Formerly known as The Progressions, then later as A Taste, Light was named after artwork of Bob Hieronimus. The Light line-up was basically the same as the previous formations. Ricky Peters and Trudy Cooper split duties on lead vocals and drums, with Walt Bailey (bass), Bob Grimm (guitar, lead vocals).
Light could be seen performing at the Scorpio on York Road. Park Plaza (at Charles & Madison Streets), and the Mardi Gras. Also seen at the Harry Magazine benefit at Corpus Christi Hall March 1970 with Meat, Aux, Ames Oakes, others… and in the gazebo at the Druid Hill Park ‘Be-In’ on April 4, 1970.
Ricky and Trudy gained international recognition as the subjects of an Associated Press photograph at the 1969 Woodstock festival in upstate New York, sitting atop of ‘The Light Bus,’ a VW bus owned by Bob Grimm and painted by local artist Bob Hieronimus.
The group performed on the Kerby Scott Show and brought the bus in to the set of the show.
While performing on Kerby Scott, A&R man Bob Gaudio was in Baltimore visiting with Bill Bateman and saw the group on television. Bateman arranged an audition at Club Venus. Light, along with the Sciuto brothers went to New York and signed recording contracts.
Above: Walt, Rick, Trudy, Bob
Photos courtesy of Bob Grimm
Light released singles on the Gazette label including “Buena Vista” (Gazette 8001). Other songs were “Material Man,” “Rooms,” “When I’m Gone.” Their second single was released under the name Lux – the Latin word for Light. The group signed a contract with Columbia Records in 1970 and played a concert at the Fillmore East in New York.
The group later evolved through Good Grief, Flow, and Touch. The song “Material Man” was later released on a single as by Touch.
Light returned from New York without Grimm, who went on to play for Frankie Valli’s back-up touring band April through November 1971. Bailey and Peters were briefly with Good Greif.
1970 Gazette 8001 Buena Vista / (same)
1970 Gazette 8002 When I’m Gone / (same)
