Lighthouse

Lighthouse

Lighthouse, a rock group, was formed in Toronto in 1968 by composer Paul Hoffert (b at Brooklyn, NY 22 Sept 1943) and drummer Skip Prokop. Seeking to give rock and pop repertoire the power of an orchestra, Hoffert and Prokop created a 13-piece band that included horn and string sections. Prior to its dissolution in 1974, Lighthouse recorded for the RCA, GRT and Polydor labels. Its hit singles in Canada included "Take It Slow,""You Girl,""Pretty Lady,""Hats Off (To the Stranger),""One Fine Day" and "Sunny Days"; the latter 2 songs also reached the top-40 singles chart in the US.

Group alumni include film composer Howard Shore, who composed music for the NBC-TV series Saturday Night Live and created scores for the films of David Cronenberg as well as for a number of Hollywood productions (The Silence of the Lambs, Mrs. Doubtfire, Gangs of New York). Shore won an Academy Award in 2004 for the third of his bestselling Lord of the Rings soundtracks. Among other notable ex-members are vocalist Bob McBride, who had his own successful career as a solo artist until his death in 1998, and bass guitarist Terry Wilkins, later a sideman to many Canadian performers and a member of the group Rough Trade. Paul Hoffert composed music for film and television and taught at York University while focussing on telecommunications research and development. He was appointed chairman of the Ontario Arts Council in 1995. Hoffert reformed Lighthouse in 1993 and continues to lead the group in concert performances.