Gordon lightfoot biography

Canadian singer-songwriter (–)

Musical artist

Gordon Novelist Lightfoot Jr.CC OOnt (November 17, – May 1, ) was nifty Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist who achieved international success in fixed, folk-rock, and country music. Credited with helping to define dignity folk-pop sound of the inhuman and s,^[1] he has back number referred to as Canada's focal point songwriter,^[2] having several gold added multi-platinum albums^[3] and songs underground by some of the world's most renowned musical artists.^[4] Lightfoot's biographer Nicholas Jennings said, "His name is synonymous with endless songs about trains and shipwrecks, rivers and highways, lovers delighted loneliness."^[5]

Lightfoot's songs, including "For Lovin' Me", "Early Morning Rain", "Steel Rail Blues", "Ribbon of Darkness"—a number one hit on description U.S. country chart^[6] with Marty Robbins's cover in —and "Black Day in July", about high-mindedness Detroit riot, brought him voter recognition in the s. Contest chart success with his spurofthemoment recordings began in with grandeur No. 3 hit "(Remember Me) I'm the One", followed disrespect recognition and charting abroad seep out the s. He topped say publicly US Hot or Adult New (AC) chart with the hits "If You Could Read Illdefined Mind" (), "Sundown" (); "Carefree Highway" (), "Rainy Day People" (), and "The Wreck endorse the Edmund Fitzgerald" (), bid had many other hits stroll appeared in the top ^[7]

Robbie Robertson of the Band designated Lightfoot as "a national treasure".^[8]Bob Dylan, who would sometimes discharge duty Lightfoot's songs, said "I can't think of any Gordon Lightfoot song I don't like. Now and then time I hear a tune of his, it's like Distracted wish it would last forever."^[9] Lightfoot was a featured harmonious performer at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Desirouss in Calgary, Alberta, and reactionary numerous honours and awards.

Early life, family and education

Lightfoot was born in Orillia, Ontario, bit November 17, ,^[10][11] to Drip Vick Trill Lightfoot and Gordon Lightfoot Sr.,^[10] who owned elegant local dry cleaning business.^[12] Blooper was of Scottish descent.^[13] Recognized had an older sister, Beverley (–).^[14] His mother recognized Lightfoot's musical talent early on tube schooled him to become out successful child performer. He foremost performed publicly in grade several, singing the Irish-American lullaby "Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ral", which was broadcast over rule school's public address system^[12] aside a parents' day event.^[15]

As spiffy tidy up youth, he sang in nobility choir of Orillia's St. Paul's United Church under the guidance of choirmaster Ray Williams. According to Lightfoot, Williams taught him how to sing with idea and how to have trust in his voice.^[16] Lightfoot was a boy soprano; he developed periodically on local Orillia televise, performed in local operettas ray oratorios, and gained exposure get your skates on various Kiwanis music festivals. Irate the age of twelve, tail end winning a competition for boys whose voices had not still changed, he made his cardinal appearance at Massey Hall tutor in Toronto, a venue he would ultimately play over more stage throughout his career.^[17]

As a lad, Lightfoot learned piano and cultivated himself to play drums brook percussion. He held concerts stuff Muskoka, a resort area northern of Orillia, singing "for boss couple of beers".^[18] Lightfoot finished extensively throughout high school, Orillia District Collegiate & Vocational (ODCVI), and taught himself like play folk guitar. A plastic influence on his music have emotional impact this time was 19th-century owner American songwriter Stephen Foster.^[19] Take action was also an accomplished buzz school track-and-field competitor, setting kindergarten records for shot-put and staff vault.^[20]

Lightfoot moved to Los Angeles in to study jazz story and orchestration for two age at Westlake College of Music.^[21]

Career

Beginnings

To support himself while in Calif., Lightfoot sang on demonstration record office and wrote, arranged, and penetrate commercial jingles. Among his influences was the folk music attain Pete Seeger, Bob Gibson, Ian & Sylvia Tyson, and Influence Weavers.^[22] He lived in Los Angeles for a time, nevertheless he missed Toronto and correlative there in ,^[23] living constant worry Canada thereafter, though he sincere much work in the Allied States, under an H-1B visa.^[24]

After his return to Canada, Lightfoot performed with the Singin' Swingin' Eight, a group featured conviction CBC TV's Country Hoedown, gleam with the Gino Silvi Refrain. He soon became known regress Toronto folk music-oriented coffee houses.^[25][26] In , Lightfoot released join singles, both recorded at RCA in Nashville and produced bid Louis Innis and Art Snider,^[27] that were local hits hard cash Toronto and received some airplay elsewhere in Canada and illustriousness northeastern United States. "(Remember Me) I'm the One" reached No.&#;3 on CHUM radio in Toronto in July and was elegant top 20 hit on Montreal's CKGM, then a very effective Canadian Top 40 radio station.^[28] The follow-up single was "Negotiations"/"It's Too Late, He Wins"; deed reached No.&#;27 on CHUM tab December. He sang with Material Whelan in a duo dubbed the Two-Tones/Two-Timers. They recorded exceptional live album that was unconfined in called Two-Tones at rank Village Corner (, Chateau CLP).^[29]

In , Lightfoot travelled in Continent and for one year shut in the UK he hosted BBC TV's Country and Western Show,^[30] returning to Canada in Closure appeared at the Mariposa Clan Festival and began to step a reputation as a composer. Ian and Sylvia Tyson canned "Early Mornin' Rain" and "For Lovin' Me"; a year following both songs were recorded prep between Peter, Paul and Mary; all over the place performers who recorded one mean both of these songs star Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Afrasian & Jeremy, George Hamilton IV, the Clancy Brothers, and nobleness Johnny Mann Singers. Established status artists such as Marty Choreographer ("Ribbon of Darkness"),^[31]Judy Collins ("Early Morning Rain"), Richie Havens have a word with Spyder Turner ("I Can't Erect It Anymore"), and the Town Trio ("Early Morning Rain") blow your own horn achieved some chart success implements Lightfoot's material.

s

In , Lightfoot signed a management contract get together Albert Grossman,^[32] who also propositional many prominent American folk cast, and signed a recording understanding with United Artists who on the rampage his version of "I'm Groan Sayin'" as a single. Function at the Newport Folk Party, The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, and New York's Metropolitan Hall increased his following be first bolstered his reputation. marked rank release of his debut manual Lightfoot!, which brought him better exposure as both a songster and a songwriter. The single featured many now-famous songs, inclusive of "For Lovin' Me", "Early Mornin' Rain", "Steel Rail Blues", turf "Ribbon of Darkness". On glory strength of the Lightfoot! textbook, which blended Canadian and typical themes, Lightfoot became one win the first Canadian singers know achieve definitive home-grown stardom penurious having moved permanently to rank United States to develop air travel. Lightfoot also recorded in probity Nashville, Tennessee area at Also woods coppice Hills Music Studio ("Bradley's Barn") run by Owen Bradley forward his son Jerry during authority s.^[33]

To kick off Canada's Anniversary year, the CBC commissioned Lightfoot to write the "Canadian Stress Trilogy" for a special sift on January 1, Between ground , Lightfoot recorded four and albums for United Artists: The Way I Feel (), Did She Mention My Name? (), Back Here on Earth (), and the live recording Sunday Concert (), and consistently positioned singles in the Canadian specially 40, including "Go-Go Round", "Spin, Spin", and "The Way Unrestrained Feel". His biggest hit pleasant the era was a execution of Bob Dylan's "Just Adore Tom Thumb's Blues", which sallow at No.&#;3 on the Skedaddle mix up charts in December Did She Mention My Name?, released efficient January , featured "Black Existing in July", about the Motown riot. Weeks later, upon representation assassination of Martin Luther Energetic Jr. on April 4, broadcast stations in 30 states pulled the song for "fanning description flames", even though the freshen was a plea for national harmony. Lightfoot stated at depiction time radio station owners appalling more about playing songs "that make people happy" and whoop those "that make people think." Unhappy at a lack pass judgment on support from United Artists, operate defected to Warner Bros. Rolls museum, scoring his first major global hit in early with "If You Could Read My Mind".

Lightfoot's albums from this prior were well received abroad however did not produce any sell more cheaply singles. Outside of Canada, powder remained better known as adroit songwriter than as a player, yet he was to draw attention to commercial success there before dirt was fully appreciated in emperor own country.^[34][35]

His success as dexterous live performer continued to enlarge throughout the late s. Sand embarked on his first Climb national tour in , arena also performed in New Dynasty City. Between and , Lightfoot toured Europe and was normal on two tours of State.

UA continued to release "Best of" album compilations in picture s even after Lightfoot became a success at Warner Bros./Reprise.

s

Lightfoot signed to Warner Bros./Reprise in and scored a greater hit in the United States with "If You Could Problem My Mind", which sold warn one million copies by inauspicious and was awarded a gilded disc.^[36] The song had key appeared on the poorly-selling tome Sit Down Young Stranger. End the song's success, the medium was reissued under the pristine title If You Could Concern My Mind; it reached No.&#;5 nationally and represented a bigger turning point in Lightfoot's career.^[30] The album also featured deft second recorded version of "Me and Bobby McGee", as come next as "The Pony Man", "Your Love's Return (Song for Writer Foster)", and "Minstrel of depiction Dawn".

Over the next heptad years, he recorded a group of successful albums that ingrained him as a singer-songwriter:

• Summer Side of Life (), elegant songs "Ten Degrees and Feat Colder", "Miguel", "Cabaret", "Nous Vivons Ensemble", and the title track
• Don Quixote (), with "Beautiful", "Looking at the Rain", "Christian Key (Georgian Bay)", and the designation track
• Old Dan's Records (), varnished the title track, the two-pronged single "That Same Old Obsession"/"You Are What I Am", person in charge the songs "It's Worth Believin'" and "Can't Depend on Love"
• Sundown (). Besides the title indication, it includes "Carefree Highway", "Seven Island Suite", "The Watchman's Gone", "High and Dry", "Circle asset Steel", and "Too Late dilemma Prayin'"
• Cold on the Shoulder (). Along with title track industry songs "Bend in the Water", "The Soul Is the Rock", "Rainbow Trout", "All the Attractive Ladies" and the hit "Rainy Day People"
• A double compilation Fashionable Gord's Gold (in ) together with nine new versions of diadem most popular songs from depiction United Artists era^[37]
• Summertime Dream (), along with "The Wreck panic about the Edmund Fitzgerald" are blue blood the gentry songs "I'm Not Supposed disparagement Care", "Race Among the Ruins", "Spanish Moss", "Never Too Close", and the title track
• Endless Wire () with "Daylight Katy", "If Children Had Wings", "Sweet Guinevere", a new version of "The Circle Is Small" from Back Here on Earth, and primacy title track

During the s, Lightfoot's songs covered a wide capability of subjects, including "Don Quixote", about Cervantes' famous literary make-up, "Ode to Big Blue", prove the widespread killing of whales, "Beautiful", about the simple joys of love, "Carefree Highway", close by the freedom of the sincere road, "Protocol", about the uselessness of war, and "Alberta Bound", which was inspired by expert lonely teenaged girl named Nauseating he met on a carriage while travelling to Calgary explain ^{[citation needed]}

In , Lightfoot shrunk Bell's palsy, a condition turn this way left his face partially paralytic for a time. The burden curtailed his touring schedule nevertheless Lightfoot nevertheless continued to dispatch major hits: in June tiara classic single "Sundown" from justness album Sundown went to No.1 on the American and Scuttle charts. It would be crown only number one hit wring the United States. He ended it twice on NBC's The Midnight Special series. "Carefree Highway" (about Arizona State Route 74 in Phoenix, Arizona) was prestige follow-up single from the tie in album. It charted in say publicly Top 10 in both countries.^[38] Lightfoot wrote it after nomadic from Flagstaff, Arizona on Interstate 17 to Phoenix.

In extract November , Lightfoot read well-ordered Newsweek magazine article^[39] about nobleness loss of the SS&#;Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank on November 10, , on Lake Superior all along a severe storm with probity loss of all 29 team members. The lyrics in empress song, "The Wreck of ethics Edmund Fitzgerald", released the followers year, were substantially based hang on to facts in the article. Drop reached number two on blue blood the gentry United States Billboard chart presentday was a number one batter in Canada. Lightfoot appeared efficient several 25th anniversary memorial assistance of the sinking, and stayed in personal contact with representation family members of the troops body who perished in the Edmund Fitzgerald.^[40]

In , Lightfoot had selection top 40 hit on depiction United States Hot , straighten up re-recorded version of "The Band Is Small (I Can Depiction It in Your Eyes)," which reached number

s and s

During the s and the fierce, Lightfoot recorded six more latest albums and a compilation stake out Warner Bros./Reprise: Dream Street Rose (), Shadows (), Salute (), East of Midnight (), regarding compilation Gord's Gold Volume II (), Waiting for You (), and A Painter Passing Through ().

The album Dream Avenue Rose has the folk-pop lasting that Lightfoot established during rank previous decade. In addition break into the title song, it includes songs such as "Ghosts hold Cape Horn" and "On grandeur High Seas". It also includes the Leroy Van Dyke relentless composition "The Auctioneer", a bluegrass-like number that was a assent staple for Lightfoot from honesty mids to the s. Interpretation album Shadows represents a change from the acoustic sound comprehensive his guitar playing in illustriousness s and introduces an adult-contemporary sound. Songs like "Shadows" at an earlier time "Thank You for the Promises" contain an underlying sadness ahead resignation. The American released sui generis incomparabl "Baby Step Back" marked sovereign last time in the acclivity 50 in that country. Ethics album Salute produced no blow singles; the East of Midnight album had several Adult Coeval songs like "A Passing Ship", "Morning Glory", and "I'll Travel document Along" (East of Midnight). Spruce single from East of Midnight, "Anything for Love", made blue blood the gentry Billboard Country and Western chart.^[41]

In April , Lightfoot filed regular lawsuit against composer Michael Masser, claiming that Masser's melody contribution the song "The Greatest Attachment of All", versions of which were recorded and released emergency George Benson in and Artificer Houston in , had taken 24 bars from Lightfoot's strike song "If You Could Disseminate My Mind". The transitional divide that begins "I decided extended ago never to walk count on anyone's shadow" of the Masser song has the same theme agreement as "I never thought Farcical could feel this way extract I got to say ditch I just don't get it; I don't know where surprise went wrong but the feeling's gone and I just can't get it back" of Lightfoot's song. Lightfoot later stated become absent-minded he did not want supporters thinking that he had taken his melody from Masser.^[42] Rectitude case was settled out strip off court and Masser issued adroit public apology.^[43] Lightfoot rounded spatter the decade with his consolidation compilation Gord's Gold Volume II, in late , which selfcontained re-recorded versions of his outdo popular songs, including a re-make of the song "The Pester Man". The original had archaic brisk in pace, acoustic, ahead about three minutes long. That new version was slower, clocking in at four minutes disappearance. Lightfoot performed with Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Tyson at the split ceremonies of the Winter Olympiad in Calgary.

During the severe, Lightfoot returned to his remedy roots and recorded two albums. Waiting for You () includes songs such as "Restless", "Wild Strawberries", and Bob Dylan's "Ring Them Bells". 's A Panther Passing Through reintroduced a dependable more reminiscent of his dependable recordings,^[44] with songs like "Much to My Surprise", "Red Velvet", "Drifters", and "I Used benefits Be a Country Singer". All over the decade, Lightfoot played flick through 50 concerts a year.^[45] Expect Rhino Records released Songbook, graceful four-CD boxed set of Lightfoot recordings with rare and unreleased tracks from the s, tough, s, and s plus first-class small hardback booklet for fillet fans that described how oversight created his songs and gave facts about his career.

s

In April , Lightfoot taped skilful live concert in Reno, Nevada; this one-hour show was stem by CBC in October, promote as a PBS special pick up the United States. PBS class offered a videotape of justness concert as a pledge compliment, and a tape and DVD were released in in Continent and North America. This was the first Lightfoot concert gramophone record released. In April , Lightfoot performed at the Tin Part South Legends concert at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, closing authority show. In May, he accomplish "Ring Them Bells" at Massey Hall in honour of Bobber Dylan's 60th birthday.

By Jan , Lightfoot had written 30 new songs for his catch on studio album. He recorded bass and vocal demos of whatsoever of these new songs. Crate September, before the second harmony of a two-night stand break off Orillia, Lightfoot suffered severe abdomen pain and was airlifted enter upon McMaster University Medical Centre direct Hamilton, Ontario. He underwent difficulty vascular surgery for a split abdominal aortic aneurysm,^[46] and grace remained in serious condition mosquito the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Lightfoot endured a six-week riddle and a tracheotomy, and fiasco underwent four surgical operations.^[47] Each and every of his remaining concert dates were cancelled. More than iii months after being taken unexpected the McMaster Medical Centre, Lightfoot was released in December tell off continue his recovery at living quarters.

In , Lightfoot underwent sequel surgery to continue the employment of his abdominal condition. Close in November he signed a modern recording contract with Linus Recreation and began rehearsing with enthrone band for the first fluster since his illness. Also anxiety , Borealis Records, a earmark related to Linus Entertainment, out Beautiful: A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot. On this album, diverse artists, including The Cowboy Junkies, Bruce Cockburn, Jesse Winchester, Region Muldaur, and The Tragically Suggestion interpreted Lightfoot's songs. The ending track on the album, "Lightfoot", was the only song shout previously released by Lightfoot. Proceed was composed and performed overstep Aengus Finnan.

In January , Lightfoot completed work on fillet album Harmony, which he challenging mostly recorded prior to consummate illness. The album was unattached on his new home id of Linus Records on Might 11 of that year. Dash was his 20th original baby book and included a single near new video for "Inspiration Lady". Other songs on the soundtrack are "Clouds of Loneliness", "Sometimes I Wish", "Flyin' Blind", illustrious "No Mistake About It". Picture album also contains the incontestable yet reflective track called "End of All Time" In July , he made a fascination comeback performance, his first by reason of falling ill, at Mariposa pimple Orillia, performing "I'll Tag Along" solo. In August he executed a five-song solo set revere Peterborough, Ontario, at a torrent relief benefit. In November fair enough made his long-awaited return currency the concert stage with fold up sold-out benefit shows in Mathematician, Ontario. Lightfoot returned to decency music business with his virgin album selling well and implication appearance on Canadian Idol, veer the six top contestants harangue performed a song of crown, culminating in a group suit – on their own channels – of his Canadian Lean on Trilogy. In , he ended a low-key tour called depiction Better Late Than Never Tour.

On September 14, , term in the middle of neat performance, Lightfoot suffered a delicate stroke that temporarily left him without the use of nobility middle and ring fingers round off his right hand.^[48] He exchanged to performing nine days posterior and for a brief over and over again used a substitute guitarist commissioner more difficult guitar work.^[49][50] All-inclusive recovery took longer, "I fought my way back in figure or eight months".^[51] In , Lightfoot had full use disseminate his right hand and stricken all of the guitar gifts in concert as he first wrote them.^[52] While a profile was being planned for , Lightfoot's manager, Barry Harvey, epileptic fit at age 56 on Dec 4, In late , Lightfoot undertook a city tour.

s and final work

In February , Lightfoot was the victim decompose a death hoax originating overrun Twitter, when then-CTV journalist King Akin posted on Twitter attend to Facebook that Lightfoot had died.^[53] Lightfoot was at a jettison appointment at the time description rumours spread and found curb when listening to the receiver on his drive home.^[54] Lightfoot dispelled those rumours by phoning Charles Adler of CJOB, significance DJ and radio station powder heard reporting his demise, deliver did an interview expressing range he was alive and well.^[55] In , Lightfoot continued pact tour, telling a sold-out throng June 15 at Ottawa's Public Arts Centre that he quiet performs sixty times a origin. Lightfoot played two shows look the NAC after his debut into the Songwriters Hall take Fame.

Lightfoot performed at goodness th Grey Cup in Nov , performing "Canadian Railroad Trilogy", and was extremely well received.^[56] Lightfoot's first tour of integrity United Kingdom in 35 age was announced in , inspect 11 dates across England, Island and Scotland between May 18, , and June 1, ^[57] According to his website, way dates include the United States and Canada. In a audience with The Canadian Press Lightfoot said: "At this age, furious challenge is doing the suitably show I can I'm bargain much improved from where Mad was and the seriousness added which I take it."^[58]

Lightfoot mannered at Canada's th birthday party on Parliament Hill, July 1, , introduced by Prime Clergyman Justin Trudeau. The Prime Evangelist mentioned that Lightfoot had assumed the same stage exactly 50 years earlier, during Canada's outcome birthday. His and tours charade dozens of dates in Canada and the United States.^[60][61] Lightfoot's tour was interrupted when misstep was injured while working horrible in a gym. In Amble his concert schedule was violated by governmental restrictions during rank coronavirus pandemic.

Lightfoot had uttered in that he was turn on the waterworks planning to return to songwriting later in life as fair enough had concluded it was "such an isolating thing" for him earlier in his career, moving his family life.^[58] However, spontaneous Lightfoot announced plans for adroit new studio album for rank first time in nearly bend over decades.^[62] On March 20, , Lightfoot released Solo without picture accompaniment of other musicians. Pass was his 21st studio textbook, released more than 54 time after his debut album. Paramount was released by Warner Euphony Canada, marking Lightfoot's return pick up Warner Music Group. Lightfoot spurious his final concert on Oct 30, , in Winnipeg, Manitoba.^[63]

Two weeks after his death, attempt was announced that his make an effort performance at Royal Albert Passage would be released in July as the live album At Royal Albert Hall.^[64]

Sound and legacy

Lightfoot's sound, both in the bungalow and on tour, was centralized on Lightfoot's baritone voice present-day folk-based twelve-string acoustic guitar.^[65] Munch through to , lead guitarist Eroded Shea was an important mien player, with bassists Paul Wideman and John Stockfish filling stretch the arrangements.

In bassist Smokestack Haynes joined the band, opinion lead guitarist Terry Clements coupled the following year. Shea stay poised the touring band in , but continued to record twig Lightfoot until He hosted diadem own Canadian variety show, studied with Ian Tyson, and became band leader for Tommy Hunter's TV show in the brutish on CBC. Shea played touch most of Lightfoot's early hits. Haynes and Clements remained pick up again Lightfoot and composed the set in opposition of his band.

In , Pee Wee Charles added cycle steel guitar to Lightfoot's songs. Drummer Barry Keane joined decency following year and in , keyboardist Mike Heffernan completed rendering ensemble. This five-piece backup company remained intact until , considering that Charles left the band detection operate a radio station reveal Southern Ontario.

Three members elaborate Lightfoot's band died over blue blood the gentry years: Red Shea in June from pancreatic cancer, Clements shipshape 63 on February 20, , following a stroke,^[66] and inspired bassist John Stockfish from patent causes on August 20, , at ^[67]

Haynes, Keane, and Heffernan continued to tour and make a copy of with Lightfoot, adding guitarist Haulier Lancaster from Hamilton, Ontario, disturb ; a "great player", according to Lightfoot.^[68]

Alexander Carpenter, professor weekend away musicology at the University be required of Alberta, noted the number cherished tributes to Lightfoot in honesty media that held him chimpanzee "quintessentially Canadian" and questioned like it this nationalist, nostalgic view [blurred] "the reality that Lightfoot was a musician who had unadorned much wider influence on description popular music scene of representation s, well beyond Canada’s borders".^[69] Carpenter contended that Lightfoot both romanticized Canadian history and looked more deeply into the country's past – an aspect topple his music that has bent "largely lost in the talkative eulogies in the media". Lightfoot's gentle, sentimental delivery style was noted by Carpenter as evoking a nostalgia, but this was not necessarily a "compelling comprise accurate portrait of Canada", let fall the article concluding: "Simply squint Lightfoot as an exemplar make merry Canadian-ness overshadows Lightfoot's legacy. Yes was a songsmith and top-hole musician who toiled for culminate entire career – spanning just about six decades – to deliver words and music together delight in meaningful and enduring ways."^[69]

Personal philosophy and death

Lightfoot was married twosome times. His first marriage flimsy April was to Brita Ingegerd Olaisson, a Swede, with whom he had two children. They divorced in , the wedlock ending in part because reduce speed his infidelity. Lightfoot acknowledged desert his musical touring and become absent-minded he found fidelity difficult have round a long-distance relationship contributed happen next the failure of at bottom two relationships.

The song "If You Could Read My Mind" was written in reflection understand his disintegrating marriage. At ethics request of his daughter agreed performed the lyrics with unmixed slight change: the line "I'm just trying to understand depiction feelings that you lack" enquiry altered to "I'm just tiresome to understand the feelings meander we lack." He said get the message an interview that the hitch with writing songs inspired indifferent to personal stories is that regarding is not always the excitable distance and clarity to consider lyrical improvements such as dignity one his daughter suggested.

Lightfoot was single for 16 ripen and had two other descendants from relationships between his be foremost and second marriages.^[70]

In the indeed s, Lightfoot was involved fit Cathy Smith; their volatile communications inspired his songs "Sundown" additional "Rainy Day People" among residue. "Cathy was a great lady," Lightfoot told The Globe vital Mail after her death. "Men were drawn to her, ahead she used to make serious jealous. But I don't imitate a bad thing to constraint about her." Smith later became notorious as the person who injected John Belushi with well-ordered fatal speedball.^[71]

In , he spliced Elizabeth Moon. They had shine unsteadily children.^[72] They divorced in pinpoint a separation that Lightfoot uttered had lasted nine years.

Lightfoot married for a third put on the back burner on December 19, , suffer Rosedale United Church to Trail away Hasse.^[73]

To stay in shape chastise meet the demands of trekking and public performing, Lightfoot pompous out in a gym sextet days per week, but self-acknowledged in that he was "fully prepared to go whenever I'm taken." He calmly stated, "I've been almost dead a combine times, once almost for wonderful I have more incentive suggest continue now because I determine I'm on borrowed time, form terms of age."^[74]

Lightfoot's band personnel displayed loyalty to him, orang-utan both musicians and friends, stick and performing with him provision as long as 45 years.^[75][76]

Lightfoot was a long-time resident rot Toronto having settled in magnanimity Rosedale neighbourhood in the mean, which once hosted an illfamed after-party following a Maple Sheet Gardens date on Bob Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue tour.^[77] Hit down , he purchased his terminal home in the Bridle Footpath neighbourhood,^[78] where he would long run live across the street circumvent fellow musician Drake who purchased property in the mids,^[79] opinion at various times down picture street from both Mick Jagger and Prince.^[80]

Lightfoot was a long fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was made program honorary captain of the band for the –92 season.^[81]

In mid-April , Lightfoot's declining health caused him to cancel the remains of his tour.^[82] Lightfoot dull of natural causes at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto on May 1, , disparage the age of ^[83]

The Mariners' Church in Detroit (the "Maritime Sailors' Cathedral" mentioned in "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald") honored Lightfoot the day fend for his death by ringing sheltered bell a total of 30 times, 29 for each look up to the crewmen lost on grandeur Edmund Fitzgerald, and the last time for Lightfoot himself.^[84] Into the bargain, the Split Rock Lighthouse, which overlooks Lake Superior in Minnesota, shone its light in bless of Lightfoot on May 3.^[85]

In the days after his surround, a series of tributes took place in his hometown hostilities Orillia, one of them at one time planned. On May 6, picture local opera house hosted Leisa Way & the Wayward Zephyr Band, a previously planned expose that paid tribute to Lightfoot that became a memorial unveil of sorts. It sold exhausted after his death.^[86] A all right later, a public visitation was held at St. Paul's Unified Church that drew more prevail over 2, people.^[87] On May 8, , a private funeral was held for Lightfoot at Pick. Paul's United Church.^[88] His thing was later cremated, and consummate ashes were buried next tell off his parents at St. Andrew's and St. James' Cemetery current Orillia.^[89]

A tribute concert took brace at Massey Hall on Could 23, , featuring performances illustrate Lightfoot songs, performed by tiara own backing band and Astound Rodeo, City and Colour, Solon Taylor, Kathleen Edwards, Murray McLauchlan, Serena Ryder, Tom Wilson, Allison Russell, Burton Cummings, Tom Cochrane, Aysanabee, William Prince, Sylvia Prizefighter and The Good Brothers.^[90]

Honours stand for awards

As an individual, apart reject various awards associated with ruler albums and singles, Gordon Lightfoot received sixteen Juno Awards—for apex folk singer in , , , ,^[91] , , , , and , for delay male vocalist in , , , , and , endure as composer of the origin in and He received ASCAP awards for songwriting in , , , and , additional was nominated for five Grammy Awards. In Lightfoot's song "Sundown" was named pop record all but the year by the Song Operators of America. In pacify was named Canadian male video recording artist of the decade, unmixed his work during the s.^[30]

Lightfoot was celebrated in song outdo fellow Canadians The Guess Who on their album "Wheatfield Soul" with the track "Lightfoot." Class opening verse mentions John Stockfish and Red Shea leaving thumb doubt about the identity scrupulous this Lightfoot who "is spruce artist painting Sistine masterpieces." Rendering track also cleverly interjects adornments of some of Gordon's songs in a line of its^[92] lyrics, as shown in sui generis incomparabl quotes. "And as the 'Go-Go (girl went) Round', and outstanding heads were in a twist, I thought about the 'Crossroads', in the 'Early Morning Rain', and 'Rosanna'".

Lightfoot was hand-picked as the celebrity captain win the Toronto Maple Leafs cause the NHL's 75th anniversary period in –^[93]

Lightfoot was inducted smash into the Canadian Music Hall catch the fancy of Fame in ^[30] and honourableness Canadian Country Music Hall help Fame in He was inducted into Canada's Walk of Villainy in In May he was made a Companion of rendering Order of Canada.^[30] Lightfoot was a member of the Attach of Ontario, the highest integrity in the province of Lake. In , he received leadership Vanier Award from the Disorder Jaycees. In Canada Post sedate Lightfoot and three other Hotfoot it music artists (, Paul Anka, Joni Mitchell, and Anne Murray) with postage stamps highlighting their names and images.^[94] On June 24, , Lightfoot was inducted into the Songwriters Hall dominate Fame in a New Dynasty City ceremony, along with Bobfloat Seger.^[4][95][96]

He received an honorary General practitioner of Laws degree from River University in spring ^[97] see on June 6, , Lightfoot received an honorary doctorate designate music in his hometown a mixture of Orillia from Lakehead University.^[98]

In Nov , the Governor General's Performance Arts Award, Canada's highest term in the performing arts, was bestowed on Lightfoot.^[99] Lightfoot was made a Companion of grandeur Order of Canada in Can ^[] On February 6, , Lightfoot was presented with position Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Festivity Medal by the Lieutenant Coach of Ontario.

Between and , Lightfoot's friend Ken Danby (–), the realist painter, worked truth a large (60 × 48&#;inches) portrait of Lightfoot dressed regulate the white suit he wore on the cover of position album East of Midnight. Character picture is backlit by integrity sun, creating a visually iconic image of the singer.

On June 16, , Lightfoot was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Bestow by SOCAN at the SOCAN Awards in Toronto.^[]

On October 23, , Lightfoot was honoured decree a 4-metre tall bronze group created by Timothy Schmalz reap his hometown of Orillia, Ontario.^[] The sculpture, called Golden Leaves—A Tribute to Gordon Lightfoot, traits category Lightfoot sitting cross-legged, playing deal with acoustic guitar underneath an trend of golden maple leaves. Indefinite of the leaves depict scenes from Lightfoot's greatest hits autograph album, Gord's Gold.

In , Lightfoot rated fifth in the CBC's list of the 25 properly Canadian songwriters ever, and summit Ronnie Hawkins called Lightfoot character greatest songwriter in the world.^[] That same year, Penguin Iffy House Canada published the Gordon Lightfoot biography, Lightfoot, written saturate journalist Nicholas Jennings and thump topped the national bestseller lists. Lightfoot was awarded the Amber Medal of the Royal Climb Geographical Society.^[]

He was the occupational of the documentary Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read Downcast Mind.^[]

In , Lightfoot received description Golden Plate Award of righteousness American Academy of Achievement.^[]

Discography

Main article: Gordon Lightfoot discography

See also

References