About lightspeed

The lightspeed story…

While considering how to best way to describe Lightspeed, it occurred to me how the ongoing Band was much like a journey I had taken by Train from Toronto to Vancouver many years ago….

It was the summer of ’74. Seated in the Passenger’s Section, I was filled with both great anticipation and great fear. For the next several days I would be travelling from one side of the Country to the other with nothing more than a backpack and my Guitar. The day was moving along smoothly enough when a man who appeared to be in his early 20’s approached me. He spied my Guitar, which sat on the empty seat beside me and he immediately stopped.

He introduced himself as Eric and then asked if the Axe were mine.

I introduce myself and replied ‘Yep, she’s my travellin’ companion…’

‘Hey listen, a bunch of us are going to meet in the Observation Car to Jam. You’re more than welcome to join us.’ I told him I’d be there.

Later that evening, I found myself surrounded by a number of fellow Musicians as well as a several others who were there for the free entertainment. They were in the middle of playing a familiar Beatles Song and the Audience was joyfully clapping and singing along. Upon finishing the Song, Eric introduced me to the others and asked what I’d like to play. The first thing that came to mind was ‘Your Move’ by Yes. I was surprised to find that many of them recognized the Song and immediately joined me. The feeling was magical…and somewhat overwhelming.

As the Evening progressed, various other Musicians joined the gang while others, exhausted, said their goodnights and disappeared. The overall feeling being produced by the variety of different players and singers would alter somewhat, depending upon who was present at the moment. It was always great, but the songs we played would vary in style depending upon who was participating. It was the culmination of a diverse group of people which help create the sound we were creating. And that sound only existed because those particular people were there at that moment. But no matter who was there and what individual contributions each person added, it was always exciting and continuously evolving.

The Trip lasted 3 days and during the corresponding 3 nights the Music Night continued. Each Evening was different from the last. None were better or worse…just unique. During the night, some would stop by for a song or two and head off, others would stay for the bulk of the evening. But no matter how long anyone stayed, each player added his or her mark and helped with the constant flow of emotions being created. Those nightly performances made what might have been a long, dull journey into a Voyage I will never forget…

And so, it has been with the Voyage called Lightspeed. Since its inception in 1977, a number of Players have joined the journey – some for just a short time before moving on to other trips, others who have been there since the first call of ‘All aboard!’ But, no matter how long each has been a part of the journey, each has made his/her mark and have been equally important parts of the ever-changing Story.

The Seventies saw Lightspeed as a Progressive Rock Band, playing Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd covers as well as many Original pieces. The end of the 70’s saw a brief stop along the way…

Then in 1989, the Band once again got the All Aboard call after Rod and Terry joined forces with John, Gene and Sandy. From that point, two CDs ‘So…Exactly Where are We?’ and ‘On Second Thought’ were recorded and performed live.

Upon Sandy’s retirement, original Keyboard Player Gary Chappell returned to help create CD #3 ‘Waves’. Several live performances followed until the next Stop was reached. Waves saw Gary leave, followed by the tragic passing of Lightspeed’s Guitarist Extraordinaire Gene Murray. Gene’s passing was devastating to all of Lightspeed members, but fueled the fire for the Band to continue, writing and recording the songs for CD #4 ‘Delta’ in his honour – which brings us to the present part of the ongoing journey.

Lightspeed’s present entourage includes players from all over the World who are helping to keep Gene’s legacy alive. Names such as Oliver Wakeman, Tommy Denander, Howard Helm, Wilmer Waarbroek, Sephira, Bruce Paine, Shane Myers, Theo Travis, Jamie Glaser, Janne Stark and others are adding their ‘voices’ to the Choir. Thus, the Band is continuing its journey…but unlike my trip to Vancouver, Lightspeed doesn’t have a set destination point. The train keeps a rollin’…