Author of hit You the Voice dies at 76 – singer John Farnham was rushed to hospital after 12-hour cancer surgery
Legendary songwriter Keith Reid has passed away at the age of 76.
Lyricist for English rock band Procol Harum, he was also a co-writer on John Farnham’s hit You’re the Voice.
The musician’s death comes amid news that Farnham has been hospitalized with a respiratory infection.
Reed was one of the four songwriters, along with Andy Konta, Maggie Ryder and Chris Thompson, who penned the 1986 track, with Reed doing primary duty on the lyrics.
The song reached number one on the ARIA Charts and number six on the UK Singles Chart, as well as charting in the top ten in several European countries.
Legendary songwriter Keith Reid (pictured) has passed away at the age of 76. The songwriter for English rock band Procol Harum was also a co-writer on John Farnham’s hit You’re the Voice.
Procol Harum, known for the 1967 hit A Whiter Shade Of Pale, confirmed Keith’s death in a Facebook post they shared on Wednesday.
The group revealed that Keith, who is from Hertfordshire, had been receiving treatment for cancer and “passed away suddenly” in London last Thursday.
The statement read: “It is with great sadness that we must announce the death of lyricist Keith Reed, who died suddenly on March 23, 2023, in a London hospital. He has been receiving cancer treatment for the past two years.
Keith was the co-founder and lyricist of the band Procol Harum, notably writing their biggest hit A Whiter Shade of Pale, which contains some of the most obscure lyrics of all time.
He had always said that, at the end of his life, he would explain what it all meant: but unfortunately he did not have that opportunity.
Reed was one of the four songwriters, along with Andy Konta, Maggie Ryder and Chris Thompson, who penned the 1986 track, with Reed doing primary duty on the lyrics. The song reached No. 1 on the ARIA Charts and No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart. Farnham is photographed
Keith was also involved in many other ventures in entertainment, and was a co-writer of what became known as the unofficial Australian anthem “You’re the Voice”, sung by John Farnham.
His family would like to thank the many well-wishers for their kind messages. A private funeral will be held, and this page will be updated soon with details of those who wish to make a donation in his memory. We will miss Keith very much.
His family confirmed in a statement on Friday that Farnham, 73, was recovering from major surgery at a rehabilitation center before being re-admitted to hospital with a pneumonia.
“He is currently being treated for a respiratory infection in hospital, but is comfortable and receiving the best care,” the statement read.
Farnham underwent a 12-hour operation to remove a tumor at a Melbourne hospital last August, shortly after he was diagnosed with oral cancer.
It was only discovered that he had a precancerous growth in his mouth after his wife insisted that he take him to the doctor for an examination.
Farnham’s team declared at the time that he was unlikely to perform again.
The musician’s death comes amid news that Farnham has been hospitalized with a respiratory infection
