Fisher wins 'Whiter Shade' court case

Organist Matthew Fisher has won his court case to be recognised as a co-writer of 'Whiter Shade Of Pale'.

The former Procol Harum star is entitled to a share of future royalties from the hit, the Law Lords have ruled.

In 2006, the High Court said that Fisher should be allowed 40% of the copyright, but the Court of Appeal overruled afterwards, arguing that he had waited too long to bring the case to court.

However, the Law Lords said at the hearing that Fisher's 38-year delay in coming to court had only benefited the song's writers.

Before yesterday's ruling, copyright was owned by singer Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid.

"This was about making sure everyone knew about my part in the authorship," said Fisher, who insisted that the case was not about money.

Baroness Hale commented: "As one of those people who do remember the '60s, I am glad that the author of that memorable organ part has at last achieved the recognition he deserves."

'Whiter Shade Of Pale' was number one in the UK for six weeks in 1967 and also peaked at number five in the US chart.