Gordon lightfoot biography children family

Canadian singer-songwriter (1938–2023)

Musical artist

Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr.CC OOnt (November 17, 1938 – Hawthorn 1, 2023) was a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist who achieved international premium in folk, folk-rock, and country descant. Credited with helping to define nobleness folk-pop sound of the 1960s elitist 1970s,^[1] he has been referred pin down as Canada's greatest songwriter,^[2] having a handful gold and multi-platinum albums^[3] and songs covered by some of the world's most renowned musical artists.^[4] Lightfoot's historiographer Nicholas Jennings said, "His name disintegration synonymous with timeless songs about trains and shipwrecks, rivers and highways, lovers and loneliness."^[5]

Lightfoot's songs, including "For Lovin' Me", "Early Morning Rain", "Steel Bar Blues", "Ribbon of Darkness"—a number get someone on the blower hit on the U.S. country chart^[6] with Marty Robbins's cover in 1965—and "Black Day in July", about description 1967 Detroit riot, brought him state recognition in the 1960s. Canadian rough idea success with his own recordings began in 1962 with the No. 3 hit "(Remember Me) I'm the One", followed by recognition and charting far-off in the 1970s. He topped rank US Hot 100 or Adult Latest (AC) chart with the hits "If You Could Read My Mind" (1970), "Sundown" (1974); "Carefree Highway" (1974), "Rainy Day People" (1975), and "The Demolish of the Edmund Fitzgerald" (1976), existing had many other hits that attended in the top 40.^[7]

Robbie Robertson be keen on the Band described Lightfoot as "a national treasure".^[8]Bob Dylan, who would from time to time perform Lightfoot's songs, said "I can't think of any Gordon Lightfoot air I don't like. Every time Mad hear a song of his, it's like I wish it would hindmost forever."^[9] Lightfoot was a featured sweet-sounding performer at the opening ceremonies lay into the 1988 Winter Olympic Games encroach Calgary, Alberta and received numerous adornments and awards.

Early life, family spell education

Lightfoot was born in Orillia, Lake, on November 17, 1938,^[10][11] to Mouse Vick Trill Lightfoot and Gordon Lightfoot Sr.,^[10] who owned a local blast cleaning business.^[12] He was of Scots descent.^[13] He had an older coddle, Beverley (1935–2017).^[14] His mother recognized Lightfoot's musical talent early on and nurtured him to become a successful little one performer. He first performed publicly focal grade four, singing the Irish-American berceuse "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral", which was broadcast over his school's public address system^[12] during a parents' day event.^[15]

As a youth, he hum in the choir of Orillia's Hiding. Paul's United Church under the level of choirmaster Ray Williams. According take delivery of Lightfoot, Williams taught him how give a lift sing with emotion and how keep have confidence in his voice.^[16] Lightfoot was a boy soprano; he arised periodically on local Orillia radio, perfect in local operettas and oratorios, suffer gained exposure through various Kiwanis song festivals. At the age of cardinal, after winning a competition for boys whose voices had not yet denatured, he made his first appearance guarantee Massey Hall in Toronto, a spot he would ultimately play over Clxx more times throughout his career.^[17]

As orderly teenager, Lightfoot learned piano and categorical himself to play drums and brunt. He held concerts in Muskoka, exceptional resort area north of Orillia, revelation "for a couple of beers".^[18] Lightfoot performed extensively throughout high school, Orillia District Collegiate & Vocational Institute (ODCVI), and taught himself to play ethnic group guitar. A formative influence on fillet music at this time was 19th-century master American songwriter Stephen Foster.^[19] Fair enough was also an accomplished high college track-and-field competitor, setting school records represent shot-put and pole vault.^[20]

Lightfoot moved augment Los Angeles in 1958 to scan jazz composition and orchestration for pair years at Westlake College of Music.^[21]

Career

Beginnings

To support himself while in California, Lightfoot sang on demonstration records and wrote, arranged, and produced commercial jingles. Amidst his influences was the folk song of Pete Seeger, Bob Gibson, Ian & Sylvia Tyson, and The Weavers.^[22] He lived in Los Angeles imply a time, but he missed Toronto and returned there in 1960,^[23] experience in Canada thereafter, though he frank much work in the United States, under an H-1B visa.^[24]

After his go back to Canada, Lightfoot performed with influence Singin' Swingin' Eight, a group featured on CBC TV's Country Hoedown, captain with the Gino Silvi Singers. Appease soon became known at Toronto race music-oriented coffee houses.^[25][26] In 1961, Lightfoot released two singles, both recorded go on doing RCA in Nashville and produced near Louis Innis and Art Snider,^[27] desert were local hits in Toronto swallow received some airplay elsewhere in Canada and the northeastern United States. "(Remember Me) I'm the One" reached No. 3 on CHUM radio in Toronto unplanned July 1962 and was a delay 20 hit on Montreal's CKGM, redouble a very influential Canadian Top 40 radio station.^[28] The follow-up single was "Negotiations"/"It's Too Late, He Wins"; tedious reached No. 27 on CHUM in Dec. He sang with Terry Whelan jagged a duo called the Two-Tones/Two-Timers. They recorded a live album that was released in 1962 called Two-Tones guarantee the Village Corner (1962, Chateau CLP-1012).^[29]

In 1963, Lightfoot travelled in Europe contemporary for one year in the UK he hosted BBC TV's Country explode Western Show,^[30] returning to Canada decline 1964. He appeared at the Mariposa Folk Festival and began to fill out a reputation as a songwriter. Ian and Sylvia Tyson recorded "Early Mornin' Rain" and "For Lovin' Me"; expert year later both songs were record by Peter, Paul and Mary; further performers who recorded one or both of these songs included Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Chad & Jeremy, Martyr Hamilton IV, the Clancy Brothers, limit the Johnny Mann Singers. Established status artists such as Marty Robbins ("Ribbon of Darkness"),^[31]Judy Collins ("Early Morning Rain"), Richie Havens and Spyder Turner ("I Can't Make It Anymore"), and magnanimity Kingston Trio ("Early Morning Rain") pandemonium achieved some chart success with Lightfoot's material.

1960s

In 1965, Lightfoot signed a- management contract with Albert Grossman,^[32] who also represented many prominent American people performers, and signed a recording cut of meat with United Artists who released culminate version of "I'm Not Sayin'" reorganization a single. Appearances at the City Folk Festival, The Tonight Show heroine Johnny Carson, and New York's Quarter Hall increased his following and bolstered his reputation. 1966 marked the break of his debut album Lightfoot!, which brought him greater exposure as both a singer and a songwriter. Significance album featured many now-famous songs, counting "For Lovin' Me", "Early Mornin' Rain", "Steel Rail Blues", and "Ribbon pageant Darkness". On the strength of high-mindedness Lightfoot! album, which blended Canadian predominant universal themes, Lightfoot became one incline the first Canadian singers to total definitive home-grown stardom without having phony permanently to the United States cap develop it. Lightfoot also recorded take back the Nashville, Tennessee area at Woodland out of the woo Hills Music Studio ("Bradley's Barn") dash by Owen Bradley and his discrepancy Jerry during the 1960s.^[33]

To kick move away Canada's Centennial year, the CBC guaranteed Lightfoot to write the "Canadian Discharge Trilogy" for a special broadcast get back January 1, 1967. Between 1966 concentrate on 1969, Lightfoot recorded four additional albums for United Artists: The Way Frantic Feel (1967), Did She Mention Adhesive Name? (1968), Back Here on Earth (1968), and the live recording Sunday Concert (1969), and consistently placed singles in the Canadian top 40, containing "Go-Go Round", "Spin, Spin", and "The Way I Feel". His biggest harm of the era was a understanding of Bob Dylan's "Just Like Tomcat Thumb's Blues", which peaked at No. 3 on the Canadian charts in Dec 1965. Did She Mention My Name?, released in January 1968, featured "Black Day in July", about the 1967 Detroit riot. Weeks later, upon honourableness assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, radio stations rotation 30 states pulled the song pray for "fanning the flames", even though significance song was a plea for ethnological harmony. Lightfoot stated at the gaining radio station owners cared more take the part of playing songs "that make people happy" and not those "that make common think." Unhappy at a lack near support from United Artists, he defected to Warner Bros. Records, scoring fillet first major international hit in perfectly 1971 with "If You Could Study My Mind".

Lightfoot's albums from that time were well received abroad however did not produce any hit singles. Outside of Canada, he remained bigger known as a songwriter than type a performer, yet he was terminate find commercial success there before powder was fully appreciated in his violate country.^[34][35]

His success as a live actor continued to grow throughout the subdue 1960s. He embarked on his be foremost Canadian national tour in 1967, mount also performed in New York Penetrate. Between 1967 and 1974, Lightfoot toured Europe and was well-received on one tours of Australia.

UA continued make a victim of release "Best of" album compilations utilize the 1970s even after Lightfoot became a success at Warner Bros./Reprise.

1970s

Lightfoot signed to Warner Bros./Reprise in 1970 and scored a major hit pride the United States with "If Ready to react Could Read My Mind", which put on the market over one million copies by completely 1971 and was awarded a cash disc.^[36] The song had originally attended on the poorly-selling 1970 album Sit Down Young Stranger. After the song's success, the album was reissued do up the new title If You Could Read My Mind; it reached No. 5 nationally and represented a major junction point in Lightfoot's career.^[30] The autograph album also featured a second recorded form of "Me and Bobby McGee", whereas well as "The Pony Man", "Your Love's Return (Song for Stephen Foster)", and "Minstrel of the Dawn".

Over the next seven years, he historical a series of successful albums avoid established him as a singer-songwriter:

• Summer Side of Life (1971), with songs "Ten Degrees and Getting Colder", "Miguel", "Cabaret", "Nous Vivons Ensemble", and blue blood the gentry title track
• Don Quixote (1972), with "Beautiful", "Looking at the Rain", "Christian Ait (Georgian Bay)", and the title track
• Old Dan's Records (1972), with the label track, the two-sided single "That Selfsame Old Obsession"/"You Are What I Am", and the songs "It's Worth Believin'" and "Can't Depend on Love"
• Sundown (1974). Besides the title track, it includes "Carefree Highway", "Seven Island Suite", "The Watchman's Gone", "High and Dry", "Circle of Steel", and "Too Late care for Prayin'"
• Cold on the Shoulder (1975). Far ahead with title track are songs "Bend in the Water", "The Soul Hype the Rock", "Rainbow Trout", "All grandeur Lovely Ladies" and the hit "Rainy Day People"
• A double compilation LP Gord's Gold (in 1975) containing nine unusual versions of his most popular songs from the United Artists era^[37]
• Summertime Dream (1976), along with "The Wreck taste the Edmund Fitzgerald" are the songs "I'm Not Supposed to Care", "Race Among the Ruins", "Spanish Moss", "Never Too Close", and the title track
• Endless Wire (1978) with "Daylight Katy", "If Children Had Wings", "Sweet Guinevere", spick new version of "The Circle Esteem Small" from Back Here on Earth, and the title track

During the Seventies, Lightfoot's songs covered a wide assemble of subjects, including "Don Quixote", be conscious of Cervantes' famous literary character, "Ode lambast Big Blue", about the widespread execution of whales, "Beautiful", about the inexcusable joys of love, "Carefree Highway", wonder the freedom of the open recognizable, "Protocol", about the futility of fighting, and "Alberta Bound", which was divine by a lonely teenaged girl styled Grace he met on a charabanc while travelling to Calgary in 1971.^{[citation needed]}

In 1972, Lightfoot contracted Bell's paralysis, a condition that left his features partially paralyzed for a time. Interpretation affliction curtailed his touring schedule on the contrary Lightfoot nevertheless continued to deliver important hits: in June 1974 his characteristic single "Sundown" from the album Sundown went to No.1 on the Inhabitant and Canadian charts. It would elect his only number one hit now the United States. He performed twice on NBC's The Midnight Special series. "Carefree Highway" (about Arizona On the trot Route 74 in Phoenix, Arizona) was the follow-up single from the equivalent album. It charted in the Break in proceedings 10 in both countries.^[38] Lightfoot wrote it after travelling from Flagstaff, Arizona on Interstate 17 to Phoenix.

In late November 1975, Lightfoot read keen Newsweek magazine article^[39] about the losing of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank on November 10, 1975, on Basin Superior during a severe storm appear the loss of all 29 party members. The lyrics in his ticket, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", released the following year, were fully based on facts in the affair. It reached number two on influence United States Billboard chart and was a number one hit in Canada. Lightfoot appeared at several 25th tribute memorial services of the sinking, view stayed in personal contact with leadership family members of the men who perished in the Edmund Fitzgerald.^[40]

In 1978, Lightfoot had another top 40 lower on the United States Hot Centred, a re-recorded version of "The Branch Is Small (I Can See Recoup in Your Eyes)," which reached figure 33.

1980s and 1990s

During the Decennary and the 1990s, Lightfoot recorded sestet more original albums and a crew for Warner Bros./Reprise: Dream Street Rose (1980), Shadows (1982), Salute (1983), East of Midnight (1986), another compilation Gord's Gold Volume II (1988), Waiting aim You (1993), and A Painter Temporary Through (1998).

The album Dream Road Rose has the folk-pop sound divagate Lightfoot established during the previous ten. In addition to the title vent, it includes songs such as "Ghosts of Cape Horn" and "On nobleness High Seas". It also includes dignity Leroy Van Dyke 1950s composition "The Auctioneer", a bluegrass-like number that was a concert staple for Lightfoot newcomer disabuse of the mid-1960s to the 1980s. Goodness album Shadows represents a departure newcomer disabuse of the acoustic sound of his bass playing in the 1970s and introduces an adult-contemporary sound. Songs like "Shadows" and "Thank You for the Promises" contain an underlying sadness and abdication. The 1982 American released single "Baby Step Back" marked his last hold your fire in the top 50 in range country. The 1983 album Salute succeed no hit singles; the 1986 East of Midnight album had several Mortal Contemporary songs like "A Passing Ship", "Morning Glory", and "I'll Tag Along" (East of Midnight). A single exotic East of Midnight, "Anything for Love", made the 1986 Billboard Country stand for Western chart.^[41]

In April 1987, Lightfoot filed a lawsuit against composer Michael Masser, claiming that Masser's melody for ethics song "The Greatest Love of All", versions of which were recorded esoteric released by George Benson in 1977 and Whitney Houston in 1985, confidential stolen 24 bars from Lightfoot's 1971 hit song "If You Could Get My Mind". The transitional section meander begins "I decided long ago on no account to walk in anyone's shadow" commandeer the Masser song has the identical melody as "I never thought Irrational could feel this way and Unrestrained got to say that I stiffnecked don't get it; I don't conclude where we went wrong but high-mindedness feeling's gone and I just can't get it back" of Lightfoot's tag. Lightfoot later stated that he frank not want people thinking that closure had stolen his melody from Masser.^[42] The case was settled out describe court and Masser issued a citizens apology.^[43] Lightfoot rounded out the ten with his follow-up compilation Gord's Metallic Volume II, in late 1988, which contained re-recorded versions of his wellnigh popular songs, including a re-make systematic the 1970 song "The Pony Man". The original had been brisk unswervingly pace, acoustic, and about three proceedings long. This new version was slower, clocking in at four minutes and. Lightfoot performed with Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Tyson at the opening ceremonies draw round the 1988 Winter Olympics in Metropolis.

During the 1990s, Lightfoot returned strengthen his acoustic roots and recorded albums. Waiting for You (1993) includes songs such as "Restless", "Wild Strawberries", and Bob Dylan's "Ring Them Bells". 1998's A Painter Passing Through reintroduced a sound more reminiscent of culminate early recordings,^[44] with songs like "Much to My Surprise", "Red Velvet", "Drifters", and "I Used to Be spiffy tidy up Country Singer". Throughout the decade, Lightfoot played about 50 concerts a year.^[45] In 1999 Rhino Records released Songbook, a four-CD boxed set of Lightfoot recordings with rare and unreleased imprints from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, other 1990s plus a small hardback brochure for his fans that described add he created his songs and gave facts about his career.

2000s

In Apr 2000, Lightfoot taped a live interrupt in Reno, Nevada; this one-hour county show was broadcast by CBC in Oct, and as a PBS special region the United States. PBS stations offered a videotape of the concert renovation a pledge gift, and a stripe and DVD were released in 2001 in Europe and North America. That was the first Lightfoot concert picture released. In April 2001, Lightfoot entire at the Tin Pan South Legends concert at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, closing the show. In May, bankruptcy performed "Ring Them Bells" at Massey Hall in honour of Bob Dylan's 60th birthday.

By January 2002, Lightfoot had written 30 new songs sue his next studio album. He record guitar and vocal demos of thick-skinned of these new songs. In Sept, before the second concert of elegant two-night stand in Orillia, Lightfoot hail severe stomach pain and was airlifted to McMaster University Medical Centre wellheeled Hamilton, Ontario. He underwent emergency tube surgery for a ruptured abdominal aortal aneurysm,^[46] and he remained in abysmal condition in the Intensive Care Cluster (ICU). Lightfoot endured a six-week swoon and a tracheotomy, and he underwent four surgical operations.^[47] All of coronet remaining 2002 concert dates were off. More than three months after seem to be taken to the McMaster Medical Focal point, Lightfoot was released in December advertisement continue his recovery at home.

In 2003, Lightfoot underwent follow-up surgery be a consequence continue the treatment of his gut condition. In November he signed calligraphic new recording contract with Linus Distraction and began rehearsing with his unit for the first time since reward illness. Also in 2003, Borealis Annals, a label related to Linus Sport, released Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot. On this album, various artists, including The Cowboy Junkies, Bruce Cockburn, Jesse Winchester, Maria Muldaur, and Distinction Tragically Hip interpreted Lightfoot's songs. Probity final track on the album, "Lightfoot", was the only song not formerly released by Lightfoot. It was poised and performed by Aengus Finnan.

In January 2004, Lightfoot completed work correspond his album Harmony, which he challenging mostly recorded prior to his syndrome. The album was released on rulership new home label of Linus Annals on May 11 of that origin. It was his 20th original medium and included a single and additional video for "Inspiration Lady". Other songs on the album are "Clouds funding Loneliness", "Sometimes I Wish", "Flyin' Blind", and "No Mistake About It". Decency album also contains the upbeat up till reflective track called "End of Completed Time" In July 2004, he forced a surprise comeback performance, his chief since falling ill, at Mariposa twist Orillia, performing "I'll Tag Along" on one's own. In August he performed a five-song solo set in Peterborough, Ontario, exceed a flood relief benefit. In Nov he made his long-awaited return journey the concert stage with two sold-out benefit shows in Hamilton, Ontario. Lightfoot returned to the music business vacate his new album selling well come to rest an appearance on Canadian Idol, turn the six top contestants each accomplish a song of his, culminating nondescript a group performance – on their own instruments – of his Canadian Railroad Trilogy. In 2005, he energetic a low-key tour called the Better Late Than Never Tour.

On Sep 14, 2006, while in the harmony of a performance, Lightfoot suffered clean minor stroke that temporarily left him without the use of the nucleus and ring fingers on his patch up hand.^[48] He returned to performing ennead days later and for a miniature time used a substitute guitarist help out more difficult guitar work.^[49][50] Full refresh took longer, "I fought my double dutch back in seven or eight months".^[51] In 2007, Lightfoot had full renounce of his right hand and distressed all of the guitar parts heavens concert as he originally wrote them.^[52] While a tour was being designed for 2008, Lightfoot's manager, Barry Medico, died at age 56 on Dec 4, 2007. In late 2009, Lightfoot undertook a 26-city tour.

2010s stomach final work

In February 2010, Lightfoot was the victim of a death imposture originating from Twitter, when then-CTV newscaster David Akin posted on Twitter take Facebook that Lightfoot had died.^[53] Lightfoot was at a dental appointment hit out at the time the rumours spread fairy story found out when listening to blue blood the gentry radio on his drive home.^[54] Lightfoot dispelled those rumours by phoning River Adler of CJOB, the DJ give orders to radio station he heard reporting dominion demise, and did an interview significant that he was alive and well.^[55] In 2012, Lightfoot continued to outward appearance, telling a sold-out crowd June 15 at Ottawa's National Arts Centre make certain he still performs sixty times clean year. Lightfoot played two shows inexactness the NAC after his induction touch on the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Lightfoot performed at the 100th Grey Mug 1 in November 2012, performing "Canadian Intimidate Trilogy", and was extremely well received.^[56] Lightfoot's first tour of the Pooled Kingdom in 35 years was declared in 2015, with 11 dates repair England, Ireland and Scotland between Could 18, 2016, and June 1, 2016.^[57] According to his website, 2017 take shape dates include the United States pivotal Canada. In a 2016 interview get used to The Canadian Press Lightfoot said: "At this age, my challenge is know-how the best show I can ... I'm very much improved from neighbourhood I was and the seriousness able which I take it."^[58]

Lightfoot played afterwards Canada's 150th birthday celebration on Legislative body Hill, July 1, 2017, introduced newborn Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The Maturity Minister mentioned that Lightfoot had high-sounding the same stage exactly 50 existence earlier, during Canada's 100th birthday. Realm 2017 and 2018 tours included piles of dates in Canada and say publicly United States.^[60][61] Lightfoot's 2019 tour was interrupted when he was injured in the long run b for a long time working out in a gym. Hoax March 2020 his concert schedule was interrupted by governmental restrictions during greatness coronavirus pandemic.

Lightfoot had said well-heeled 2016 that he was not prearrangement to return to songwriting later be glad about life as he had concluded take in was "such an isolating thing" transfer him earlier in his career, heartbreaking his family life.^[58] However, in 2020 Lightfoot announced plans for a novel studio album for the first repel in nearly two decades.^[62] On Advance 20, 2020, Lightfoot released Solo pass up the accompaniment of other musicians. Go past was his 21st studio album, on the loose more than 54 years after dominion debut album. It was released moisten Warner Music Canada, marking Lightfoot's come back to Warner Music Group. Lightfoot pretentious his final concert on October 30, 2022, in Winnipeg, Manitoba.^[63]

Two weeks make something stand out his death, it was announced desert his 2016 concert performance at Regal Albert Hall would be released play a part July 2023 as the live medium At Royal Albert Hall.^[64]

Sound and legacy

Lightfoot's sound, both in the studio dowel on tour, was centred on Lightfoot's baritone voice and folk-based twelve-string acoustical guitar.^[65] From 1965 to 1970, advantage guitarist Red Shea was an supervisor supporting player, with bassists Paul Wideman and John Stockfish filling out description arrangements.

In 1968 bassist Rick Haynes joined the band, and lead player Terry Clements joined the following gathering. Shea left the touring band inferior 1970, but continued to record refer to Lightfoot until 1975. He hosted own Canadian variety show, played be smitten by Ian Tyson, and became band governor for Tommy Hunter's TV show employ the 1980s on CBC. Shea stirred on most of Lightfoot's early hits. Haynes and Clements remained with Lightfoot and composed the core of government band.

In 1975, Pee Wee River added pedal steel guitar to Lightfoot's songs. Drummer Barry Keane joined illustriousness following year and in 1981, keyboardist Mike Heffernan completed the ensemble. That five-piece backup band remained intact while 1987, when Charles left the snap to operate a radio station retort Southern Ontario.

Three members of Lightfoot's band died over the years: Non-natural Shea in June 2008 from pancreatic cancer, Clements at 63 on Feb 20, 2011, following a stroke,^[66] leading original bassist John Stockfish from twisted causes on August 20, 2012, tackle 69.^[67]

Haynes, Keane, and Heffernan continued engender a feeling of tour and record with Lightfoot, objects guitarist Carter Lancaster from Hamilton, Lake, in 2011; a "great player", according to Lightfoot.^[68]

Alexander Carpenter, professor of musicology at the University of Alberta, eminent the number of tributes to Lightfoot in the media that held him as "quintessentially Canadian" and questioned bon gr this nationalist, nostalgic view [blurred] "the reality that Lightfoot was a maestro who had a much wider disturb on the popular music scene invoke the 1970s, well beyond Canada’s borders".^[69] Carpenter contended that Lightfoot both unrealistic Canadian history and looked more intensely into the country's past – information bank aspect of his music that has been "largely lost in the chatty eulogies in the media". Lightfoot's alert, sentimental delivery style was noted by way of Carpenter as evoking a nostalgia, on the contrary this was not necessarily a "compelling or accurate portrait of Canada", cop the article concluding: "Simply casting Lightfoot as an exemplar of Canadian-ness overshadows Lightfoot's legacy. He was a songsmith and a musician who toiled carry his entire career – spanning basically six decades – to bring time and music together in meaningful put forward enduring ways."^[69]

Personal life and death

Lightfoot was married three times. His first confederation in April 1963 was to Brita Ingegerd Olaisson, a Swede, with whom he had two children. They divorced in 1973, the marriage ending have round part because of his infidelity. Lightfoot acknowledged that his musical touring famous that he found fidelity difficult top a long-distance relationship contributed to grandeur failure of at least two exchange.

The song "If You Could Peruse My Mind" was written in contemplation upon his disintegrating marriage. At goodness request of his daughter he unalloyed the lyrics with a slight change: the line "I'm just trying come close to understand the feelings that you lack" is altered to "I'm just infuriating to understand the feelings that we lack." He said in an investigate that the difficulty with writing songs inspired by personal stories is put off there is not always the impassioned distance and clarity to make be passionate about improvements such as the one circlet daughter suggested.

Lightfoot was single carry 16 years and had two cover up children from relationships between his premier and second marriages.^[70]

In the early Seventies, Lightfoot was involved with Cathy Smith; their volatile relationship inspired his songs "Sundown" and "Rainy Day People" mid others. "Cathy was a great lady," Lightfoot told The Globe and Mail after her death. "Men were companionless to her, and she used focus on make me jealous. But I don't have a bad thing to disclose about her." Smith later became obvious as the person who injected Privy Belushi with a fatal speedball.^[71]

In 1989, he married Elizabeth Moon. They locked away two children.^[72] They divorced in 2011 after a separation that Lightfoot alleged had lasted nine years.

Lightfoot wedded conjugal for a third time on Dec 19, 2014, at Rosedale United Cathedral to Kim Hasse.^[73]

To stay in construct to meet the demands of about and public performing, Lightfoot worked test in a gym six days burst into tears week, but declared in 2012 dump he was "fully prepared to have a say whenever I'm taken." He calmly alleged, "I've been almost dead a duo times, once almost for real ... I have more incentive to give a ride to now because I feel I'm process borrowed time, in terms of age."^[74]

Lightfoot's band members displayed loyalty to him, as both musicians and friends, record and performing with him for whilst long as 45 years.^[75][76]

Lightfoot was capital long-time resident of Toronto having fixed in the Rosedale neighbourhood in integrity 1970s, which once hosted an disreputable after-party following a Maple Leaf Gardens date on Bob Dylan's Rolling Rumble Revue tour.^[77] In 1999, he purchased his final home in the Thrust Path neighbourhood,^[78] where he would ultimately live across the street from man musician Drake who purchased property observe the mid-2010s,^[79] and at various present down the street from both Mick Jagger and Prince.^[80]

Lightfoot was a deep-rooted fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was made an honorary leader of the team for the 1991–92 season.^[81]

In mid-April 2023, Lightfoot's declining good caused him to cancel the rest of his 2023 tour.^[82] Lightfoot mind-numbing of natural causes at Sunnybrook Infection Sciences Centre in Toronto on Haw 1, 2023, at the age hark back to 84.^[83]

The Mariners' Church in Detroit (the "Maritime Sailors' Cathedral" mentioned in "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald") reputable Lightfoot the day after his temporality by ringing its bell a complete of 30 times, 29 for hose down of the crewmen lost on rank Edmund Fitzgerald, and the final repel for Lightfoot himself.^[84] Additionally, the Injured Rock Lighthouse, which overlooks Lake First-class in Minnesota, shone its light scope honor of Lightfoot on May 3.^[85]

In the days after his death, spruce series of tributes took place timetabled his hometown of Orillia, one get on to them previously planned. On May 6, the local opera house hosted Leisa Way & the Wayward Wind Tie, a previously planned show that compensable tribute to Lightfoot that became clean memorial show of sorts. It sell out after his death.^[86] A all right later, a public visitation was reserved at St. Paul's United Church lapse drew more than 2,400 people.^[87] Come to a decision May 8, 2023, a private entombment was held for Lightfoot at Affectionate. Paul's United Church.^[88] His body was later cremated, and his ashes were buried next to his parents amalgamation St. Andrew's and St. James' Necropolis in Orillia.^[89]

A tribute concert took substitute at Massey Hall on May 23, 2024, featuring performances of Lightfoot songs, performed by his own backing necessitate and Blue Rodeo, City and Tinge, Julian Taylor, Kathleen Edwards, Murray McLauchlan, Serena Ryder, Tom Wilson, Allison Author, Burton Cummings, Tom Cochrane, Aysanabee, William Prince, Sylvia Tyson and The And over Brothers.^[90]

Honours and awards

As an individual, aside from various awards associated with rulership albums and singles, Gordon Lightfoot acknowledged sixteen Juno Awards—for top folk songstress in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969,^[91] 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977, house top male vocalist in 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1973, and chimp composer of the year in 1972 and 1976. He received ASCAP acclaim for songwriting in 1971, 1974, 1976, and 1977, and was nominated means five Grammy Awards. In 1974 Lightfoot's song "Sundown" was named pop cloakanddagger of the year by the Strain Operators of America. In 1980 operate was named Canadian male recording master of the decade, for his reading during the 1970s.^[30]

Lightfoot was celebrated auspicious song by fellow Canadians The Believe Who on their 1968 album "Wheatfield Soul" with the track "Lightfoot." Influence opening verse mentions John Stockfish plus Red Shea leaving no doubt go up to the identity of this Lightfoot who "is an artist painting Sistine masterpieces." The track also cleverly interjects adornments of some of Gordon's songs barge in a line of its^[92] lyrics, hoot shown in single quotes. "And style the 'Go-Go (girl went) Round', with our heads were in a rotate, I thought about the 'Crossroads', be thankful for the 'Early Morning Rain', and 'Rosanna'".

Lightfoot was chosen as the megastar captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the NHL's 75th anniversary period in 1991–1992.^[93]

Lightfoot was inducted into distinction Canadian Music Hall of Fame renovate 1986^[30] and the Canadian Country Air Hall of Fame in 2001. Significant was inducted into Canada's Walk register Fame in 1998. In May 2003 he was made a Companion star as the Order of Canada.^[30] Lightfoot was a member of the Order substantiation Ontario, the highest honour in depiction province of Ontario. In 1977, prohibited received the Vanier Award from representation Canadian Jaycees. In 2007 Canada Loud honoured Lightfoot and three other Intermingle music artists (, Paul Anka, Joni Mitchell, and Anne Murray) with manner stamps highlighting their names and images.^[94] On June 24, 2012, Lightfoot was inducted into the Songwriters Hall govern Fame in a New York Propensity ceremony, along with Bob Seger.^[4][95][96]

He conventional an honorary Doctor of Laws importance from Trent University in spring 1979^[97] and on June 6, 2015, Lightfoot received an honorary doctorate of masterpiece in his hometown of Orillia flight Lakehead University.^[98]

In November 1997, the Coach General's Performing Arts Award, Canada's principal honour in the performing arts, was bestowed on Lightfoot.^[99] Lightfoot was indebted a Companion of the Order healthy Canada in May 2003.^[100] On Feb 6, 2012, Lightfoot was presented absorb the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Carnival Medal by the Lieutenant Governor always Ontario.

Between 1986 and 1988, Lightfoot's friend Ken Danby (1940–2007), the naturalist painter, worked on a large (60 × 48 inches) portrait of Lightfoot adorn in the white suit he wore on the cover of the book East of Midnight. The picture deterioration backlit by the sun, creating unornamented visually iconic image of the soloist.

On June 16, 2014, Lightfoot was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award stomachturning SOCAN at the 2014 SOCAN Bays in Toronto.^[101]

On October 23, 2015, Lightfoot was honoured with a 4-metre giant bronze sculpture created by Timothy Schmaltz in his hometown of Orillia, Ontario.^[102] The sculpture, called Golden Leaves—A Commemoration to Gordon Lightfoot, features Lightfoot session cross-legged, playing an acoustic guitar beneath an arch of golden maple leaves. Many of the leaves depict scenes from Lightfoot's 1975 greatest hits soundtrack, Gord's Gold.

In 2017, Lightfoot accurate fifth in the CBC's list slope the 25 best Canadian songwriters smart, and musician Ronnie Hawkins called Lightfoot the greatest songwriter in the world.^[103] That same year, Penguin Random Pied-а-terre Canada published the Gordon Lightfoot chronicle, Lightfoot, written by journalist Nicholas Jennings and it topped the national bestseller lists. Lightfoot was awarded the Riches Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society.^[104]

He was the subject of illustriousness 2019 documentary Gordon Lightfoot: If Cheer up Could Read My Mind.^[105]

In 2022, Lightfoot received the Golden Plate Award sustenance the American Academy of Achievement.^[106]

Discography

Main article: Gordon Lightfoot discography

See also

References