#101: Can’t Wait For The Night by Brighton Rock

City: Hamilton, ON
Radio Station: CKOC
Peak Month: March 1987
Peak Position in Hamilton ~ #17
Peak position in Vancouver ~ did not chart
Peak Position on Billboard Hot 100 ~ did not chart
YouTube: “Can’t Wait For The Night”
Lyrics: “Can’t Wait For The Night”

Brighton Rock is a band from Niagara Falls, Ontario, who formed in 1982. The original bandmates were lead singer Gerry McGhee, lead guitar player Greg Fraser, bass guitarist Steve Skreebs, keyboard player Martin Victor, and drummer Mark Cavarzan. Initially, they named themselves Heart Attack. They released a single titled “Breakin’ Down The Barricade”. In 1984, they changed their name to Brighton Rock. Gerald McGhee was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1962. He moved to Ontario, and was singing in a Hamilton (ON) based band called The Rockers. When he joined Heart Attack, his fans in Hamilton stayed loyal to McGhee, and followed their output with interest. Martin Victor left the band and was replaced by Johnny Rogers. In 1985, the band released a self-titled EP. Then in 1986, the band released their debut album, Young, Wild and Free.

 The first track released as a single was “Can’t Wait For The Night”.

“Can’t Wait For The Night” was written by McGhee and Fraser. The song is about the “thirst for action and desire. He knows sometimes love doesn’t matter.” And so, sometimes, you can’t wait for the night.

“Can’t Wait For The Night” peaked at #17 in Hamilton.

A followup single was “We Came to Rock”. It got more attention on radio markets in the USA, climbing to #22 in Lock Haven (PA), #24 in Laramie (WY) and San Antonio (TX), and #26 in Sinton (TX) and Mechanicsburg (PA). While the title track, “Young, Wild, and Free” reached #17 in Long Beach (CA).

From February to May 1989, Brighton Rock’s “One More Try” spent a dozen weeks on the CKOC pop chart in Hamilton, peaking at #22. The single came from the band’s second album, Take A Deep Breath. It reached #22 on the RPM Album chart in Canada. John Rogers left the band after this album.

A third album, Love Machine, was released in 1991 and failed to break onto the RPM album chart in Canada. As well, four more single releases after “One More Try” failed to catch on. Brighton Rock dissolve in 1992.

Greg Fraser spent time as a sideman with Helix. Later he formed Fraze Gang.

Brighton Rock reformed in 2001, and released the live album, A Room for Live Five, in 2002. They continued performing until 2020 when Gerry McGhee died of cancer.

May 8, 2024
Ray McGinnis

References:
“Brighton Rock Singer Gerry McGhee Passes Away From Cancer,” Brave Words, August 26, 2020.
“Interview with Former Brighton Rock, Helix Guitarist Available,” Brave Words, September 13, 2006.
“Brighton Rock – Bio,” brightonrock.ca, August 21, 2013.

CKOC 1150-AM, Hamilton (ON) Top 20 | April 1, 1987