Turn On Your Love Light
Encyclopedia
"Turn On Your Love Light" is an R&B-style blues song recorded by Bobby Bland
in 1961. It was a both an important R&B and pop chart hit for Bland and has become one of his most identifiable songs. A variety of artists have recorded it, including the Grateful Dead
, who made it part of their concert repertoire.
owner/producer Don Robey
aka Deadric Malone). Scott's brass arrangement "upped the excitement ante" with "the groove picking up momentum as the horns and percussion talk to each other" and Bland's vocal "riding on top". Backing Bland are probably Joe Scott and Melvin Jackson (trumpets), Pluma Davis (trombone), Johnny Board and Jimmy Beck (saxophones), Rayfield Davers (baritone saxophone), Teddy Reynolds (piano), Wayne Bennett
(guitar), Hamp Simmons (bass), and John "Jabo" Starks (drums).
"Turn On Your Love Light" was one of Bobby Bland's most popular singles. It entered the Billboard R&B chart on December 4, 1961, eventually reaching #2 during a stay of fifteen weeks. It was also a Top 40 hit, reaching #28, one of Bland's highest showings in the pop chart.
's band Them
often performed "Turn On Your Love Light" live at the Maritime Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A fan's recording of one of these performances brought Them to the attention of Dick Rowe
and led to a recording contract with Decca Records
. It is included on their 1966 album, Them Again
.
In 1966, "Turn On Your Love Light" became a staple of Grateful Dead
concerts, sung by Ron McKernan. Perhaps their most well-known version is the 15-minute rendition on their 1969 double live album Live/Dead
. McKernan's final performance of "Lovelight" – complete with extended vocal raps – occurred at the Lyceum Theatre, London during the Europe '72
tour. Versions with McKernan were often very long due to long vocal raps, instrumental jams, and drum solos throughout. A version performed at the 1969 Woodstock Festival
lasted more than 45 minutes. Grateful Dead later revived the song in the early 1980s with Bob Weir
singing the vocals.
In 1966, the song was recorded by The Rascals
, appearing as part of a medley with the Motown tune "Mickey's Monkey" on the album Collections. In 1967, the song was released as a single by Jerry Lee Lewis
and included on his album Soul My Way (Smash SRS 67097). Lewis's recording was re-released in 1972 as a follow up to his hit recording of "Chantilly Lace
" and appeared briefly in the lower reaches of the Billboard Hot 100
. It was also included on the 1972 album The 'Killer' Rocks On. In 1968, The Human Beinz
released their version on Capitol Records
that became a #1 chart hit in Japan. Before joining Grand Funk Railroad
, Mark Farner
and Don Brewer
covered this song as "Love Lights" and is included on Monumental Funk
. In 1972, Edgar Winter's White Trash recorded the song for the live album Roadwork
.
and is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
list of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll".
Bobby Bland
Robert Calvin Bland better known as Bobby "Blue" Bland, is an American singer of blues and soul. He is an original member of the Beale Streeters, and is sometimes referred to as the "Lion of the Blues"...
in 1961. It was a both an important R&B and pop chart hit for Bland and has become one of his most identifiable songs. A variety of artists have recorded it, including the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
, who made it part of their concert repertoire.
Original song
"Turn On Your Love Light" was written by band leader and arranger Joe Scott (with an additional credit given to Duke RecordsDuke Records
Duke Records was an American record label, started in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1952 by David James Mattis and Bill Fitzgerald, owners of Tri-State Recording Company. Their first release was Roscoe Gordon singing "Hey Fat Girl", issued on Duke R-1, later amended to R-101.After forming a partnership...
owner/producer Don Robey
Don Robey
Don Robey was an American record label executive, songwriter and record producer, who used criminal means as part of his business model...
aka Deadric Malone). Scott's brass arrangement "upped the excitement ante" with "the groove picking up momentum as the horns and percussion talk to each other" and Bland's vocal "riding on top". Backing Bland are probably Joe Scott and Melvin Jackson (trumpets), Pluma Davis (trombone), Johnny Board and Jimmy Beck (saxophones), Rayfield Davers (baritone saxophone), Teddy Reynolds (piano), Wayne Bennett
Wayne Bennett (blues guitarist)
Wayne Bennett was an American blues guitarist.-Biography:He was born in Sulphur, Oklahoma, and died in New Orleans Louisiana. He worked with blues musicians such as Bobby Bland, Boxcar Willie, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker and Elmore James, as well as with jazz musicians, including Cannonball...
(guitar), Hamp Simmons (bass), and John "Jabo" Starks (drums).
"Turn On Your Love Light" was one of Bobby Bland's most popular singles. It entered the Billboard R&B chart on December 4, 1961, eventually reaching #2 during a stay of fifteen weeks. It was also a Top 40 hit, reaching #28, one of Bland's highest showings in the pop chart.
Other versions
In 1964, Van MorrisonVan Morrison
Van Morrison, OBE is a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician. His live performances at their best are regarded as transcendental and inspired; while some of his recordings, such as the studio albums Astral Weeks and Moondance, and the live album It's Too Late to Stop Now, are widely...
's band Them
Them (band)
Them were a Northern Irish band formed in Belfast in April 1964, most prominently known for the garage rock standard "Gloria" and launching singer Van Morrison's musical career...
often performed "Turn On Your Love Light" live at the Maritime Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland. A fan's recording of one of these performances brought Them to the attention of Dick Rowe
Dick Rowe
Richard Paul Rowe was an A&R man at Decca Records from the 1950s to the 1960s.He was one of the most important producers and record executives in the United Kingdom in the 1950s and early 1960s and is the man who signed The Rolling Stones, Them , The Moody Blues, The Animals, The Zombies, John...
and led to a recording contract with Decca Records
Decca Records
Decca Records began as a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934; however, owing to World War II, the link with the British company was broken for several decades....
. It is included on their 1966 album, Them Again
Them Again
Them Again is the second album by the Northern Irish band, Them, whose lead singer and songwriter was Van Morrison. The album was released by Decca Records in the UK on January 21, 1966 but it failed to chart. In the U.S...
.
In 1966, "Turn On Your Love Light" became a staple of Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
concerts, sung by Ron McKernan. Perhaps their most well-known version is the 15-minute rendition on their 1969 double live album Live/Dead
Live/Dead
Live/Dead is the first official live album released by the San Francisco-based band Grateful Dead. It was recorded over a series of live concerts in early 1969 and released later in the year on November 10...
. McKernan's final performance of "Lovelight" – complete with extended vocal raps – occurred at the Lyceum Theatre, London during the Europe '72
Europe '72
Europe '72 is a 1972 live triple album of performances by the Grateful Dead, recorded during their tour of Western Europe in early 1972.-History:...
tour. Versions with McKernan were often very long due to long vocal raps, instrumental jams, and drum solos throughout. A version performed at the 1969 Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Festival
Woodstock Music & Art Fair was a music festival, billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music". It was held at Max Yasgur's 600-acre dairy farm in the Catskills near the hamlet of White Lake in the town of Bethel, New York, from August 15 to August 18, 1969...
lasted more than 45 minutes. Grateful Dead later revived the song in the early 1980s with Bob Weir
Bob Weir
Bob Weir is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, most recognized as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. After the Grateful Dead disbanded in 1995, Weir performed with The Other Ones, later known as The Dead, together with other former members of the Grateful Dead...
singing the vocals.
In 1966, the song was recorded by The Rascals
The Rascals
The Rascals were an American blue-eyed soul group initially active during the years 1965–72. The band released numerous top ten singles in North America during the mid- and late-1960s, including the U.S. #1 hits "Good Lovin'" , "Groovin'" , and "People Got to Be Free"...
, appearing as part of a medley with the Motown tune "Mickey's Monkey" on the album Collections. In 1967, the song was released as a single by Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll and country music singer-songwriter and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis's career faltered after he married his young cousin, and he afterwards made a career extension to country and western music. He is known by the nickname 'The...
and included on his album Soul My Way (Smash SRS 67097). Lewis's recording was re-released in 1972 as a follow up to his hit recording of "Chantilly Lace
Chantilly Lace (song)
"Chantilly Lace" is the name of a rock and roll song, written and originally performed by The Big Bopper in 1958. The Co-writers of the song were Jerry Foster and Bill Rice...
" and appeared briefly in the lower reaches of the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
. It was also included on the 1972 album The 'Killer' Rocks On. In 1968, The Human Beinz
The Human Beinz
The Human Beinz is an American rock and roll / frat rock band from Youngstown, Ohio. Originally known as The Human Beingz, the band initially featured John "Dick" Belley , Joe "Ting" Markulin , Mel Pachuta and Gary Coates -Early career:The Beinz started in 1964 as The Premiers, launching their...
released their version on Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
that became a #1 chart hit in Japan. Before joining Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad
Grand Funk Railroad is an American rock band that was highly popular during the 1970s. Grand Funk Railroad toured constantly to packed arenas worldwide. A popular take on the band during its heyday was that, although the critics hated them, audiences loved them...
, Mark Farner
Mark Farner
Mark Fredrick Farner is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter, best known as the lead singer and lead guitarist for Grand Funk Railroad, and later as a Contemporary Christian Musician.-Early life and career:...
and Don Brewer
Don Brewer
Don Brewer is the drummer and co-lead singer for American rock band Grand Funk Railroad.- Early life :Brewer was born in Flint, Michigan on September 3, 1948 and is a graduate of Swartz Creek High School....
covered this song as "Love Lights" and is included on Monumental Funk
Monumental Funk
Monumental Funk is a 1974 unofficial release by Grand Funk Railroad. Quadico .Mark Farner calls this a "bootleg" put out by the people at the originallabel who released music by Terry Knight & the Pack, a company called Lucky...
. In 1972, Edgar Winter's White Trash recorded the song for the live album Roadwork
Roadwork (album)
Roadwork is a live album by vocalist/keyboardist/saxophonist Edgar Winter and his band White Trash, a powerful revue famous for their fusion of funk, gospel, R&B, and rock 'n' roll. It was released as a double LP in 1972...
.
Accolades
In 1999, the song received a Grammy Hall of Fame AwardGrammy Hall of Fame Award
The Grammy Hall of Fame Award is a special Grammy award established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least twenty-five years old and that have "qualitative or historical significance"...
and is included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
list of the "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll".