Tunde - The Voice of The Lighthouse Family

Tunde Baiyewu (born Babatunde Emmanuel Baiyewu, 25 November 1968) is a British singer-songwriter of Nigerian descent and is a member of the multi-platinum selling, Lighthouse Family. Tunde was born in London, but moved to Nigeria at the age of five. Ten years later he returned to Britain, attending the University of Northumbria in Newcastle upon Tyne, and obtained a degree in accounting. He subsequently met Paul Tucker who was also studying at university in Newcastle and also working in the bar scene – their partnership began and they formed Lighthouse Family.

The duo released their debut album ‘Ocean Drive’, with the lead single Lifted reaching the top five on the UK Singles Chart. ‘Ocean Drive’ was certified six-times platinum by the end of 1997, selling more than 1.8 million copies in the UK alone and spending 154 weeks on the UK Album Chart. Lighthouse Family’s follow-up albums, ‘Postcards from Heaven’ achieved similar status in 1997, reaching 6 times Platinum status, and ‘Whatever Gets You Through the Day’ also receiving Platinum status. They subsequently sold over 15 million albums throughout their career.

Tunde’s first self titled solo album, was released in 2004, with his second solo album, ‘Diamond In A Rock’, released in 2013.

In 2019, Lighthouse Family released a new album ‘Blue Sky in Your Head’. It was the group’s first album in 18 years and was supported with two sell-out UK tours.

Over the past few years, Tunde has been working on a new collection of recordings, inspired by the artists and the singer-songwriter era of the 1970’s. Reunited with Lighthouse Family producer Mike Peden, they have recorded a selection of Troubadour influenced songs. Songs recorded are gems written by Elton John, Crosby, Stills & Nash, James Taylor, Leon Russell, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, America, David Gates, Bill Withers, Todd Rundgren and Barry White.

October 2023