Co-founder of band Lighthouse dead at 74
Skip Prokop, the big-hearted drummer, co-founder and visionary behind Canadian rock band Lighthouse, has died. He was 74.
Band manager Brenda Hoffert, wife of Lighthouse co-founder Paul Hoffert, says Prokop had a heart condition and was ill for some time. He died Wednesday in a St. Thomas, Ont., hospital.
Born Ronald Harry Prokop, the Hamilton native had his initial taste of international success with Canadian psychedelic rock band the Paupers in the early 1960s. After the group disbanded, Prokop was an indemand session musician for industry heavyweights including Carlos Santana, Janis Joplin and folk trio Peter, Paul and Mary.
But Prokop envisioned the creation of a rock orchestra infused with horns, strings and a rhythm session. He was able to realize his dream through a meeting with jazz pianist and film composer Hoffert, cofounding Lighthouse in 1968. The duo teamed with guitarist Ralph Cole and some 10 other musicians from the jazz, rock and classical disciplines.
The band had chart success and was well known for infectious tracks like “You Girl,” “One Fine Morning,” “Pretty Lady” and “Sunny Days.”
Lighthouse won Junos for Group of the Year in 1974, Vocal Instrumental Group of the Year in 1973 and Outstanding Performance of the Year in 1972.
Prokop left Lighthouse in 1973, a year before the group disbanded, but he remained an industry mainstay composing music for film, TV and commercials, and working as an album producer.
He returned to the Lighthouse fold when the band reunited in 1992 and they continued to hit the road both within Canada and abroad.
Prokop had been unable to perform with the band since 2014 so his son, Jamie, had stepped in to take his place.
Hoffert said she’s planning a celebratory concert next year to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the band.