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.
Summer Nights
Gary Brooker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It don't seem so long ago
Since that evening last summer
like the words in a song
Looking back on the way it was
did it really happen?
You're still there in my memory
on a summer night (gimme those summer nights)
No-one else in the world at all
on such a magic night (gimme those summer nights)
A voice in the darkness
Shadows on the wall
A midsummer madness
Ooh, the thrill of it all
Everything seemed so easy then
nothing in our way
still believe she'll come back again
You and I in the sweet rain falling
on a summer night (gimme those summer nights)
no-one else in the world at all
on such a magic night (gimme those summer nights)
stopping time for a moment
lying in the full moonlight (gimme those summer nights)
like a girl on a swing
forever on an endless flight
I keep playing that old song
From so long ago
I keep watching the firelight
It sets those memories aglow
Keep it burning right to the end
Someday we'll make it back again
You and I in the sweet rain falling
On a summer night (gimme those summer nights)
No-one else in the world at all
On such a magic night (gimme those summer nights)
Stopping time for a moment
Lying in the full moonlight (gimme those summer nights)
Like a girl on a swing
Forever on an endless flight (gimme those summer nights)
(Gimme those summer nights)
(Gimme those summer nights)
(Gimme those summer nights)
(Gimme those summer nights)
Let's do it right now (gimme those summer nights)
The lyrics to Gary Brooker's song Summer Nights, capture the vivid imagery of a magical summer night shared between two lovers. The song takes the listener on a nostalgic journey as the singer reminisces on the moment shared with their love interest one summer evening. The lyrics are poetic in nature and are written in a way that evokes strong emotions and a sense of longing, as the singer wishes to relive that moment again.
The song speaks of the rainy weather, and how the lovers found themselves alone and lost in each other's embrace on such a "magic night." The lyrics are filled with romanticism, describing how "Everything seemed so easy then, nothing in our way." The memory of that summer night holds a special place in the singer's heart, and they long for the day that they will make it back there someday.
The song's lyrics are open to interpretation, and they may evoke different emotions in different listeners. However, the central theme of nostalgia and longing for that special moment is crystal clear. The song is a beautiful tribute to a time and a place that we all long to go back to, but can only relive in our memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Still I remember
I have vivid memories of the past
It don't seem so long ago
Although time has passed, it feels like it was just yesterday
Since that evening last summer
Since the night that happened last summer
Like the words in a song
Like lyrics from a song, the memories are etched in my mind
Looking back on the way it was
Reflecting on how things used to be
Did it really happen?
Questioning whether the experience was real
You're still there in my memory
The memories of you still remain with me
You and I in the sweet rain falling
We were together under the rain which made the moment even more special
On a summer night (gimme those summer nights)
On a warm, pleasant evening
No-one else in the world at all
Just the two of us, completely alone in the world
On such a magic night (gimme those summer nights)
A night so special and memorable, it felt like magic
A voice in the darkness
An unknown and mysterious voice in the darkness
Shadows on the wall
Shadows casting on the wall from the light of the moon or other sources
A midsummer madness
A period of irrational and wild excitement
Ooh, the thrill of it all
The excitement and joy of the experience
Everything seemed so easy then
Things were simpler, and challenges appeared manageable
Nothing in our way
No obstacles or barriers prevented us from being together
Still believe she'll come back again
Hopeful that you'll have the opportunity to experience that moment once more with that special person
Stopping time for a moment
The moment was so special that it felt as if time had stopped
Lying in the full moonlight (gimme those summer nights)
Lying in the moonlight, savoring the moment together
Like a girl on a swing
A reference to a carefree, easygoing life
Forever on an endless flight
A sense of momentum and movement, without any sense of stopping
I keep playing that old song
I still reminisce about the old times
From so long ago
From many years in the past
I keep watching the firelight
I stare at the fire and reminisce about past experiences
It sets those memories aglow
The fire evokes memories and makes them feel fresh and lively
Keep it burning right to the end
Keep the memories alive and cherish them always
Someday we'll make it back again
We will have the opportunity to experience such a magical moment again in the future
Let's do it right now (gimme those summer nights)
An exclamation of desire to experience that magic moment again presently
Contributed by Taylor H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.