Tunde Celebrating The Lighthouse Family

Emmanuel Babatunde Baiyewu, better known as Tunde is a British singer & songwriter of Nigerian descent, and the former lead singer and songwriter from the 15 million selling album band Lighthouse Family.

In 2004, he embarked on a solo career, releasing the album Tunde with a second solo album ‘Diamond In A Rock in 2013 before a one off reunion album & tour with Lighthouse Family in 2019 prior to the COVID lockdowns.

Tunde Baiyewu was born in London to a family of Nigerian descent. After spending some of his early life back in Lagos, Tunde returned to the UK attending the University of Northumbria in Newcastle Upon Tyne and obtaining a degree in accounting. He subsequently met Paul Tucker, who was also at university in Newcastle and working in the bar scene.

Their partnership began, and they formed Lighthouse Family. After being initially signed by A&R executive Colin Barlow on a six month development deal to Polydor Records in 1993, Lighthouse Family released their debut album, ‘Ocean Drive’, in 1995 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 Albums Chart. Lighthouse Family’s follow up album, ‘Postcards From Heaven’, achieved similar sales status in 1997 reaching six times Platinum status, and third album ‘Whatever Gets You Through The Day’ in 2001 also achieved Platinum status.