Paul Tucker spent many years in Newcastle trying to make big time in music and after several years finally sold all his musical equipment and studied for a degree in French and German. After graduation he found himslef with no active work to pursue and he took up working in a Newcastle night club. Over the years he retained one song he had writen, Ocean Drive, which he could play but couldnt sing. Determined to produce a record he put up "singer wanted" posters around Newcastle.
Also in Newcastle was Tunde Baiyewu who had just qualified with a degree in accounting and was working in a local bar. A friend who had seen the posters around Newcastle had previously heard Tunde singing along to the Gap Band. He recommended Tunde should pursue the option of singing. The two met up and Tunde immediately identified with Ocean Drive.
After an initial recording session, the balanced mix of European and African styles created the unique blend that Paul Tucker had been looking for. Demo tapes were quickly distributed and after November 1995 a release of Ocean Drive entered the UK charts. Sales never really peaked and Polydor actually deleted the record from their overseas catalog. Then a re-release of the bands single "Lifted," began climbing up the British charts and finally entered the top 5.
Since then Lighthouse Family have enjoyed a healthy UK following. To date, the album has sold nearly 2 million copies at home and is now getting recognition in the US.
