Lighthouse then....
In 1968, rock drummer Skip Prokop and jazz composer Paul Hoffert asked guitarist Ralph Cole to join them in forming a thirteen-piece rock orchestra called Lighthouse. Their explosive sound, a unique fusion of rock, jazz and classical influences, took Canada by storm. They released three albums in 1969 and began criss-crossing the country. Major cities or tiny hamlets – the reaction was always the same. Everyone wanted to see the band that was blowing everyone away. By 1970 they were touring more than three hundred days a year.
After the success of One Fine Morning in 1972 the Canadian music industry honoured Lighthouse with the first of three successive JUNO awards as ‘Band of the Year.’ Lead vocalist Bob McBride was honoured with a JUNO in 1973 as ‘Best Male Vocalist.’ The success of numerous hits such as Sunny Days, Hats Off To The Stranger, 1849, Pretty Lady and One Fine Morning resulted in the presentation of nine gold albums and Canada’s first platinum album for Lighthouse Live. As Lighthouse climbed the international charts they toured the world bringing their new sound to venues as divers as Carnegie Hall and Japan’s Expo ‘70. They were the first rock band invited to headline the Newport, Monterey and Boston Globe Jazz Festivals and along with Jimi Hendrix were the only band invited to perform a second night at the Isle of Wight Festival among groups that included The Who, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, The Doors and Chicago.
From its inception, Lighthouse created events that pushed the musical envelope. The concept of a rock orchestra was unique, involving the creation of the first electronic string quartet. The band developed projects for theatre, film, and television including an award-winning CBC performance of Prometheus Bound with renowned Shakespearean actress Irene Worth. They toured across Canada with the production of the first rock ballet, Ballet High, a collaboration with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company. Their blend of hard-driving rhythms, jazzy horn lines and soaring orchestral arrangements brought them to the attention of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and their groundbreaking collaboration in 1970 resulted in performances with principal symphony orchestras across North America.
After the success of One Fine Morning in 1972 the Canadian music industry honoured Lighthouse with the first of three successive JUNO awards as ‘Band of the Year.’ Lead vocalist Bob McBride was honoured with a JUNO in 1973 as ‘Best Male Vocalist.’ The success of numerous hits such as Sunny Days, Hats Off To The Stranger, 1849, Pretty Lady and One Fine Morning resulted in the presentation of nine gold albums and Canada’s first platinum album for Lighthouse Live. As Lighthouse climbed the international charts they toured the world bringing their new sound to venues as divers as Carnegie Hall and Japan’s Expo ‘70. They were the first rock band invited to headline the Newport, Monterey and Boston Globe Jazz Festivals and along with Jimi Hendrix were the only band invited to perform a second night at the Isle of Wight Festival among groups that included The Who, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, The Doors and Chicago.
From its inception, Lighthouse created events that pushed the musical envelope. The concept of a rock orchestra was unique, involving the creation of the first electronic string quartet. The band developed projects for theatre, film, and television including an award-winning CBC performance of Prometheus Bound with renowned Shakespearean actress Irene Worth. They toured across Canada with the production of the first rock ballet, Ballet High, a collaboration with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company. Their blend of hard-driving rhythms, jazzy horn lines and soaring orchestral arrangements brought them to the attention of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and their groundbreaking collaboration in 1970 resulted in performances with principal symphony orchestras across North America.
And now....
Since reuniting in 1992 Lighthouse have not strayed from their musical roots emphasizing virtuoso solos, tight ensemble playing, soaring vocal harmonies and a heady mix of good old rock 'n' roll. They continue to create innovative works including a multi-media collaboration with the Desrosiers Dance Theatre that toured Brazil and a reunion with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. In 1995 Lighthouse released Song of the Ages, one of the first Enhanced CDs which included a game, animated lyrics and other extras that could be played on a computer. The single Remember the Times quickly reached the top 20 charts across Canada. The second single, Fine China, continues to be one of the most requested new Lighthouse songs and consistently brings down the house!
Lighthouse has now been together for seventeen years, more than three times as long as the band formed in 1969. The ten-member group features the original founding members, Skip Prokop (drums), Paul Hoffert (keyboard and vibes) and Ralph Cole (guitar) with Doug Moore on bass, keyboardist Don Paulton and dynamic lead vocalist Dan Clancy. The all-star horn section includes original member Russ Little (trombone) as well as Steve Kennedy (tenor and soprano saxophones & flute) who performed with Lighthouse in its 1982 Ontario Place Weekend reunion concert. Outstanding musicians Simon Wallis (baritone and tenor saxophones and flute) and Chris Howells (trumpet) round out the section.
This year marks the band's fortieth anniversary and Lighthouse is celebrating with the release of 40 Years of Sunny Days, a remastered CD of classic hits paired with a new live concert DVD recorded at Q Music Studios in 5.1 Surround Sound.
Lighthouse has now been together for seventeen years, more than three times as long as the band formed in 1969. The ten-member group features the original founding members, Skip Prokop (drums), Paul Hoffert (keyboard and vibes) and Ralph Cole (guitar) with Doug Moore on bass, keyboardist Don Paulton and dynamic lead vocalist Dan Clancy. The all-star horn section includes original member Russ Little (trombone) as well as Steve Kennedy (tenor and soprano saxophones & flute) who performed with Lighthouse in its 1982 Ontario Place Weekend reunion concert. Outstanding musicians Simon Wallis (baritone and tenor saxophones and flute) and Chris Howells (trumpet) round out the section.
This year marks the band's fortieth anniversary and Lighthouse is celebrating with the release of 40 Years of Sunny Days, a remastered CD of classic hits paired with a new live concert DVD recorded at Q Music Studios in 5.1 Surround Sound.
