Bob McBride

Robert Bruce McBride (17 November 1946 – 20 February 1998) was a Canadian rock singer-songwriter. He is best known as lead vocalist for the Canadian band Lighthouse. McBride has one Juno Award.

In 2022, Lighthouse members Ralph Cole, Paul Hoffert, Bob McBride and Skip Prokop were honored at the 33rd SOCAN Awards and inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

McBride has one Juno Award and two nominations.

Early life and education McBride was born in Toronto and graduated from North Toronto Collegiate Institute.

Career As a young man, McBride was part of Ronnie Hawkins' backup band for several years. He joined the band Lighthouse in 1970, replacing original singer Pinky Dauvin. His voice contributed to successful Lighthouse songs such as "Hats Off (To The Stranger)", "1849" and "One Fine Morning". He also won a 1973 Juno Award in the Outstanding Male Performance category and was nominated for 1974 Juno's in the Best Male Vocalist category, and as Male Vocalist of the Year.

In October 1972, while still a member of Lighthouse, McBride embarked on a solo career, signing a record deal with Capitol and releasing his debut album Butterfly Days. The album was both a critical and commercial success, going gold in Canada (selling over 50,000 copies) and spawning the hit singles "Pretty City Lady", "Treasure Song", and the title track.

In summer 1973, McBride officially parted ways with the band, some of whom were upset after he failed to appear for a New York recording session for the album Can You Feel It. Fellow member Skip Prokop sang the band's hit song "Pretty Lady" in his place, although Prokop said in an interview that McBride "could have done it bigger and better".

In 1976, McBride was allegedly approached to become the lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, replacing David Clayton-Thomas. A few months later this was dismissed by Thomas' manager, Fred Heller, stating that this claim was "completely unfounded" and "Blood, Sweat & Tears with lead vocalist David Clayton-Thomas will perform with him fronting the band. Thomas also did all the lead vocals on the band's new album."

In 1978, McBride had a cocaine overdose.

He returned with Here to Sing in the fall of 1979, with famed producer Jack Richardson. It generated more singles, and although the music's maturity was heralded by critics, none of the singles made the Top 40.

He reunited with many Lighthouse alumni in September, 1982 for a weekend of four concerts at Ontario Place, which drew 33,000 people; at the end of the weekend the musicians went their separate ways.

The band got together again in 1992 with a ten-member line-up, which included the founding members Prokop, Hoffert and Cole, with McBride on vocals. McBride had been addicted to heroin for over a decade, and the drug problems resulted in poor performances and erratic behaviour; by the end of the year he was once again gone from the band.

On October 17, 2022, McBride, along with his fellow Lighthouse members, was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. His daughter, Lara McBride, accepted on his behalf.

Legal issues In 1994, McBride was sentenced to 90 days in prison after he robbed an Ottawa drugstore twice for morphine. As part of his sentence, he organized two benefit concerts to raise awareness of the dangers of drugs. In 1996, he was charged with a 1992 jewelry theft. A 1996 trial was postponed due to his ill health. It continued in December 1997, a mistrial was declared, and McBride was scheduled to return to court in March 1998, but never returned due to his death in February 1998.

Later in his life, McBride was married to Janice Fobert-Seaton, who died in 2003. one son was raised by them.

Albums

Year Album Album details Peak chart positions CAN 1972Butterfly Days Released: October 1972 (Canada) / February 1973 (US) Label: Capitol/EMI 591973Sea of Dreams Released: August 1973 Label: Capitol/EMI —1978Bob McBride Released: 1978 Label: London —1979Here to Sing Released: 1979 Label: MCA — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles