Bob McBride
Love is Forever
Bob McBride was one of the young musicians who was drawn to Yorkville in the early sixties. Several years on the road with Ronnie Hawkins and vocal lessons with Johnny Mathis helped develop his style. When he auditioned for Lighthouse he was hired on the spot.
Few singers have the vocal range that Bob possessed. He could attack a song with evangelistic fury or lovingly caress a phrase. His soaring vocals over the band's complex arrangements became a hallmark of the Lighthouse sound. Bob was an accomplished songwriter as well, penning several Lighthouse hits including Hats Off to the Stranger and Walk Me Down.
Butterfly Days, his first solo album of five, was recorded in 1972. The following year he received a Juno award for Outstanding Male Performance of the Year.
However, problems brought on by substance abuse plagued him for many years. Through he eventually stopped using drugs, his health was permanently compromised. He died of heart failure in February 1998.
Bob was a brilliant singer, a born comedian who loved to make people laugh, and a complex person with a gentle and loving spirit. He is sadly missed.
Few singers have the vocal range that Bob possessed. He could attack a song with evangelistic fury or lovingly caress a phrase. His soaring vocals over the band's complex arrangements became a hallmark of the Lighthouse sound. Bob was an accomplished songwriter as well, penning several Lighthouse hits including Hats Off to the Stranger and Walk Me Down.
Butterfly Days, his first solo album of five, was recorded in 1972. The following year he received a Juno award for Outstanding Male Performance of the Year.
However, problems brought on by substance abuse plagued him for many years. Through he eventually stopped using drugs, his health was permanently compromised. He died of heart failure in February 1998.
Bob was a brilliant singer, a born comedian who loved to make people laugh, and a complex person with a gentle and loving spirit. He is sadly missed.
You can view a video of Bob McBride singing 'Love is Forever' in 1982 at the Lighthouse 'One Fine Weekend' reunion concert at Ontario Place.
The song was never recorded and this is the only time the song was performed.
