Posted on 05/01/2023 6:48:41 PM PDT by Drew68
Legendary Canadian folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot has died at age 84.
Victoria Lord, a representative for the family, says the musician behind classic Canadian ballads "Early Morning Rain" and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" died at a Toronto hospital on Monday evening.
His cause of death was not immediately available.
The Orillia, Ont., native rose to fame in the early 1960s after a move to Toronto opened doors in the thriving Yorkville music scene, and hooked him up with fellow folkies Ian and Sylvia Tyson. They became great admirers of his work and covered two of his tracks.
His 1965 debut album "Lightfoot!" ushered in a new folk voice and by the turn of the decade he eased rather effortlessly into the pop scene, making his first appearance on the Billboard chart with 1971's "If You Could Read My Mind."
Lightfoot's popularity peaked in the mid-1970s when both his single and album "Sundown" topped Billboard -- his first and only time doing so.
But his chart positions did little to slow him down in the final decades of his career when he built a reputation as one of the stalwart road musicians, in spite of various health challenges.
I believe the song was a big reason why he became tied to the families who lost someone in that wreck. It was a haunting song to begin with. It wasn’t until years later that I understood the actual event he was singing about. That just made it even more haunting. RIP Gordon.
Alberta Bound was my favorite Gord song. I always associate it with the trip we made to Banff years ago.
From Lightfoot’s “80 Years Strong” tour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-R4grsfw5k
Still doin’ what he loved, at 80!!!
His music was legendary. RIP Mr. Lightfoot.
I’ve been to a lot of concerts over the last five decades. There are a number of great performers / bands that I’ve regretted never seeing. Gordon Lightfoot was definitely on that list. Rest in peace, Sir.
“If You Could Read My Mind”
“Rainy Day People”
“Sundown”
The first two I like very much. R.I.P.
All good ones. I missed my chance to see him when he performed locally some years back.
One of my all time favorites also. Edmund Fitzgerald. RIP
CANADIAN RAILROAD TRILOGY
Is, in my mind, one of the great conservative anthems.
Yeah, that was a stunner when Elvis passed.
I wonder how many musicians out there worldwide, working in genres much different from Lightfoot's folk music, count Gordon among their inspirations?
“If You Could Read My Mind” was the first song I learned to play on the guitar.
IMO, one of the very best guitar ballads ever written.
Oh, and my very first song I learned to sing and play was “Rocky Racoon”.
Does that date me? >grin<
she was driving across the canada-america bridge?
Did she mention my name?
https://youtu.be/VfPZUKHYEh8
My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song is “Too Late for Prayin.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxMguACqa0k
The guitar/strings ending is incredible.
he was truly a treasure.....
may he rest in peace, dear singer/songwriter....
“Canadian Trilogy” was epic...as was the “Edmund Fitzgerald”....
The legend lives on.
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