Introduction to Edison Lighthouse
Edison Lighthouse is a British pop music group, formed by record producers Tony Macaulay and Barry Mason in 1970 originally as a session group. The band consisted of Tony Burrows, Stuart Edwards, David Taylor, George Weyman, and Ray Dorey. This lineup achieved their first big hit single “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” which not only topped on the UK chart but also became a US Top 10 hit during the early 70s music era. After the success of the song, Burrows left the band, leaving producer Macaulay to reform a new version of Edison Lighthouse radically, making them as a real band as opposed to the previous “studio band” lineup. The new group consisted of members of the other group Merlin Q as well as Paul Vigrass who replaced Burrows as lead vocalist. This lineup released “It’s Up to You Petula”, which charted at the lower rungs on the UK Top 50 and US Hot 100, and was to be their last charting single. The band went on performing and touring nationally as well as globally, and continued their other musical projects. At present there are two versions of the Edison Lighthouse name, which is the US and the UK version.
Edison Lighthouse’s early career
Edison Lighthouse is a pop group from the United Kingdom formed in 1970, known mainly for their huge transatlantic hit “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” during the early 70s music era. Many oldies music lovers will remember the song’s sunny tunes.
They were initially gathered as studio group musicians who also soon released and recorded their own material. It was conceived by singer Tony Burrows (born Anthony Burrows on April 14, 1942), Tony Macaulay (born Anthony Gordon Instone on April 21, 1944) and songwriter Barry Mason (born on July 12, 1935).
The initial Edison Lighthouse lineup consisted of Burrows as lead singer, lead guitarist Stuart Edwards, bassist David Taylor, guitarist Ray Dorey and drummer George Weyman.
“Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”
Edison Lighthouse issued their debut single in 1970 called “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)” on Bell Records. It was a success on both sides on the Atlantic, reaching #1 in their home country and #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1970. It was also awarded a gold disc designation by the RIAA in the US. After the single’s success, Personnel changes later occurred; Macaulay recruited Brian Huggins (lead vocalist), Wally Scott (guitarist), David Kerr-Clemenson (bassist), Andy Locke (vocalist, guitarist), Peter Butt (bassist), Eddie (drummer), Ken Reeves (vocalist) and actor/singer Paul Vigrass who filled in for Burrows’ position.
Later career
In 1971, their sophomore single “It’s Up to You Petula” would be their last entry to the US chart. It charted modestly both on the US chart and UK chart at #72 and #49 respectively. Their follow-up singles became mostly hits only in the UK such as “What’s Happening?,” “Take a Little Time,” “Reconsider My Belinda” and “Find Mr. Zebedee.” They were also able to tour in countries such as Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and parts of Africa. However, after finishing their European tour dates, the band finally called it quits.
However, in 2001 American musician/songwriter/producer Les Fradkin obtained the rights to the Edison Lighthouse name (in the US only) and went on to form a new lineup. In the UK, Huggins has retained the rights of the Edison Lighthouse name and is still the band’s frontman and lead vocalist.