Procol Harum singer wins ‘Shade of Pale’ royalties

Procol Harum singer wins ‘Shade of Pale’ royalties

LONDON — A British appeals court has awarded the lead singer of Procol Harum full royalties to the band’s iconic hit “A Whiter Shade of Pale.” Britain’s Court of Appeal ruled in singer Gary Brooker’s favor on Friday. An earlier decision by a lower court had awarded the group’s former organist 40 percent of the song’s royalties. The Court of Appeal agreed that Matthew Fisher, who contributed the haunting organ theme to the song, was entitled to co-authorship. But, the court says, he will receive no money from past or future royalties. Fisher, who left the band in 1969, is now a computer programmer living in south London. Brooker still tours with Procol Harum.

Prof wins poetry prize

NEW YORK — A poetry professor at the University of Houston has been chosen as the second winner of the Jackson Poetry Prize, an award for writers of great talent, but less fame. Tony Hoagland’s win was announced Thursday by Poets Writers Inc., a New York City-based nonprofit group for creative writers. The three-judge panel that awarded Hoagland the $50,000 prize called him a risk-taker. “He risks wild laughter in poems that are totally heartfelt, poems you want to read out loud to anyone who needs to know the score and even more so to those who think they know the score,” wrote the judges, who included the poets Philip Levine, Robert Pinsky and Ellen Bryant Voigt. Hoagland has three published volumes of poetry, “What Narcissism Means to Me,” “Donkey Gospel” and “Sweet Ruin.” The award is named for philanthropist and poet Susan Jackson and her husband, John Jackson. The first Jackson Prize was awarded last year to Elizabeth Alexander.

Today’s birthdays

Country singer Merle Haggard is 71. Actor Billy Dee Williams is 71. Actor Roy Thinnes (“The Invaders”) is 70. Actor John Ratzenberger (“Cheers”) is 61. Actress Marilu Henner (“Taxi,” “Evening Shade”) is 56. Singer-guitarist Frank Black of The Pixies is 43. Actress Ari Meyers (“Kate Ally”) is 39. Actor Paul Rudd is 39. Actor Jason Hervey (“The Wonder Years”) is 36. Bassist Markku Lappalainen of Hoobastank is 35. Actor Zach Braff (“Scrubs”) is 33. Actress Candace Cameron Bure (“Full House”) is 32.