Turn On Your Love Light

"Turn On Your Love Light" is a song originally written by Deadric Malone and Joseph Scott. The song was first recorded by blues singer Bobby Bland in 1961, which featured guitarist Wayne Bennett. It earned Bland a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 1999, and is listed in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. [ [http://www.rockhall.com/exhibithighlights/500-songs/ 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll] ]

In 1964 Van Morrison's Them band often performed this song live at the Maritime Hotel in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was a fan's recording of Them performing this song that brought Them to the attention of Dick Rowe and led to a recording contract with Decca Records. It was one of the tracks including on their 1966 album, "Them Again".

In 1966, "Turn On Your Love Light" became a staple for the Grateful Dead as part of their live performances; it became one of the Dead Heads' favorite songs sung by Ron McKernan. Historians believe the official version is the 15-minute rendition on their seminal 1969 double live album "Live/Dead". It was last performed by the Grateful Dead, with Ron McKernan singing, at the London Lyceum during the Europe '72 tour. The Grateful Dead would later revise the song in the early 1980s with Bob Weir singing the vocals.

In 1966, Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels had a hit with this song under the title "Let Your Lovelight Shine." It was also recorded in that year by The Rascals, appearing as part of a medley with the Motown tune "Mickey's Monkey" on the album "Collections" (1967).

Other artists who have recorded the song include Tom Constanten, Ratdog, Toots Hibbert, Langhorne Slim, and The Blues Brothers.

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www3.clearlight.com/~acsa/introjs.htm?/~acsa/songfile/TURNONYR.HTM Grateful Dead Song Finder: Turn On Your Love Light]