Edison Lighthouse

Edison Lighthouse were an English pop band, formed in London in 1969. The band was best known for their 1970 hit single "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" recorded in late 1969.[1][2]

For the lighthouse, see Eddystone Lighthouse.
Edison Lighthouse
Also known asGreenfield Hammer
OriginLondon, England
Genres
Years active1969 (1969)–1977 (1977)
Labels
Websiteedison-lighthouse.com
Past members
  • Tony Burrows
  • Stuart Edwards (deceased)
  • David Taylor
  • George Weyman
  • Ray Dorey
  • Paul Vigrass
  • David Kerr-Clemenson
  • Andy Locke
  • Eddie Richards
  • Wally Scott
  • Ken Reeves
  • Eamonn Carr
  • Mike Prophet
  • Rob Wilson
John Lee

Career

Before the name Edison Lighthouse, they were known as the soft rock band Greenfield Hammer, gigging on the home counties circuit.[3] The original line-up of Edison Lighthouse consisted of Tony Burrows (lead vocalist), Stuart Edwards (lead guitar), David Taylor (bass guitar), George Weyman (drums), and Ray Dorey (guitar). The group's top 40 hit "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)"[1] (1970) was one of four near-concurrent UK Singles Chart top ten hit singles that Burrows released under different names. The other songs were "Gimme Dat Ding" (the Pipkins), "My Baby Loves Lovin'" (White Plains), and "United We Stand" (Brotherhood of Man).[4] Burrows was also lead vocalist on the single "Beach Baby" (1974) for another studio-only group, the First Class.

"Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" was No. 1 for five weeks and sold 250,000 copies in the UK.[2] It reached the top of the chart in its second week.[5] The United States release was in February 1970 and reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, selling a million copies there by April and earning an RIAA gold disc.[2] In Canada, the song reached No. 3.

Tony Burrows in concert. Taken on 17 May 2008.

Burrows left after "Love Grows", and Macaulay (who owned the rights to the name Edison Lighthouse) brought in other musicians.[4] Actor and singer Paul Vigrass replaced Burrows. Other members included David Kerr-Clemenson (bass guitar) of Warehorne, Andy Locke (vocals, guitar), Eddie Richards (drums), Wally Scott (guitar) and Ken Reeves (vocals).

The band's song "It's Up to You Petula" reached the UK top 50. Their next single, "What's Happening?" coupled with "Take a Little Time", was written by the band. They then went on to tour Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia and Africa. The single released for the Africa tour was "Reconsider My Belinda". The last single released was "Find Mr. Zebedee". The band then called it a day after returning from a tour of Europe.

After disbandment

Dave Kerr-Clemenson, after touring with White Plains and Andy Locke, went on to form Fast Buck, recorded an album with Jet Records, and toured the world extensively supporting ELO. Eddie Richards was the drummer in The First Class who had a hit with "Beach Baby".[1][4] Guitarist Stuart Edwards died on 26 October 2016 from cancer at the age of 73.[6]

In 2001, Les Fradkin, obtaining the trademark to the name Edison Lighthouse, formed a new group for touring and recording. Les Fradkin only has the right to use the name in the US. In the UK, that right belongs to Brian Huggins and, since 1973, Huggins has been fronting the band. The current Edison Lighthouse line-up is as follows:

  • Brian Huggins − lead vocals (1973)
  • Peter Butt − bass guitar (1973)
  • Stephane Booroff − drums
  • Simon Aldridge − lead guitar

Origin of the name

Edison Lighthouse was named after the Eddystone Lighthouse off the coast of Devon. The band later dropped the Lighthouse and became just Edison.

Discography

Studio albums
  • Already (1971, Bell Records, Sweden)
  • Love Grows (1977, SMA, UK)[7]

Live albums
  • Then There Where Two (2003, self-release, UK)[8]

Compilation albums
  • Love Grows (CD, ACD, Austria)
  • Edison Lighthouse (1990 Cassette/CD, Object Enterprises, UK)
  • Love Grows: Complete Collection Featuring Tony Burrows (1994 CD, Sunflower, Italy)
  • The Best of Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows (1999 CD, Repertoire Records, Germany)[9]
  • Love Grows with Edison Lighthouse (2002 CD, The Westminster Recording Co., UK)
  • On the Rocks (2002 CD, Park South, US)
  • Edison Lighthouse Selected Favorites (2006 Digital Download, Charly Records, US)
  • Their Very Best (2009 Digital Download, K-tel, US)
  • Barbara Ann (2010 Digital Download, One Media Publishing, US)
  • Showing the Way - (The Dave Cash Collection) (2011 Digital Download, One Media Publishing, US)
  • The Dave Cash Collection: Light My House (2011 Digital Download, One Media Publishing, US)

[10] [11]

Singles

See also

References
  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 179. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 278. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  3. "BBC - Cornwall - Uncovered Edison Lighthouse are back and in Cornwall". www.bbc.co.uk.
  4. Jason Ankeny. "Edison Lighthouse | Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
  5. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 131. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  6. "Tributes paid to talented Maidenhead musician". Maidenhead-advertiser.co.uk. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  7. "Edison Lighthouse - Love Grows". Discogs.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  8. "Edison Lighthouse - Then There Where Two". Discogs.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  9. "Edison Lighthouse – Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" – via genius.com.
  10. "Edison Lighthouse". Discogs.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  11. "Edison Lighthouse on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  12. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 100. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  13. "flavour of new zealand - search listener". Flavourofnz.co.nz. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
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