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The Associated Press recently reported that a judge awarded a 40-per-cent share in the copyright of A Whiter Shade of Pale, one of the most famous pop songs of all time, to a former organist for Pro­col Harum.

Lead singer Gary Brooker and lyricist Keith Reid always claimed credit for the hit, which became part of the soundtrack for the hippie "summer of love" of 1967.

But in his ruling, the judge decided that organist Matthew Fisher was entitled to both credit and royaIties. A Whiter Shade of Pale, famous for its cryptic lyrics ~ "we skipped the light fandango, turned cartwheels 'cross the floor" ~ topped the British charts for five weeks in 1967 and was a Top 5 hit in the U.S.

Rolling Stone magazine has ranked it 57th in a list of the 500 greatest songs of all time. Brooker says he and Reid wrote the song before Fisher joined the band in March 1967. It was released in May. Fisher, now a computer programmer, living in south London, left the band in 1969. Brooker, 61, still tours with Procol Harum.

In a statement, Brooker and Reid said Fisher's court victory created a dangerous precedent because it meant any musician who had played on any recording in the past 40 years could claim joint authorship.

"It is effectively open season on the songwriter," they said. "It will mean that unless all musicians' parts are written for them, no publisher or songwriter will be able to risk making a recording for fear of a possible claim of songwriting credit."

They intend to file an appeal.

Read more more in depth at stereophile : Procol Harum's Gary Brooker ~ writer of the ten-million-selling 1967 A Whiter Shade of Pale said, "if [his] name ends up on my song, then mine can come off."

The First Post asked: why has it taken . . . 40 years ~ he left the group in 1969 ~ to take legal action?

Albert Burger, CA

Where other jazz clubs have failed in Pittsburgh, Gullifty's in Squirrel Hill has soared with its Tuesday through Saturday night jazz sessions. The line up is extensive with local and internationally know artists. And, you can't miss the Wednesday night jam sessions with Pittsburgh's own Kenny Blake on saxophone - it's always a surprise to see the artists who jam with him! The greatest thing about all this is that there is no cover on Tuesday, Wednesdays or Thursdays, and the other days only charge a $5.00 cover.

If you haven't checked out Gullifty's jazz nights you're really missing out. This city hasn't had jazz this great or affordable since the old days at the Balcony in Shadyside. A must see and hear for jazz lovers!

Tom Schwartz.