last couple of years’ and ‘died suddenly’ in London last Thursday

The band confirmed in a Facebook post they shared on Wednesday that Keith, pictured with bandmate Gary Brooker, had died

‘He always said that, at the end of his life, he would explain what it all meant: but sadly he didn’t get this opportunity.

‘Keith was also involved in numerous other projects within entertainment, and was a co-writer on what became known as the unofficial Australian anthem You’re the Voice, sung by John Farnham.

‘His family would like to thank numerous well-wishers for their very kind messages. A private funeral will be held, and this page will be updated soon with details for those who would like to make a donation in his memory.

‘Keith will be greatly missed.’

Procol Harum formed in Southend-On-Sea in 1967, with A Whiter Shade Of Pale becoming one of the few singles to have sold more than 10million copies.

Although not a performing member of the band, Keith was one of the founding members alongside singer Gary Brooker, who died in February 2022. 

The band were originally together from 1967 to 1977 before reforming more than a decade later in 1991.

Proco Harum have released 12 albums over the course of their career, the most recent being Novum in 2017. 

Although not a performing member of the band, Keith, pictured in 1972, was one of the founding members alongside singer Gary Brooker, who died in February 2022

In a statement, the band said: ‘It is with the deepest sadness that we must announce the passing of the lyricist Keith Reid, who died suddenly on 23 March 2023, in hospital in London’ 

Procol Harum were inundated with messages of condolence from their fans, with one saying of Keith: ‘Brilliant poet. His words will live on’

Co-written by Keith and Gary, A Whiter Shade Of Pale was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. 

It was also named as the most-played song in public places in the UK for the past 75 years by the BBC in 2009.

Procol Harum were inundated with messages of condolence from their fans, with one saying of Keith: ‘Brilliant poet. His words will live on.’

Another said: ‘Keith and Gary are jammin in rock’n’roll heaven today as we speak.’

A third wrote: ‘I am so sorry for the loss to his family and friends.’