Filters
Lighthouse on Tour
As the parameters of rock ‘n' roll blew wide open in the late 1960s, Canadian collective Lighthouse emerged from Toronto's happenin' hippie scene with a bewitching brew of rock, soul, jazz, and classical music. They gradually harnessed their improvisational finesse into a string of ebullient pop hits that remain staples on classic-rock radio to this day.
The group's genre-blurring fusion was triggered by a chance meeting on a flight in 1968 between singer/drummer Skip Prokop and keyboardist Paul Hoffert, whose differing backgrounds yielded the core elements of the Lighthouse sound. The former was a member of psych-rock combo The Paupers who'd become a session player for the likes of Janis Joplin. The latter was a classically trained multi-instrumentalist who had played in jazz combos since he was a teen and had gone on to perform with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
In 1969, Lighthouse debuted as a 13-member ensemble, with a standard rock-band formation supplemented by seasoned players from the worlds of jazz and classical (including an alto saxophonist named Howard Shore, better known today as Oscar-winning film composer for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, among many other blockbusters).
The band's freewheeling live performances made them instant favorites on the festival circuit, but with the release of their fourth album, 1971's One Fine Morning, Lighthouse became chart mainstays on both sides of the border for the next couple years. Thanks to feel-good singles like "Take It Slow (Out in the Country)" and "Sunny Days," Lighthouse helped define the bright, brass-gilded sound of early ‘70s pop alongside U.S. peers Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears.
Following Hoffert's departure in 1973, the group soldiered on, taking home Group of the Year and Album of the Year honors at the 1974 Juno Awards. Their tenure as hitmakers was effectively over, with the band petering out in 1976. However, a 1992 reunion has put the band back in action periodically throughout the subsequent decades, and despite Prokop's 2017 death from heart complications, Hoffert continues to guide the band through their 50th anniversary celebrations, ensuring more sunny days lie ahead.
Another great Lighthouse performance. Absolutely incredible musicians that have only perfected their skills over 40 years! Every kid who takes music lessons should have a chance to hear them play to appreciate how it's done.
My second date with my girl friend, in 1971, was a LIGHTHOUSE concert in Hamilton. We then saw them at least 5 more times over the years. We were celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary that week and it was only fitting that we saw LIGHTHOUSE again. The current group has been together for over 20 years, still fronted by Skip, Ralph and Paul. We had "meet & greet" tickets and the guys could not have been more gracious! Signing autographs and taking pictures. If you get the chance.....SEE LIGHTHOUSE!!!!!
I saw Lighthouse for the first time in Northern Canada just last year and they were amazing. During intermission I got to go meet Lighthouse upstairs and have drinks & some food with them. I got to chat with Skip Prokop and with Steve Kennedy the saxophonist who my mum & me know personally. I also got all the band members autograph
Lighthouse put on an excellent show, just as good as 40 years ago! Brought back so many memories.
They are if not better than before, they rocked, would and want to see them again and again......
