Lighthouse at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

Lighthouse came on the scene in 1969 with a unique sound that defied all conventions. Their fusion of rock, jazz and classical influences made them one of the most dynamic concert acts of their time. Between1970 and 1974 they were awarded four Junos, four gold albums and were awarded Canada’s first platinum album for Lighthouse Live! while hits such as One Fine Morning, Sunny Days, Hats Off to the Stranger, 1849and Pretty Lady raced to the top of Canadian and International charts. Lighthouse was the first Canadian rock band asked to headline the Newport, Monterey and Boston Globe Jazz Festivals; the first to perform with Symphony Orchestras and the first to collaborate with a Classical Ballet Company. Lighthouse was the only act invited to perform a second night at the legendary 1970 Isle of Wight Festival among acts that included The Who, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Chicago and The Doors.

Back home in Toronto, the band’s free concerts at Nathan Phillip’s Square attracted one hundred thousand people.  Lighthouse toured up to three hundred days a year performing to standing ovations across North America, Europe and Asia with an emphasis on concerts in the cities, towns and small hamlets of every province across the country. It would be hard to find a person who lived in Canada through the 1970s who didn’t see the group live. They were, and remain, Canada’s band.

After regrouping several times, Lighthouse permanently reunited in 1990. The band continues to record and tour, performing with the same free-wheeling, hard-driving sound that has kept them on the airwaves and in the hearts of fans for more than 50 years. Recent honours include inductions into the Canadian Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Lighthouse features co-founder Paul Hoffert leading an all-star line-up that includes 1970 original member Russ Little with Dan Clancy, Doug Moore, Marc Ganetakos, Chris Howells, Simon Wallis, Michael Stuart, James Naro and Paul DeLong.