Skip Prokop, Co-Founder of Canadian Rock Band Lighthouse, Dead at 73, R.I.P.

Drummer and singer-songwriter Ronald Harry "Skip" Prokop, co-founder of the 1970's Canadian rock band Lighthouse, passed away today at the age of 73. The cause of death is not known, but Prokop had been ill for several years with heart troubles and diabetes and had withdrawn from performing.

A native of Hamilton, Ontario, Prokop played drums and contributed songs to the Toronto based psychedelic band The Paupers from 1966 to 1968. The Paupers were managed by Albert Grossman, who also managed Bob Dylan. Because of this connection, The Paupers were invited to play at the Monterey Pop Festival in June 1967. It was there that Prokop's drumming came to the attention of Al Kooper who asked Prokop to join him and Mike Bloomfield to play on their live album The Live Adventures of Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper. Following this collaboration, Prokop participated in some recording sessions with Janis Joplin in an effort to form a new version of Big Brother and The Holding Company, but this did not pan out.

Prokop returned to Canada and in 1969 co-founded Lighthouse with Paul Hoffert. When they made their live debut they were introduced by none other than Duke Ellington. If you are unfamiliar with Lighthouse, think of them as a cross between Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Lighthouse was very nearly as popular as The Guess Who during the early 1970's. Unlike The Guess Who, Lighthouse didn't have nearly as much success in this country notwithstanding their appearance at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival and a live album they recorded at New York City's Carnegie Hall in 1972

Prokop wrote or co-wrote virtually all of Lighthouse's hits. Two of their biggest were "One Fine Morning" and "Sunny Days" which featured the vocals of Bob McBride. However, McBride wasn't always reliable. In fact, he disappeared completely when the band recorded their 1973 album Can You Feel It and Prokop had to fill in as the band's lead vocalist. The result their third big hit "Pretty Lady" which is my favorite Lighthouse song.

"Pretty Lady" proved to be Lighthouse's last hurrah. The group would record one more album in 1974 and call it quits by 1976. However, Three Dog Night had a hit with the Prokop penned "I'd Be So Happy" later that year. Here are both versions:

Those of you under the age of 30 might actually recognize the melody of "I'd Be So Happy" because it was sampled by hip-hop artist French Montana on his 2013 hit "Once in a While":

After a one off Lighthouse reunion in 1982, the group made it permanent in 1992 and toured Canada every summer since although Prokop would be replaced on drums by his son Jamie following his illness in 2014.

In 1970, Prokop made history when he became the first musician to speak before Canada's House of Commons. Shortly thereafter, the Canadian government enacted Canadian content rules which benefited Lighthouse and other Canadian recording artists and continues to do so to this very day. It is a shame that Prokop's contribution to Canadian music and to popular music in the late 1960's and early 1970's has been sorely overlooked. Perhaps now he will get some measure of renewed recognition even if he isn't around to appreciate it. He now rests with the other characters who traveled west in 1849. R.I.P.