You knew there are a lot of foreigners living at Lake Chapala, but did you know Glenn Yarbrough lives here? The velvet-voiced singer was singing folk music with his group, the Limelighteres in the early 1960s.
We know you remember his biggest hit, “Baby the Rain Must Fall” one of many songs he’s recorded on his own.
Glenn and his wife Kathleen have been living (at least when he’s not on concert tours) in their home on the south shore of Lake Chapala for nearly a decade.
While Glenn still draws big star-like crowds for his 10-15 US concerts each year, his life here in Mexico is simple – just the way he prefers it. On my last trip to visit Glenn at home, he was more proud of his potting shed and the bins full of compost than he was the nearly completed rambling home he’s been working ever since he moved to Lakeside.
Glenn, a vegetarian, grows much of his own food on his own property, nearly an acre of lakefront property. which is now studded with a pair of casitas (guest houses) and a real two-story lighthouse.
Glenn has plans for those casitas and lighthouse. Eventually he plans to install a first class sound studio at the house. Then he can have the members of his band join him at Lake Chapala and record and mix their music here.
The lighthouse houses his office and an observation deck open to the glorious view of the north shore. Glenn hopes to fulfill his long-time dream and produce a radio show called,“Through the Lighthouse Window” from the structure.
Meanwhile he has purchased the special beam for the top of his lighthouse. What will he do with that light?
“I’ve thought of flashing messages in Morse code to the foreigners on the north shore. Sometimes when I get back home from a trip over there, I think maybe I should spell out .—. .- --.. (paz for peace). Those foreigners over there do get themselves revved up sometimes!”
Glenn, a loner prefers the south shore, where he can putter in the garden, work on his music and enjoy his quiet, peaceful life. He’s cares about the village near his home and, along with Bill and Melinda Gates, he’s donated computers to the small town library.
You can keep up with Glenn, his current album releases and US Tour schedule via his website. If he comes to your north of the border city, do not miss the opportunity to see a performance by this great star. We especially enjoyed seeing his amazing Christmas story and concert, “The Forgotten Carols.”
If you want to know more about Glenn Yarbrough’s home and life here, you can read Karen Blue’s article in the July 2009 issue of Living at Lake Chapala. The full story is available to subscribers of the on-line magazine.
As time passes we’ll be producing more of these short profiles of some of the folks who live here – famous and not, Mexican and Foreign, it makes no difference, we’re all members of this wonderful community.
Subscribe