TELL YOUR STORY

1/10/2010

Lighthouse has played in so many places over the years and met amazing people. When was the last time you saw the band? Just click on Comments and tell us your story....

67 Comments

Cathy Wiebe

1/10/2010 08:57:04 am

I did see Lighthouse....at the Centre of the Arts in Regina...one of the 1st shows I ever saw...my older sister took me. I have pictures from that show......I am going to see Lighthouse at the Casino this Friday......I am expecting a great show!.......you can't deny Skip Prokop!

Thomas Lovell link

4/29/2012 06:46:18 am

I remember you guys at birchmount stadium around 1968-1969 around that time line also saw you at the jazz fest woodbine you guys still sound the same as you did years ago great as always.many many thanks to Skip for that signed drum stick that was kind of you.Will you be comming back to the fest this year if not thanks for all the years of great music guys you do deserve more . All the best to each and every one in that band.

Brenda Hoffert

1/10/2010 10:02:17 am

So glad you're coming to the show Cathy. Hope to see you there.

Kevin Dandeno link

1/11/2010 10:51:05 am

Very first time hearing Lighthouse live I was on a high school band trip to Toronto. We did a band exchange with Runnymede Collegiate I think that was the school. Suite Feeling had just been released and Pinky and Grant were still in the band. I was Hooked. Next time was at the CNE as part of an all day free festival, Bob Mcbride was in the band then and One Fine Morning was a big hit. Crowbar, DR John and Mashmakhan were all on the bill. HIgh school, Sauble Beach, Beggars Banquet, Massey Hall When I think of it, I don't think I've seen one band more than Lighthouse.

Brenda Hoffert

1/11/2010 11:12:38 am

If you're going to see a lot of one band we're glad you chose Lighthouse. Thanks for your longtime support.

Jim D

1/16/2010 10:05:06 am

1970 Summer Garden, Port Dover and many more times including Massey Hall.
1849 is one of the best stories put to music ever!

Murray B link

1/16/2010 09:09:52 pm

I remember seeing Lighthouse at Summer Gardens, Port Dover, in 1972, just after the Lighthouse Live album came out. There were also 2 other bands played prior to LH that night and I forget their names, but what a night. I've seen bigger bands than LH, but this was the most memorable concert that I ever saw. Somethng about the atmosphere, and I recall that there were more people in the building than the fire code allowed, but they went ahead with the show anyhow. Great!

Mike Smith

1/16/2010 10:17:57 pm

Saw Lighthouse Jan. 2010 Regina and they knocked my socks off! Super tight band, a totally unique sound. I can only describe it as Canada's version of Chicago! I WILL NEVER MISS ANOTHER SHOW. Soulful music, jazz/fusion whatever you call it, it sent me to my happy place. Stay healthy Lighthouse and please come back soon, regards Mike

gary schreiber

1/23/2010 01:40:27 am

With age (and, I suspect, the long-term effects of substances I enjoyed in my youth), the line between dream and memory has become fuzzy. Regardless, there is a beautiful vision that comes to me(still, some 35 years later) whenever I hear Lighthouse. They were headlining a free concert in Nathan Phillips Square (Toronto city hall). It was one of those "Sunny days". Though I was not "sittin' alone in my backyard", I was sitting in the middle of a Monarch butterfly migration. The air was filled with them! That sight will forever be linked in my mind to the music I fell in love with back then. If someone who was there that day could confirm this, I'd appreciate knowing that it was not a dream. If you can confirm that it did'nt happen as I remember.....keep your mouth shut! Either way...see you at the show!!

Wayne

1/26/2010 11:58:25 am

I first saw the band live in the middle of the day in front of city hall in toronto...at least I think thta was the first time, was in the 70's anyway. Here's a story I've told a few times...Skip...do remember the time you asked me to teach your mom how to play the mandolin? lol...you saw/heard me play it I won't say where...but you came up afterward, said hi and asked me...funny.

Gerry Gray

2/2/2010 05:42:46 am

I first saw Lighthouse at their debut gig at the Rock Pile, Toronto on May 14, 1969. I seem to recall Supersession (Al Cooper/Mike Bloomfield) were supposed to be there, but they didn't show up. Skip had played/recorded with them in California just previously.

The next time I saw/listened/danced to them was at a party in the Ontario Pavilion at Expo 70. What a blast. I was an entertainer up at the Canadian Pavilion for the duration of the fair, so I can tell you for certain that the picture on the home page was not taken in the Canadian Pavilion. It was taken on a floating stage outside Expo Hall in the main festival plaza. In fact, if you look at the windows of Expo Hall behind everyone, you will see the reflection of the Tower of the Sun. Great seeing the picture and remembering the band!!

Jim Curtis

2/3/2010 12:35:28 pm

Saw Lighthouse 4 times. First in 1972 right after Live album. Absoloutly terrific. Today I'm working with Pinky who shares fond stories from pre-Bob Mcbride days. Thanks for some great music!

Fr. Jerry Gauvreau

2/7/2010 09:04:46 am

Hey Man,
The first and only time I saw Lighthouse was probably in the summer of 72. I turned 13 that summer and saw ya perform in the arena in Minden On.-Rockcliffe beer nut country!
Peace+
Fr. Jerry

Bob ford

5/21/2014 07:14:05 am

Hey jerry, I knew u before you were a father. I saw them at Peterborough Memorial Center that year with Janet and be Steve. Haha

John K....

2/9/2010 09:07:43 am

I remember standing in a body cast (after back surgery)on the floor of the Sports Complex at the University of Waterloo. Lighthouse blew me away. They became the most popular sound in residence over the next couple of years. Saw them again a year later on the same bill with Evil Knieval at the CNE. It was great to see them as good as ever in The Shwa last year. Really looking forward to the show this Saturday at the QET Toronto.

Serge' A. Di Novo

3/10/2010 08:31:12 am

Good to see another "old" photo. I'm Don DiNovo's son Serge'.

Best wishes to Lighthouse and may it continue to shine its beacon from Canada to the world!!

Kathy Elsie

7/31/2015 09:50:09 am

Serge: your great Aunt used to sew some of my dresses when I was a kid!

Firth Bateman link

5/18/2010 04:07:54 am

I don't remember when the "first time" I saw Lighthouse was; nor do I recall the "last time," either. I do recall (or at least I hope I do!) one particular occasion, however.

It was the summer following the 1969 Woodstock Music and Art Fair - 1970. Several of us had attended Woodstock and we were still very much caught up in the momentum of that memorable summer of '69! I was working part time as a sort of youth worker, out of the Etobicoke YMCA at Bloor and Islington in Etobicoke (I now live in Vancouver, but I think the old "Y" building has since been sacrificed to development pressures). A colleague (or was it the other way around? was I a colleague of his?), Rick Milsom - a transplanted American from somewhere in New York (I have no idea where to find Rick, now) - was also working with the Y, operating a drop-in centre that was located on Albion Road (somewhere; I can't recall exactly where, except for that it was "north" of Bloor Street), aptly called the Albion Road Drop-In Centre.

We decided that we wanted to put together a "festival" to continue the feel and influence of the previous summer's Woodstock. The result was the DAWN Music and Art Fair. It happened on a fine and sunny summer's day, at the base of the cliffs behind Humber College in north end Etobicoke, leading down to the Humber River. I don't know what's there now, but then it was a development free zone of trees, grass (both kinds!), birds and butterflies.

Our stage was two forty-five foot flatdeck trailers, parked end to end. The cliffs were the backdrop. Twenty-five thousand (25,000) people attended -FREE OF CHARGE! We fed twenty-five thousand (25,000) people, as well - again, FREE OF CHARGE! The free food was supplied by two groups - The Humber College Student Council (a somewhat radicalised group at the time, led by someone by the name of "John," with a rather large Afro), and by what I believe may have been the first Hare Krishna Temple located in Canada - on Beverley Street, between Dundas and Queen - where I happened to live at the time.

The lead off group, playing at noon on a beautiful day, was LIGHTHOUSE! They played for two solid hours - and again all of the entertainment was FREE! The other performing groups that I can recall were the Toronto band, Nucleus, and the Toronto Dance Theatre. The entire event was free to everyone and it was filmed in its entirety by Rogers Cablevision (or whatever they were called at the time). I have made one e-mail enquiry since with Rogers to see if the footage is stored in one of their vaults, but I have never received a reply. It would be interesting to look at.

I could go on, describing the activities that were a part of the organising of this event. Some of them were almost "events" in themselves (I recall an appearance on DJ Keith Elshaw's radio program on what was then CKFH, promoting the festival - which was memorable in itself). One of my primary memories, however, of this event was listening to Lighthouse perform "Sunny Days" in front of the twenty-five thousand attendees on a brilliant sunny afternoon - for FREE!! It is one of the memories of my life!

johnsweeney

1/11/2016 06:13:02 pm

well it was great time of my life haaa lots of fun happen in the river haaa

O.Cabirius

5/19/2010 01:11:59 am

I remember that Festival, Firth. Great crowd, great music, great time. When we were cleaning up afterwords we found a huge hunk of hash in a baggie. Being good citizens we incinerated it in smallish lumps just to make sure it was totally destroyed.
Like we were.

Firth Bateman link

5/19/2010 11:33:32 am

I'd like t' tell Fr. Jerry Gauvreau that I lived in Carnarvon, ON for a time and I had one of the original "Rockliffe Hotel Beer Nuts" t-shirts. I kept it until it finally disintegrated.

Thanks for the memory, Fr. Know where I can get another one??

O. Cabirius: I'm intrigued. What does the "O" stand for?

Don McLeod

5/20/2010 12:42:30 am

The first time a saw, or rather,
experienced Lighthouse was when my
multi-grade group of children from
a North Toronto school, was invited
downtown to do the background for:
"Peace on Earth will live forever,
if we only try; giving love to one
another, understanding and singing
together.....(the CHANT!)...."
This was, I believe, their first album
and Paul Hoffert's kid was part of the
chorus.
And regarding Firth Bateman's free
concert at Humber; I was there too
(if Firth will recall, and he will, with him and my small daughter,
all having this wonderful FREE time -
beyond food and music, there was
lots of FREE stuff; this is rare today)

Richard D......

5/20/2010 03:12:57 am

I was forwarded this site by the above super-fan Firth Bateman. I also was a great fan of Lighthouse Dates and times of shows in those days are vague---very very vague. But somehow, in my sock drawer is a glossy program to "One Fine Weekend" The Lighthouse Reunion at Ontario Place on Sept. 11&12th, 1982 (not that my socks in that drawer are that old.) Earlier, when I was a DJ at CSR, an Opportunities For Youth project radio station at the University of Calgary (circa 1973); once a show I would play "Step Out On The Sea", an incredibly uplifting tune by Lighthouse. That's my story....rbd

Daryle Hayes

7/13/2010 10:41:37 am

Friday night at Lift-Off in Cornwall was absolutely amazing! It had been a long time since I had last seen the band and I was shocked by the tight sound rolling off the stage. They are better than I have ever heard them! I am looking forward to Barry!

Rock on!

Frank Marcaccio

8/1/2010 03:41:56 am

First time I saw Lighthouse perform was at the old Palace Theatre In Hamilton. From that nite I was hooked on there music Ive seen them play many times and many different places.Last was At the Sound of Music Festival Burlington. Lighthouse should be declared a Canadian Tresure. Keep up the good work, hope to see you many more times.

Keep that timless music going.

MG Tubman

8/1/2010 05:59:19 am

The boys were in outstanding form last night at Kempenfest in Barrie, Ontario.
Played all of our favourites plus great numbers that featured solid solos...Steve Kennedy great sax, Clancy never better, Paul's solo worth the 90 km drive to Barrie on its' own. You are in for a treat when you see'em live....they are worth all efforts to get to their venue!

Daryle Hayes

8/7/2010 02:25:24 am

Yes...Kemperfest was absolutely astounding! It was even better than Cornwall. It actually shocked me to see so many men up dancing alone! I am very much looking forward to Kingston.

So...all of you reading, go get 40 Years of Sunny Days at your local record store and don't forget to pick up Paul's book!

See ya!

Peter McLean

8/20/2010 12:24:55 pm

I remember seeing Lighthouse at Miscouche High in Prince Edward Island in the early 70s. It was a great concert I enjoyed very much.

greg

8/26/2010 03:49:24 am

Jubilee Auditorium Edmonton. 1973? Huge anticipation. My friend and I both owned gold Premier drum sets because that is what Skip Prokop played. But, Bob McBride was not along due to a breakdown, Skip explained at the start. So the band launches into a huge intro (You Girl?), Skip singing. Second verse he says into the mike " No, I can't do that, I forgot the words." Band stops. I remember Ralph Cole sitting down in the middle of the stage cradling his guitar and looking at Skip as if to say "ok, now what?". Someone fed him the line, song starts again, huge intro, and the rest of the night just smoked. Saw them again in Sherwood Park last year. Sounded even better.

petergrusell

11/16/2010 09:23:47 am

Well, I don't feel too old reading some of these comments! I went on the webpage to try and figure out the date of Lighthouse's concert with the TSO. It was, by far,one of the greatest concerts I've ever been to. By that time I was already a big 'Skip' fan. That started with the Paupers when they played our 'cafeteria' at OTHS in Oakville in the late sixties. I've tried to see them any time they are close enough. The last show I got to see them was at Rock in the Park, here in London. It was just crappy weather, thunderstorms etc. Dan C. et al played through, until, damned if they didn't start 'Sunny Days' and the clouds broke and set up a great night. Memorable, especially for an 'old' Lighthouse fan. And it looks like the cycle is going to come around again, as I see from the tour schedule, they will be here in London for NYE. I'll be there for sure.

Bruce Bothwell

11/27/2010 07:37:44 pm

I just caught Lighthouse, at the Regent Theater, in Oshawa last night (November 27th, 2010), and, I have to say it brought back so many memories of my youth, I was almost in tears when they played 1849 (my favourite LH tune). Great show!! Dan Clancy's singing was spot on, and some great horn playing. Skip was rock solid on drums, and I loved Paul's vibe playing. Skip joked about being called a "fusion band"....IMO, they take no back seat whatsoever to Chicago, or Blood Sweat,and Tears, or Tower of Power.

The first time I saw LH was at the Peterborough Memorial Center. My very first "rock" concert. I used to have the poster on my wall for many years, at my old farmhouse home, till my parents died, and I sold the farm. I tried to bring it with me, but it was so brittle, it tore when I tried to peel it off the wall. Another reason to sit in my old childhood bedroom, and mourn another loss of youth.

I have a slight connection to LH personally. I worked with Todd Jollimore, Keith's son, with a band called Mama Coco. I did sound, and Todd did the lighting. I met Keith a couple of times before he passed away. Very cool dude, and great sax player. So Todd, if you read this, get in touch.

Janet Cooper

12/3/2010 12:39:58 pm

Janet Cooper

12/3/2010 12:50:19 pm

In 1982 I was one of 80 membersof a world champion drum and baton corp. I twirled flags in the colour guard and Jeff played the conga tri drums. We blew the world away with our rendition of "One Fine Morning". When we returned home from Notre Dame Univ.in Indiana from the Worlds, Jeff asked me to go to a Lighthouse concert "One Fine Weekend". I wasn't quite sure if it was a date as he told me lots of people from the corp were going. The date was Sept 11/82 a beautiful fall evening at Ontario Place. Jeff picked me up with 2 other guys from the corp (I thought there dates were meeting us there, as it turned out they were both stood up). This was the best concert I had ever been to, the performance and music were incredible. The funny thing was the 2 guys with us had matching Fighting Irish jackets and sat on either side of us and slightly behind, they looked like our bodyguards/chaperones. That night turned out to be the FINEST WEEKEND of my life. Twenty-eight years later and three kids, we have just celebrated our 25th anniversary.
At one point we did have this concert on tape but someone accidently erased it. I would love to have a copy of that concert to not only remininsce but to enjoy the specatular music and talent. We are certainly do to see Lighthouse again.

Andy S.

12/28/2010 10:34:54 am

WOW! ONE FINE EVENING! NOV.18 ,2010 ....came up from Indiana and arrived back "home" to Hamilton. My long time friend and I filled our senses with the amazing sounds of LIGHTHOUSE at Mohawk College. Skip was receiving his lifetime achievement award, and we were receiving a lifetime of memories !!

My first "experience" with the band was at the PALACE THEATRE in '71..( first concert and first date) - if that wasn't exciting enough! And, yes, Skip had to stop the show and ask the balcony fans to "temper" their uncontrolled emotion of elated/euphoric reactions that was threatening to "bring down the house" Expect any less? - LIGHTHOUSE played and the audience went wild - no myth -it really did happen. but the show went on!

Saw the band again at Ontario Place in the early 80's. Left for the states, had not heard them until the November 2010 show in Hamilton - BETTER THAN EVER ! Clancy just amazes everyone, Skip is as professional and comfortable behind the 'skins as ever.. and Hoffert.... made the keyboards enter a new dimension! NEED MORE LIGHTHOUSE.
I thought that the promotion of this event could have been a lot better , however. I did not hear much on the local radio or TV .
You cannot compare lIGHTHOUSE precisely as being like any other band, but with all the great jazz / horn players - I recall listening to groups like Mangione / Chicago. And, with those eternal lyrics and catchy tunes, you can imagine dozens of great groups from the 70's all rolled into one.
Hope they can make it to Chicago or somewhere nearby in the states in the future.. BTW , where can I find the lyrics to "LONELY HOURS" ?,- a song I've just become addicted to...

I highly recommend the new DVD/CD
"40 YEARS OF SUNNY DAYS" to everyone.. ......... enjoy as LIGHTHOUSE ROCKS ON !!

Glenn Morris

2/10/2011 06:31:44 am

I went to see Lighthouse in 1973. My High school North Park in Brantford ont. put it on at the civic center. The memories will last forever!

Beth Ann Ertel

2/26/2011 04:25:53 am

Really dating myself...my girlfriends and I saw you at the Corinett Hotel in Kitchener Ontario back late 70's! You rocked the house and now...a few years and a few wrinkles later looking forward to you still rocking the house!This 'Pretty Lady'( and Husband)are looking forward to seeing you in Parry Sound end of March 2011! Beth and Gary

Ravin Holloway

4/13/2011 07:00:04 am

Hello! while I was at university I managed to get in touch with the guitarist about his gear. I have since modified my guitar to those specs. However we are coming up to Canada to see Lighthouse live this will be a real highlight for us. It is a pity they never played here in New Zealand so we go there. This should be fun,there will be 8 of us I hope the gig we see will incorporate stuff from the RCA days as well as the GRT days.

Dave

6/16/2011 12:31:49 pm

We booked you guys to ply our hih school in Scarborough (Sir John A Macdonald) just before One Fine Morning hit the charts.

You guys did a phenomenal show.

April

6/26/2011 06:11:25 am

Love Lighthouse! Have been following since I was a teenager here in Toronto - now my daughter (20) loves them too.
Still have my old albums, some of them autographed.
Must have seen Lighthouse a couple of dozen times - most recently in Uxbridge three or four years ago, then at Q107 gig at the Polson venue & am looking forward to Canada Day down here at Woodbine Park in the beach
One of the best outdoor/summer bands to enjoy.
Rock on Lighthouse!!!

Jeff Chan link

7/2/2011 11:38:55 am

Saw my first show at the Toronto Pop Festival in 1969 at Varsity Stadium. Watched my most recent show at Woodbine Park on July 1, 2011 and have the pics to prove it at:

http://www.pbase.com/goldengaelsphotos/20110701_lighthouse

Paul

12/4/2011 03:23:34 am

I saw Lighthouse when I was 15 in Calgary in 1971. They played at the Calgary Stampede "Summertown," an area set aside for music, a coffeehouse, t-shirt stands, etc. A hippy kind of place.
I never really heard Lighthouse before that but they soon became a part of my mid-teens life. They were a staple on the jukebox at this little greasy spoon where my friends and I hung out after school; the DU-EET Cafe in Cardston, Alberta.
The music is a big part of the soundtrack of a great time in my life.

Ted Holder

12/20/2011 02:09:17 am

I am writing on behalf of Ted Holder since he has no immediate access to email. He has told me numerous stories of him playing trombone with the band and Russ Little. Being in the studio and just hanging out. Is there anyway that I could get Ted and Russ in contact? It would be an amazing reunion with such amazing memories for Ted.

Cathy Crosby

1/7/2012 04:15:56 am

My first and last time I saw Lighthouse was in 1970, in Halifax. It was a free concert to celebrate the opening of the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium at Dalhousie, and the band blew me away. Huge sound, and what I came to recognize in later years as the Canadian sound embodied by other great bands like Dr. Music, Motherlode etc. very distinctive, polished yet earthy with R&B , soul and gospel influences over a big band brass line. Coming to Halifax in 2012 - must get a ticket!

Sherry

1/8/2012 04:11:25 am

My Dad was on that tour. Robert (Clem) Lehman! =)

Alex Nielsen

1/19/2012 10:27:25 pm

Sudbury Arena, '69 or '70, we Pauper People, Ellis Island refugees, were altered eternally - Luke and the Apostles, Whiskey Howl and the ultimate headliner - Lighthouse. See you again, in Oakville on the 28th.

william De Groot

2/7/2012 08:40:07 am

Butcher from Brunson Ralph phone me at. 416 768 4437

Phil Gillies

4/16/2012 07:02:02 am

The first time I saw Lighthouse was in the Phys Ed Complex at McMaster University in 1971. It was an amazing jam-packed show. The band took the roof off the place! It was that night that several of us from North Park Collegiate in Brantford decided we had to bring Lighthouse to our city. But in '72 and '73, they were too big to put in our highschool. So in the spring of 1973 we brought Lighthouse to the Brantford Civic Centre Arena to an audience of 3500 adoring fans! It was, and I believe still may be, the biggest ticketed rock concert ever held in Brantford.

And now we're plotting away to bring the band back to Brantford. Stay tuned!

Rick Jones

5/2/2012 08:24:52 am

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, I ran a booking agency in St. Catharines called Image Artists' Representatives with my partner Ronn Metcalfe (Ronn passed away in 1969). I booked Lighthouse a couple of times (St. Catharines Collegiate) and saw the band on several occasions. I also played in a band that was called "One Lane Bridge" and later "Majority" and we did a concert with Lighthouse at the Belgian Club in Delhi just before "One Find Morning" came out.

John Richards link

5/8/2012 02:21:12 am

myself and a friend met the Band at the Sandown hotel Isle of Wight in 1970. my cousin ran the hotel opposite and new the owner of the one you were staying at, we had a really good night, one of the Band was obsessed with the portable one arm bandit, feeding sixpences into it for hours. Hendrix was also staying in same Hotel, but did'nt get to see him. 42 yrs later both of us still tell the story of meeting the Band who played at the best I.O.W,festival of all time. cheers.

John

7/26/2012 06:33:28 am

Just received an email from the ticket broker indicating the Vancouver show was cancelled by the band. Big dissapointment as I was taking my girlfriend who has never seen the band. Growing up in Toronto in the '60s I have seen the band many times and was looking forward to another great show after so many years. Any chance of a rescheduled date?

John Byland

8/14/2012 04:04:33 am

Was at Carnegie Hall when the live album was recorded, and I played it to death! Will always remember John Zacherle's introduction: "Here are some cats from Canada, and you know, we all feel pretty good about Canada...Lighthouse!"
Saw all of the music at the time, Woodstock, Stones at Madison Square Garden, The Who, numerous times, etc, but that one concert still holds a special spot in my heart. Bravo, Lighthouse!

Luke link

3/5/2013 10:17:13 pm

We’re a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You’ve done a formidable job and our whole community will be grateful to you.

adad link

3/15/2013 03:06:08 am

I have been reading your posts regularly. I need to say that you are doing a fantastic job. Please keep up the great work.

Joe White

3/27/2013 11:19:32 am

what a hoot, had the band in 1973-Stratford Northwestern Highschool, I co signed the cheque that night and have never forgotten. Outstanding performance including percussion. I was Student Pres. and thrilled to have packed the gym. Well done guys ! cheers

Neil Everest link

11/6/2013 11:15:28 pm

My father Charles Everest (now 84 and unfortunately not in the best of health) saw Lighthouse performing at the great 1970 Isle of Wight Festival - sadly I was just too young to attend with him.
He witnessed at close hand, and photographed both of Lighthouses performances from on and off stage - a few of those photographs are available to view on our website CameronLife.co.uk and in our touring exhibition "The CameronLife Festival Experience".
There are additional photographs of Lighthouse in our archive which eventually will be uploaded for viewing once digitized and restored.
A personal observation is that it is a testament to the musicians of the time that so many who performed at Isle of Wight 1970 have shown such longevity and are still performing 40+ years on - I wonder how many of today's will be just a flash in the pan!

Rich Langner

3/8/2014 02:10:59 am

I was a student of St. Micheal's Choir school from '65 to '73. Being in a school so influenced by music, we had a band that played to pick up extra $$ on the weekends. This was an incredible time as far as music was concerned, especially in Toronto. Toronto is a city that has always enjoyed a rich diversity of talent. Dominic Triano, Rough Trade, Crowbar, & many other greats... Lighthouse was on the cutting edge. I had the honor of seeing this incredible band on 3 different occasions. Since the '60's & 70's are a bit of a blur now, I don't remember the timeline of these gigs. ALL of them stand as great moments in this bands history. @ the capitol, Nathan Phillips Square... We ditched school to see this fantastic free concert. We got to stand right up, close & personal with Bob McBride, Ralph Cole, Skip Procop, & the rest. Massey Hall, is where our choir would preform on a annual basis (still does). Fantastic acoustics in this old building made for a memorable experience. & finally, Ontario Place, where the band was really hitting there stride.

I was devastated to learn of the passing of Bob McBride. Lighthouse lost their voice as so many bands have suffered with the loss of a key member.

It's good to see that the Lighthouse music is still being enjoyed by new & old generations. From the wonderful melodies & easy listing music, great pop songs to the pounding rockin' sound of 1 Fine Morning. When Ralph Cole opens with that jangling guitar riff, & then the horns come in, I get chills to this day!

Rock on guys! Lighthouse is a legacy that will never die... My only hope is that I get to see 1 more concert... someday...

Mark Grabowski

7/2/2014 03:36:07 am

The first time I saw lighthouse was early 70's, University of Waterloo, believe it was with Joe Cocker,

rich from roxborough, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, PA, USA link

8/19/2014 11:00:58 am

..only saw them live once, in Atlantic City, NJ in 1969....have loved their music since then...swapped e-mails with Brenda, totally hissed about the copyright BS, you should be able to release your entire library on CD for us old folks that won't ever forget, or stop listening....thanks for it all....

Catharine

11/7/2014 10:21:51 am

The first and only time I saw Lighthouse was in 1969 at the Toronto Pop Festival. I was very impressed with the set and purchased the first album (Lighthouse) as soon as I could. Best cover of Eight Miles High!

Kathy

1/22/2015 08:50:57 am

I remember Lighthouse both at the Rockpile, and they played at the Toronto Islands for George Brown College's end of year picnic, 1970.

Lee Marshall

5/8/2015 09:26:14 am

I was there at the Rockpile for SHOW ONE...with Grant and Pinky on board. Went to Richview Collegiate and was part of the little 'opportunities for youth' company called Magic Bus which presented Lighthouse not only at RCI several times but also at Massey Hall for the first 'Poor People's Concert'. Lighthouse, Crowbar and Manchild for $1.99. That's right a buck 99. I'd MC the shows.

Went on the a career in radio and TV. Did v/os at the little downtown recording studio Ralph was connected with. Still playing Lighthouse on the radio. Thanks for ALL of the great memories fellas. Paul...Skip [Paupers too]...Ralph...Russ...Steve...[Dr Music and Motherlode too]...it's been quite the ride. All the best to you and the rest of the gang.

Lee.

M Render Tulsa Oklahoma

8/27/2016 06:43:37 pm

I lived in Port Credit ON from 1967-1970 and loved Lighthouse. Last week I pulled out a Suite Feeling album to play for my daughter and son in law who live in Austin TX. Then I found your website.

Not just one of the best bands from Canada… one of the best period.

Ken & Teresa Dawson link

8/4/2017 03:20:21 pm

So thankful for the amazing talent of lighthouse through the years, from the 70's to now, what a truly gifted group, got me through some really tough times, once again, thank you......kenny...

KEN REEVES

3/25/2019 10:46:06 am

Back in 71 72 heading home from school in Trail BC I heard some loud sounds from the arena, so I went to look. a band was setting up for a concert that night I found out who it was so I hung around for a bit. after about two hours I overheard the workers that a light operator was required because the one there had to leave on family business. I stepped up and asked what kind of operator do you need? It was explained to me what was required, I said I can do that. So I ended up working that gig that night as a light op and they asked me If I could go on tour that summer. hell yeah I said being only 17 at the time it was my first of many tours in my life, roadie, stage teck, drum teck, lighting I did it all. Skip Prokop and I became cool friends as they liked the way I operated the lights. I just found out they were here in Vancouver and I missed the shows so im planning to go to Toronto and see them there

Kathy Fullerton

10/9/2019 12:02:36 pm

Hi; I was a huge Lighthouse fan from the age of 14 yrs old before I met (LOL a few years later) and married Grant! We have parted ways but remain on good terms and share our son Cole (who I was pregnant with when Grant played a telethon with the band and everyone met at your house) a grandson and 1 more on the way! The last time I saw the band was the Toronto/Yorkville revival which was held at the Government. I am so looking forward to seeing the bank tomorrow night in Peterborough, hope to see you there Brenda! All the Best, Kathy Fullerton

Monty link

12/18/2020 11:01:19 pm

Thaank you for being you

Anthony Lee link

11/3/2022 11:20:17 am

Piece third person. Writer although chance.
Evening travel include be name head.
Commercial pull executive energy college down. Class explain system seem.

Brenda Hoffert

I have a long-standing relationship with Lighthouse. I'm married to Paul so I was around for the very first rehearsal (in our garage!!); I'm a song-writer & have collaborated with Paul on some LH songs (Never Say Goodbye, Fly My Airplane & Lonely Places); I'm a writer & producer and have been involved in that capacity on various LH projects (One Fine Weekend, The Best of Lighthouse/Sunny Days Again, Song of the Ages, 40 Years of Sunny Days and a new project we're just getting off the ground - One Fine Story); I've been exhibiting extensively as a fine art photographer since 2005 (www.brendahoffert.com) and have taken most of the new shots of the band that are on the site; I've been the band's manager since LH reunited in 1992. Though I was just going to do it for a while it became an addiction 'cause most of all - I'm Lighthouse's biggest fan!!

BLOG

TELL YOUR STORY

Leave a Reply.

Categories

Brenda Hoffert