Founding member of Canadian rock outfit Lighthouse Skip Prokop has died. The drummer and vocalist was 73.
Born Ronald Harry Prokop in December, 1943, the multi-instrumentalist played in Toronto bands such as the Riverside Three and the Paupers before forming Lighthouse in 1968.
The brass rock band's original 13-piece lineup captured the country's attention throughout the 1970s, with songs like "Sunny Days" and "One Fine Morning" receiving rock radio play today. The group won Juno Awards for Best Canadian Group of the Year in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
Prokop moved to guitar in Lighthouse full time come 1974. He also worked as a session musician with the likes of Big Brother & the Holding Company and Peter, Paul and Mary. In addition, he wrote Three Dog Night's "I'd Be So Happy," which appeared on the group's 1974 LP Hard Labor.
Prokop also worked in radio during Lighthouse's years of inactivity, hosting Rock and a Hard Place on Toronto's CFNY-FM, now known better as 102.1 the Edge.
Find reaction to Prokop's passing from industry figures and fans below.
Born Ronald Harry Prokop in December, 1943, the multi-instrumentalist played in Toronto bands such as the Riverside Three and the Paupers before forming Lighthouse in 1968.
The brass rock band's original 13-piece lineup captured the country's attention throughout the 1970s, with songs like "Sunny Days" and "One Fine Morning" receiving rock radio play today. The group won Juno Awards for Best Canadian Group of the Year in 1972, 1973 and 1974.
Prokop moved to guitar in Lighthouse full time come 1974. He also worked as a session musician with the likes of Big Brother & the Holding Company and Peter, Paul and Mary. In addition, he wrote Three Dog Night's "I'd Be So Happy," which appeared on the group's 1974 LP Hard Labor.
Prokop also worked in radio during Lighthouse's years of inactivity, hosting Rock and a Hard Place on Toronto's CFNY-FM, now known better as 102.1 the Edge.
Find reaction to Prokop's passing from industry figures and fans below.
'Lighthouse' loses its brightest light. RIP Skip Prokop. https://t.co/59at8lBC8g
— Tom Harrington (@cbctom) August 31, 2017
On behalf of our @glasstiger family we send our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of "Skip" Prokop" of #lighthouse 😢RIP #SKIP
— Glass Tiger (@glasstiger) August 31, 2017
RIP Skip Prokop
— Ron Sexsmith (@RonSexsmith) August 31, 2017
Great drummer and founding member of the legendary band Lighthouse RS
Canadian music loses a giant. R.I.P. Skip Prokop, a founding member of Lighthouse. Here's 1973's Pretty Lady https://t.co/lLAQhnTaJ1
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) August 31, 2017
RIP Skip Prokop. The drumming off the top of One Fine Morning fascinated me as a kid. One of the reasons I wanted to play. pic.twitter.com/NTcmw1E8tk
— Jeremy Elliott (@JeremyElliott) August 31, 2017
