I've always loved this Lighthouse song and thought it would make a great theme for an epic western movie. But alas, that never happened. This is as close as I ever got.
My dad used to own the Sauble Beach Pavilion on Lake Huron, and Lighthouse played there during their golden period (right around the time of the live album at Carnegie Hall). I remember being 14 years old and meeting Bob McBride and Howie and the others. They were a truly amazing band, and at their best they wrote as good as anyone, anywhere. I miss them.
This song will always have a place in my heart!... this generation will never know the sacrifices and heartbreak suffered by those that made this country a promised land,... God Bless America!.
i saw these guys in Whitby Ontario, last summer and they sounded just as good as back in the day, one of the best Canadian bands of all time, and this is one of the best songs ever written.
My 4TH grade teacher (Mr. Hynes) played this song in class quite a few times, he even gave us a pop quiz on the lyric content, that was back in the 1973-74 school year. I haven't heard this song in 34 years, thanks for the post.
Such an excellent song. Every time I hear it I think of the incredible people that opened up Canada and the United States. The unbelieveable hardships they must have endured wow. Here's to some of the toughest and bravest people that ever walked the earth.
Whoever the sound engineer was recorded this did a really good job -- it's hard to tell this live version from the studio version which is not always the case
I grew up in Southern Ont, and this Band was top 5 in terms of Radio and 1'st Accessability, Frequent gigs at "the Lighthouse" in Port Dover Ont, on the north Coast of Lake Erie are THE stuff of (local) legend-keen listener as a child I listened to their "lighthouse Live" Album countless times. Am a Musician largly cause of music like this, + Fleetwood Mac.Procop interview a few yrs ago-Mcbride walked away from "the rec-deal" in washington dc and the Band ends.Bob fought heroin in Ott till d
Hey, thanks for the comment. Just when I thought no one was paying attention to this video.... Unfortunately, not many people today remember Lighthouse. They really did rock. They came from a time when you could be experimental and STILL be popular. Ah well!
Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed this video. They really were one of the great Canadian Bands. Not many seem to remember them now though. I especially always loved this song. I still get chills in the intro when the horns kick in. I can just picture the wagon trains slogging their way across the burning desert. .
Ah Man........... Can't even get thru the opening Acoustic part without the tears falling...... Don't know what it is about this song........... Guess I love it that much..... Saw them a number of years ago in St. Albert, AB and yes they were as goo then as they were when they started. Even got the DVD of them redoing all the great songs and comentaries as well..... Love it!
One of my cherished 1960s concerts was the debut of Lighthouse at the Rock Pile in Toronto in April 1969. I had been a huge fan of Skip from the Paupers years.
@KillerKratos8 Hey. I agree, these guys were iconic. In the early 70s, I think they defined not just Canadian Music, but Canadian Culture as well. Big, Broad, Passionate, Innovative, Honest, Fun Loving, Intelligent, Down to Earth... and just a little out side of the mainstream. I often wonder what would have happened if they played Woodstock instead of Isle of Wright that year.
this song floored me as a teen, back when it came out. lol, i played it over and over again... i always thought they were a great band and would be a part of the soundtrack of my life. truly, they were "sunny days". thank you for sharing this one :)
Believe that SKIP PROKOP wrote this about the Mormon Church's expedition with Joseph Smith from St. Louis that eventually settled in the West... BEAUTIFUL SONG from a Very GIFTED Band from Toronto. Thank You for Sharing THIS
@70sfusion Every now and then you could catch Skip on a toronto radio station but no longer. I caught up with him on Young st a few years back. We chatted for a bit. I was very happy to be able to thank him. For all the bands great work. They were a big part of the 70's that I grew up in.P.S. I know the Byrds did 8 miles high first but these guys did it best.
Great song by a great band! Thanks for posting. I always loved this song even though it brings other connotations to mind about manifest destiny and the stealing of a continent. Nice pics.
@70sfusion hi...Steve from Boston..Always loved this band (bob McBride solo stuff as well)..Love the Western theme..One of my favorite L H songs, along with 'White Buffalo'..
Never heard this on the radio. Had an 8 track with it on it and dreally thought it had a greater story to tell than the other songs on the 8 track. That was in my first new car, a 71 camaro just before my tour in SE Asia. Great story of suffering and challenge.
Yes, the double live LP is by far their best stuff, a real classic album. It's on CD now and it's been remastered. " 8 Miles High" has been extended with some solos that don't appear o the vinyl version. It's really worth the the purchase.
dispatches67. You're right about this song not describing Canadian heritage. This is a decidedly American story. I'm not sure how much air-play it ever received in the States, But if Lighthouse was able to sell out Carnage hall in 1972, I'm sure a few Americans knew of them and probably of this song. Even though this song is about an American experience, it is an inspirational bit of work by a great group of Canadian boys. It guess that kind of thing transcends boarders.
I am American and I always was a big fan of Lighthouse ever since I first heard them in the 70`s. Pretty Lady is one of my all time favorites! I thought they were as good or better than the other horn bands of their time. Their song`s are still played on some radio stations here. Americans of my generation are very familiar with Lighthouse.
8 track, boy we're dating our self. FYI, I had the 8 track too. It lived in my car and went everywhere with me. I agree, I think I like this song better than One Fine Morning as well. It's such a powerful/epic piece. It really shows off the depth of the band, especially in this live version. I also love the guitar work. Ralph Cole was not an "explosive" guitar player but he could sure convey emotion in his playing. Glad you like the song.
I don't recall ever hearing it here in the US, but I bought the 8 track (!) & when I heard this, I liked it better than One Fine Morning as it told a great story. And I loved the mellow guitar work.
This is a song of hope for social justice for me. The harsh unfair law may break me but I'm fighting to never let it break my hope for a better life for me and closest to me
Sadly, this incarnation of the band only did one more album (Sunny Days)after the live album this was taken from. Bob McBride, the lead singer, left the band shortly there after. After that, the band slowly dissolved. Unfortunately, there wasn't much money to be had splitting the take from a gig 10 to 12 ways. However, the boys got together again in 1982 for "One Fine Weekend" in Toronto. In the early 90s, They started performing together again until Bob passed away. They still play sometimes.
What a great history lesson! Read Two Years Before the Mast and Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi to get a real look at life in the 1800's! Also listen to Steppenwolf's Monster and The Band's Acadian Driftwood, they are perfect too!
MY 2 FAVORITE LIGHTHOUSE SONGS R - 1849 AND CHEST FEVER + A TON OF THE REST. I FOLLOWED LIGHTHOUSE ALL OVER ONTARIO. HAHAHAHAHA - I REMEMBER IN 1971 OR 72 SEEING LIGHTHOUSE AT DEERHURST RESORT NEAR HUNTSVILLE. I NEVER USED AFTERSHAVE, BUT HOLY FEEEUCK, THE SMELL OF HAI KARATE IN THAT JOINT THAT NIGHT - MAJOR YUCKAROO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My dad used to own the Sauble Beach Pavilion on Lake Huron, and Lighthouse played there during their golden period (right around the time of the live album at Carnegie Hall). I remember being 14 years old and meeting Bob McBride and Howie and the others. They were a truly amazing band, and at their best they wrote as good as anyone, anywhere. I miss them.
They're a buncha dead-asses now.
Just came back from there..had a wonderful time
Saw them play last night. They are touring to celebrate 50 years together. They were amazing.
lucky!!!!!!
This song will always have a place in my heart!... this generation will never know the sacrifices and heartbreak suffered by those that made this country a promised land,... God Bless America!.
Perhaps one of the best songs of all time.
This song truly sends chills through me.
Well done Lighthouse!
Canada has been blessed with so many great bands .. this is one of them ... thank you Lighthouse.
i saw these guys in Whitby Ontario, last summer and they sounded just as good as back in the day, one of the best Canadian bands of all time, and this is one of the best songs ever written.
Saw them at the CNE on summer in the 70's... was my first rock concert... you NEVER EVER forget your first rock concert!...lol
I agree with you completely. I always get chills when the horns first kick in. Such a powerful song and epic story.
My 4TH grade teacher (Mr. Hynes) played this song in class quite a few times, he even gave us a pop quiz on the lyric content, that was back in the 1973-74 school year. I haven't heard this song in 34 years, thanks for the post.
Such an excellent song. Every time I hear it I think of the incredible people that opened up Canada and the United States. The unbelieveable hardships they must have endured wow. Here's to some of the toughest and bravest people that ever walked the earth.
NO. The toughest people that ever walked the Earth were the Roman legions that fought at Teutoberg Forest...
I remember Lighthouse playing this live in the early seventies just like it was yesterday.
Whoever the sound engineer was recorded this did a really good job -- it's hard to tell this live version from the studio version which is not always the case
I grew up in Southern Ont, and this Band was top 5 in terms of Radio and 1'st Accessability, Frequent gigs at "the Lighthouse" in Port Dover Ont, on the north Coast of Lake Erie are THE stuff of (local) legend-keen listener as a child I listened to their "lighthouse Live" Album countless times. Am a Musician largly cause of music like this, + Fleetwood Mac.Procop interview a few yrs ago-Mcbride walked away from "the rec-deal" in washington dc
and the Band ends.Bob fought heroin in Ott till d
Hey, thanks for the comment. Just when I thought no one was paying attention to this video....
Unfortunately, not many people today remember Lighthouse. They really did rock. They came from a time when you could be experimental and STILL be popular. Ah well!
Thanks. I'm glad you enjoyed this video. They really were one of the great Canadian Bands. Not many seem to remember them now though. I especially always loved this song. I still get chills in the intro when the horns kick in. I can just picture the wagon trains slogging their way across the burning desert. .
OLD MEN FUCKED, NEW MEN WERE BORN IN EIGHTEEN SIXTY NINE!!!!!!
Always one of my favorite Lighthouse songs , so visual
If this tune doesn't put a lump in your throat, then you're long dead!...
We Canadians know this band very well, very big here in the early 70's, as big as The Guess Who for a few years.
Ah Man........... Can't even get thru the opening Acoustic part without the tears falling...... Don't know what it is about this song........... Guess I love it that much..... Saw them a number of years ago in St. Albert, AB and yes they were as goo then as they were when they started. Even got the DVD of them redoing all the great songs and comentaries as well..... Love it!
If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you died a long time ago...
One of my cherished 1960s concerts was the debut of Lighthouse at the Rock Pile in Toronto in April 1969. I had been a huge fan of Skip from the Paupers years.
Best thing these guys ever did
amazing song, amazing band
Some day it will....! It's such an intense song, it can't just get buried amongst the mainstream crap!!!!!
One of those images I recall from a childhood paint by numbers .
@KillerKratos8 Hey. I agree, these guys were iconic. In the early 70s, I think they defined not just Canadian Music, but Canadian Culture as well. Big, Broad, Passionate, Innovative, Honest, Fun Loving, Intelligent, Down to Earth... and just a little out side of the mainstream. I often wonder what would have happened if they played Woodstock instead of Isle of Wright that year.
Well put
can never get Lighthouse out of my life,used to watch them in the seventies at the summer gardensin Port Dover ont.
my favorite Lighthouse Song
this song floored me as a teen, back when it came out. lol, i played it over and over again... i always thought they were a great band and would be a part of the soundtrack of my life. truly, they were "sunny days". thank you for sharing this one :)
Believe that SKIP PROKOP wrote this about the Mormon Church's expedition with Joseph Smith from St. Louis that eventually settled in the West...
BEAUTIFUL SONG from a Very GIFTED Band from Toronto.
Thank You for Sharing THIS
@70sfusion Every now and then you could catch Skip on a toronto radio station but no longer. I caught up with him on Young st a few years back. We chatted for a bit. I was very happy to be able to thank him. For all the bands great work. They were a big part of the 70's that I grew up in.P.S. I know the Byrds did 8 miles high first but these guys did it best.
great song, and everything is better with horns
What a song! What a story! Lighthouse is alive and well. And they sound better than ever!!! I just saw then Friday (July 9th/10) Catch them!
Great video! Yes, indeed, I agree this would be a great music for a western movie or a western TV series. You know, I like western movies too :-)
One of the great Canadian bands
Great song by a great band! Thanks for posting. I always loved this song even though it brings other connotations to mind about manifest destiny and the stealing of a continent. Nice pics.
@70sfusion hi...Steve from Boston..Always loved this band (bob McBride solo stuff as well)..Love the Western theme..One of my favorite L H songs, along with 'White Buffalo'..
great tune, great band.
they just don't make them like this anymore . . . (sorry to be so clichéd, but it's so true)
You are so right!
Never heard this on the radio. Had an 8 track with it on it and dreally thought it had a greater story to tell than the other songs on the 8 track. That was in my first new car, a 71 camaro just before my tour in SE Asia. Great story of suffering and challenge.
Yes, the double live LP is by far their best stuff, a real classic album. It's on CD now and it's been remastered. " 8 Miles High" has been extended with some solos that don't appear o the vinyl version. It's really worth the the purchase.
Just saw these guys in Moose Jaw last Saturday night; they sound better than ever!
What a great song. When I first heard it I could see it. Weird.
Great song, creative video! Thanks for sharing a great American song, about our pioneers.
nice - reminds me of Grand Funks - I'm Your Captain (Closer To Home)
Goosebumps every time
The photos look like 1849. I am glad to see nobody took pictures, with dead people. It was common at that time.
Excelent as ever
This band reminds me of a Canadian Chicago.
dispatches67. You're right about this song not describing Canadian heritage. This is a decidedly American story. I'm not sure how much air-play it ever received in the States, But if Lighthouse was able to sell out Carnage hall in 1972, I'm sure a few Americans knew of them and probably of this song. Even though this song is about an American experience, it is an inspirational bit of work by a great group of Canadian boys. It guess that kind of thing transcends boarders.
I am American and I always was a big fan of Lighthouse ever since I first heard them in the 70`s. Pretty Lady is one of my all time favorites! I thought they were as good or better than the other horn bands of their time. Their song`s are still played on some radio stations here. Americans of my generation are very familiar with Lighthouse.
8 track, boy we're dating our self. FYI, I had the 8 track too. It lived in my car and went everywhere with me. I agree, I think I like this song better than One Fine Morning as well. It's such a powerful/epic piece. It really shows off the depth of the band, especially in this live version. I also love the guitar work. Ralph Cole was not an "explosive" guitar player but he could sure convey emotion in his playing. Glad you like the song.
still touring..still genius..i have talked to Skip Prokop in recent times
Rest in peace Skip
Haven't heard this in nearly. . . 40 years???
Good work- whoever put this slideshow together
that's awesome! great song.i like the images.
nice presentation :)
I always loved this song
good job
I don't recall ever hearing it here in the US, but I bought the 8 track (!) & when I heard this, I liked it better than One Fine Morning as it told a great story. And I loved the mellow guitar work.
This song is still great!
This is a song of hope for social justice for me. The harsh unfair law may break me but I'm fighting to never let it break my hope for a better life for me and closest to me
@Sueski2
Its a Canadian song actually, formed in Toronto!
I was just watching Ken Burns's The West on PBS and they should have had this song on about the California Gold Rush...
Sadly, this incarnation of the band only did one more album (Sunny Days)after the live album this was taken from. Bob McBride, the lead singer, left the band shortly there after. After that, the band slowly dissolved. Unfortunately, there wasn't much money to be had splitting the take from a gig 10 to 12 ways. However, the boys got together again in 1982 for "One Fine Weekend" in Toronto. In the early 90s, They started performing together again until Bob passed away. They still play sometimes.
This is the Carnegie Hall concert double Lp
Great job!
..and this is good. 5 stars
Underated Genius's
What a great history lesson! Read Two Years Before the Mast and Mark Twain's Life on the Mississippi to get a real look at life in the 1800's!
Also listen to Steppenwolf's Monster and The Band's Acadian Driftwood, they are perfect too!
Well done!
its pretty sad that no one really knows this band, but it so good
good song.
I feel that Lighthouse is a great band, however I wonder how their record sales were or are?
Southern Ontario they were huge
Thanks for the feedback firithfenion, it's greatly appreciated.
@yeahboizz Hey, cool! I had visions of California. I stand corrected.
anyone have an upload of Eight Miles High by Lighthouse,,, they did an incredible live arrangement of it... great band ...
The video missed some of the rather tragic aspects of the song, I guess...
R I P SKIP !!!!!!!!!!
Nice job piecing together the pictures to go with the music. It's not easy to do.
So where did these guys end up?
MY 2 FAVORITE LIGHTHOUSE SONGS R - 1849 AND CHEST FEVER + A TON OF THE REST. I FOLLOWED LIGHTHOUSE ALL OVER ONTARIO. HAHAHAHAHA - I REMEMBER IN 1971 OR 72 SEEING LIGHTHOUSE AT DEERHURST RESORT NEAR HUNTSVILLE. I NEVER USED AFTERSHAVE, BUT HOLY FEEEUCK, THE SMELL OF HAI KARATE IN THAT JOINT THAT NIGHT - MAJOR YUCKAROO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!