Lighthouse - "One Fine Morning"

One of the musical experiences I remember most vividly from growing up in the early 1970’s was the switch from listening to AM radio to FM radio. Popular music was transitioning from the “singles” format, from three minute songs primarily being composed and performed by studio musicians and designed for “top forty” airplay, to longer and more complex musical pieces written by musicians of increasingly greater compositional and technical ability. These gifted young artists wanted (and received) greater latitude in the types of songs they wanted to include on their recordings. FM was the ideal platform to hear this new music, as it provided the listener with the ability to listen to it in a high fidelity format over broadcast radio. 

One of the groups that was popular on the FM radio in Southern Ontario at the time was a band from the Toronto area named “Lighthouse”. In 1971, they released their fourth record, “One Fine Morning”. It was their most successful recording, and established them as not only an important Canadian rock music act, but an act that had considerable international appeal as well. The album's title track “One Fine Morning”, went to #2 on the Canadian charts and peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 1971. It was the beginning of a love affair between Canadian audiences (particularly in Southern Ontario) and a unique Canadian band. On the heels of the single “One Fine Morning” would follow a number of other songs that would be ubiquitous on Canadian radio such as “Hats Off (To The Stranger)”, “Take It Slow (Out In The Country)”, “Sunny Days” and “Pretty Lady”.

   

So what was about this band that seemed to strike such a chord amongst their fans? They were certainly not a typical rock and roll band. They incorporated elements of pop, classical, R&B and jazz into their songs.  While this was certainly not unheard of in rock music, Lighthouse combined these aspects of their music with commercial success, and popular appeal. They were a great live act, and always drew well. Timing, as is the case so often, was an important factor. In 1971 the band added a new singer named Bob McBride who brought his tremendous vocal talents as an addition to an already potent instrumental lineup. Lighthouse also happened to be offering a type of music that was gaining in popularity. Lighthouse had a prominent brass section (as well as strings) that was integral to its sound. Bands like Chicago and Blood, Sweat and Tears were achieving commercial success and critical acclaim with a similar formula (although of course each of these groups had their differences). Another change that occurred prior to the recording of "One Fine Morning" was that the group had signed with a new record label (GRT) and founding member drummer Skip Prokop took over most of the songwriting duties. His compositions maintained the musical intricacy the fans of the band were attracted to, but they also had commercial appeal, and most important, were “radio friendly”. It also didn’t hurt that in 1971 the “CanCon” regulations requiring radios to play Canadian recording artists were implemented. 

Listening to the album “One Fine Morning”, you can hear why the record was so successful. The subtle pop music references to groups like the Beatles can be discerned in tracks like “Little Kind Words”. The title track “One Fine Morning”, leads off side two, has an iconic introduction that is instantly recognizable once heard. The song contains all of the elements that made this version of Lighthouse so popular. It has a strong groove, and is a wonderful vehicle lead singer Bob McBride’s excellent voice. The horn section parts are outstanding and the song concludes with a memorable guitar solo. There isn’t bad track on the album, and standouts include the ballad “1849”, and the gospel flavoured “Hats Off (To The Stranger)”.

While the next couple of years would be some of the group’s best, unfortunately the band’s days were numbered. The constant touring was difficult, some of the original members decided to leave, and Bob McBride would become a victim of the dark side of the rock and roll lifestyle. Although this version of the group would call it quits in 1976, the band did reunite for a famous one-off concert in 1982. In 1992, a number of the original members decided to reunite, and Lighthouse was back on the road. While it would be fair to say the band may not have the chops they did in the heyday, they are still a great show, and having seen them twice over the past few years, I have no hesitation in saying I enjoyed their performance. If you are not familiar with them, I would encourage you to check them out. They have an excellent website, and of course there is all sorts of stuff on youtube about them. Lighthouse was an integral part of Canada’s musical landscape in the early 1970’s, and the music has had great staying power, continuing to be heard on the radio. The band continues to perform (albeit at more modest venues), and is a popular draw.