Brooker grew up in the seaside resort of Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England, as did most of the other founding members of Procol Harum.
He founded The Paramounts in 1962 with his guitarist friend Robin Trower. The band gained respect within the burgeoning 1960s British R 'n' B scene, which yielded The Beatles, The Animals, The Spencer Davis Group, The Rolling Stones, and many others. The Stones, in particular, were Paramounts fans, giving them guest billing on several memorable shows in the early 1960s.
In 1966, Brooker founded Procol Harum. "A Whiter Shade of Pale" is the worldwide hit that Procol Harum is best known for, but Brooker's melancholy 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.
Brooker sang lead vocal on the Alan Parsons song "Limelight", on their 1985 album, Stereotomy.
A new incarnation of the Procol Harum, led by Brooker, and including Fisher for most of the tours from 1991 through 2003, has continued touring the world. Brooker also toured with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band in 1997 and 1999, and he was also a member of Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings for several years, appearing on three of their albums and touring with the band.
In November 2002 he was among musicians and singers participating in the George Harrison tribute concert, Concert for George, at which he took vocals on their version of "Old Brown Shoe".
Brooker died from cancer at his home on 19 February 2022, at the age of 76.
Ghost Train
Gary Brooker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're putting up the posters
The carnival's in town
Performing seals and dancing dogs
And gaily painted clowns
So ladies take your places
And wear your finest clothes
Put on your silk and laces
Spin the wheel of fortune
And lay your money down
Let fate be your decider - "faites vos jeux"
The carnival's in town
When the show is over
The empty streets are glistering in the rain
It's still the same
Riding on a ghost train
A feeling stranger than you've ever known
You're all alone.
They're putting up the posters
A wanted man's in town
They say he's armed and dangerous
And now he's gone to ground
He's livin' rough from hand to mouth
A lethal burning fuse
He know his time is running out
There's nothing left to loose
So parents find your children
And keep them safe indoors
He's killed before he'll kill again
The next one could be yours.
When the show is over
The empty streets are glistering in the rain
It's still the same
Riding on a ghost train
A feeling stranger than you've ever known
You're all alone.
Gary Brooker's song "Ghost Train" tells a story of a circus coming to town and the excitement and thrill it brings to the people. The carnival itself is described in vivid colors, with posters advertising the performances of seals, dogs, and clowns. The people are invited to take their places and wear their finest clothes, to spin the wheel of fortune and put their money down. The carnival metaphorically presents life as a game, with luck and fortune playing a big role in it. When the carnival ends, the streets are left empty and deserted, and the only thing left is the surreal feeling of riding on a ghost train, with the unknown and the feeling of isolation.
However, the song takes a darker turn when the wanted man is introduced, and the carnival becomes a scene of danger and violence. The lyrics warn the parents to keep their children inside and safe, as the wanted man is armed, dangerous, and determined to kill. The tone changes from excitement and thrill to fear and anticipation, and the ghost train becomes a metaphor for the unknown and the all-consuming fear.
Overall, the song offers a unique perspective on the duality of life and the contrast between what might seem to be exciting and fun at first glance, and the underlying danger and fear that might be lurking around the corner.
Line by Line Meaning
They're putting up the posters
The carnival is setting up and advertising their show
The carnival's in town
The circus has arrived in the town
Performing seals and dancing dogs
Animal acts are part of the circus performance
And gaily painted clowns
Clowns with bright and happy clothing are a part of the circus
So ladies take your places
Women should get ready to watch the circus
And wear your finest clothes
Wear the best clothes to the circus
Put on your silk and laces
Wear luxury clothing to the circus
Your buttons and your bows
Wear fancy accessories along with the good clothes
Spin the wheel of fortune
Take risks and try your luck
And lay your money down
Invest money in the circus for a chance at winning more
Let fate be your decider - "faites vos jeux"
Gambling at the circus is a game of chance
When the show is over
After the circus performance has ended
The empty streets are glistering in the rain
The streets are empty as the rain falls down
It's still the same
The feeling after the circus is still the same
Riding on a ghost train
The feeling of being on a ghost train ride
A feeling stranger than you've ever known
A feeling of eeriness that is new and foreign
You're all alone.
The feeling of isolation during the ghost train ride
A wanted man's in town
A criminal is on the loose in the town
They say he's armed and dangerous
Reports claim the criminal is potentially violent
And now he's gone to ground
The criminal is hiding from being caught
He's livin' rough from hand to mouth
The criminal is surviving with little means for survival
A lethal burning fuse
The potential for the criminal to cause harm is increasing
He know his time is running out
The criminal knows he will be caught eventually
There's nothing left to lose
The criminal has nothing else to risk
So parents find your children
Parents should be wary and protect their children
And keep them safe indoors
Parents should keep their children inside to ensure their protection
He's killed before he'll kill again
The criminal has a violent history and may continue to be dangerous
The next one could be yours.
Any person could be the next victim of the criminal's violent acts
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
François Arnaud
OMG BJ Wilson's drumming!!! Unmistakable, most musical drummer ever!!!
noslen954
Sir you know great drumming
Marc Moingeon
This song is what I call a lost gem, there are a few of them on Gary's third solo album... One of the few tracks that reminded us of the best hours of Procol Harum... R.I.P. B.J. Wilson and Gary Brooker.
Very nice video !! Thanks for making it !
Mitch Harrelson
This would fit right in on the Shine On Brightly album!! Great stuff!!!
Mariusz Gajda
Ghost Train jest genialne. Nastrój na wysokich tonach!!! I genialny śp. B.J. Wilson na bębnach.
Tom Rott
Genialny... !
Віктор Мазілов
Great song from his third solo album!
Márcio Osvaldo
Sensacional! 🙌👏🏼
N Z
RIP Gary Brooker MBE 1945-2022 🎵
The music lives on
Anthony O'Prey
Excellent. A brilliant LP throughout.