Keith Reid, co-writer of John Farnham's iconic hit ‘You're the Voice’, passes away at 76
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It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the passing of a true legend in the music industry.
Keith Reid, the renowned lyricist of Procol Harum and co-writer of John Farnham's unforgettable hit 'You're the Voice', has sadly passed away at the age of 76.
While the news of his passing is certainly a cause for mourning, it is also an opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent and enduring legacy that Reid leaves behind.
With his incredible gift for words and profound insight into the human experience, he touched the hearts and souls of millions with his unforgettable lyrics.
One of Reid's most iconic works, the enigmatic lyrics of 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', has become a timeless classic that continues to captivate listeners to this day. The song's haunting melody and evocative lyrics have stood the test of time, earning it a place in the hearts of music fans around the world.
And while 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' remains Reid's most famous work, his contribution to John Farnham's 'You're the Voice' cannot be overlooked.
This unforgettable hit, with its powerful message of hope and inspiration, continues to resonate with listeners today and stands as a testament to Reid's enduring talent and impact on the music industry.
As we mourn the loss of Keith Reid, we take comfort in the fact that his incredible talent and indelible mark on the world of music will continue to inspire and move us for generations to come.
Credit: FLY Records.
The life of Keith Reid was shaped by his early experiences. Born in 1946 to a Jewish family in London, Reid was the son of a Holocaust survivor, a fact that would go on to deeply influence his work.
In 1966, Reid met Gary Brooker, the lead singer of Procol Harum, and the two began a fruitful collaboration that would lead to some of the most iconic songs of the 20th century. The duo's first single, 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', quickly became a sensation upon its release in 1967, topping the UK Singles Chart and selling over six million copies worldwide.
Despite having a non-performing role in the band, Reid became an integral part of Procol Harum's creative process, attending all their recording sessions and most of their concert performances. His insight and unique approach to lyric writing helped shape the band's distinctive sound and style.
Throughout his career, he has spoken candidly about the influence of his family's experiences during the Holocaust on his dark and introspective writing style, which remains a hallmark of his work to this day.
Despite the band's breakup in 1977, Reid and Brooker remained close and would go on to reunite for the albums The Prodigal Stranger (1991) and The Well's on Fire (2003).
For the past two years, Reid had been battling colon cancer, and despite a valiant fight, he ultimately succumbed to the disease in a London hospital on March 23.
Procol Harum confirmed the sad news in a touching statement on their Facebook page. There, the band expressed their deep sadness at the loss of their friend and collaborator, remembering him as a singular talent whose contributions to their music were immeasurable.
'His lyrics were one of a kind and helped to shape the music created by the band,' they added. 'His imaginative, surreal and multi-layered words were a joy to Procol fans, and their complexity by design was a powerful addition to the Procol Harum catalogue.'
Reid's impact on the music industry was profound, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on through his unforgettable lyrics. In particular, his work on 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' has continued to capture the imagination of music fans around the world, even decades after its release.
The song's meaning and interpretation have been the subject of endless debate and speculation, with Reid himself once suggesting that he would explain its meaning at the end of his life.
Sadly, that opportunity never came, but the enduring power of his words will continue to fascinate and inspire generations of music lovers.
As the music world mourns the loss of a true original, plans are being made for a private funeral in Reid's memory. Fans who wish to make a donation in his honour can find further details on Procol Harum's Facebook page.
Keith Reid's passing has added to the difficult year for music legends, as it follows the revelation of John Farnham's battle with mouth cancer.
In August, Farnham underwent a major surgery to remove a tumour, which required the reconstruction of part of his jaw. Despite the challenges, Farnham's children expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans across Australia, which provided comfort to their father during his recovery.
You can read the full story here.
Credit: John Farnham.
As the music world mourns the loss of Keith Reid, we can't help but wonder what other incredible lyrics he might have penned if given more time. How many of us have been moved by the beauty of 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' or the power and emotion of John Farnham's 'You're the Voice'?
Reid's words have touched the hearts of millions around the world, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on for many years to come.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Keith Reid, the renowned lyricist of Procol Harum and co-writer of John Farnham's unforgettable hit 'You're the Voice', has sadly passed away at the age of 76.
While the news of his passing is certainly a cause for mourning, it is also an opportunity to celebrate the incredible talent and enduring legacy that Reid leaves behind.
With his incredible gift for words and profound insight into the human experience, he touched the hearts and souls of millions with his unforgettable lyrics.
Legendary songwriter Keith Reid, known for co-writing John Farnham's iconic hit 'You're the Voice,' has died aged 76. Credit: Facebook/Procol Harum.
One of Reid's most iconic works, the enigmatic lyrics of 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', has become a timeless classic that continues to captivate listeners to this day. The song's haunting melody and evocative lyrics have stood the test of time, earning it a place in the hearts of music fans around the world.
And while 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' remains Reid's most famous work, his contribution to John Farnham's 'You're the Voice' cannot be overlooked.
This unforgettable hit, with its powerful message of hope and inspiration, continues to resonate with listeners today and stands as a testament to Reid's enduring talent and impact on the music industry.
As we mourn the loss of Keith Reid, we take comfort in the fact that his incredible talent and indelible mark on the world of music will continue to inspire and move us for generations to come.
Credit: FLY Records.
The life of Keith Reid was shaped by his early experiences. Born in 1946 to a Jewish family in London, Reid was the son of a Holocaust survivor, a fact that would go on to deeply influence his work.
In 1966, Reid met Gary Brooker, the lead singer of Procol Harum, and the two began a fruitful collaboration that would lead to some of the most iconic songs of the 20th century. The duo's first single, 'A Whiter Shade of Pale', quickly became a sensation upon its release in 1967, topping the UK Singles Chart and selling over six million copies worldwide.
Despite having a non-performing role in the band, Reid became an integral part of Procol Harum's creative process, attending all their recording sessions and most of their concert performances. His insight and unique approach to lyric writing helped shape the band's distinctive sound and style.
Throughout his career, he has spoken candidly about the influence of his family's experiences during the Holocaust on his dark and introspective writing style, which remains a hallmark of his work to this day.
Despite the band's breakup in 1977, Reid and Brooker remained close and would go on to reunite for the albums The Prodigal Stranger (1991) and The Well's on Fire (2003).
For the past two years, Reid had been battling colon cancer, and despite a valiant fight, he ultimately succumbed to the disease in a London hospital on March 23.
Procol Harum confirmed the sad news in a touching statement on their Facebook page. There, the band expressed their deep sadness at the loss of their friend and collaborator, remembering him as a singular talent whose contributions to their music were immeasurable.
'His lyrics were one of a kind and helped to shape the music created by the band,' they added. 'His imaginative, surreal and multi-layered words were a joy to Procol fans, and their complexity by design was a powerful addition to the Procol Harum catalogue.'
Reid's impact on the music industry was profound, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on through his unforgettable lyrics. In particular, his work on 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' has continued to capture the imagination of music fans around the world, even decades after its release.
The song's meaning and interpretation have been the subject of endless debate and speculation, with Reid himself once suggesting that he would explain its meaning at the end of his life.
Sadly, that opportunity never came, but the enduring power of his words will continue to fascinate and inspire generations of music lovers.
As the music world mourns the loss of a true original, plans are being made for a private funeral in Reid's memory. Fans who wish to make a donation in his honour can find further details on Procol Harum's Facebook page.
Keith Reid's passing has added to the difficult year for music legends, as it follows the revelation of John Farnham's battle with mouth cancer.
In August, Farnham underwent a major surgery to remove a tumour, which required the reconstruction of part of his jaw. Despite the challenges, Farnham's children expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans across Australia, which provided comfort to their father during his recovery.
You can read the full story here.
Credit: John Farnham.
As the music world mourns the loss of Keith Reid, we can't help but wonder what other incredible lyrics he might have penned if given more time. How many of us have been moved by the beauty of 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' or the power and emotion of John Farnham's 'You're the Voice'?
Reid's words have touched the hearts of millions around the world, and his legacy will undoubtedly live on for many years to come.
Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
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