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 can’t remember a time his music didn’t mean a lot to me. I bought the album ‘If You Could Read My Mind’ (originally titled ‘Sit Down Young Stranger’)when I was 13... wore it out. His voice had a ‘core’ to it... one of a kind.
Discovered him in college. His rerecorded version of Song for a Winters Night on his first Gords Gold album...really pulled me in. Perfect song for a cold night in the snowy mountains.
As long as there is history being written and people being people with dreams and failings his lyrics and tunes will live.
.....but heroes often fail...
Can’t say enough good things about his songs....
An amazing singer and storyteller. RIP Mr. Lightfoot.
That’s wonderful.
Goodbye to Canada’s best.
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead, when the skies of November turn gloomy.
“It leaves a huge hole in Canadian music.”
There’s still Celine Dion (ducks).
Truly great! Early Morning Rain among others.
That guy had a legendary voice. RIP to a great artist.
His eyes always looked troubled to me but his songs led one in that direction. Couldn’t’t stay married as he couldn’t keep is pants on while touring. Lot’s of women out there. When it’s all over it comes down to the amount of times you get laid so unless you’re happily married it doesn’t matter. He lived a full life I’d say.
Should a guy keep his pants on?
UGH.
Where’s Greta Thunberg when you actually NEED her?
“How dare you?!?” :P
Well, there’s Rush.
And Ann Murray?
Yep very distinctive voice..
Nope. Drummer and primary lyricist Neil Peart died in 2020, cementing the end of the band.
I thought it was “Carefree Highway.”
My favorite performer during the 1970s and 1980s and the only one I went to see in person when he performed in Houston.
An all-time great. My prayers and condolences to his family.
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