Folk Singer-Songwriter Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84

Question

Sad news. Gordon Lightfoot, age 84, passed away today in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.  

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/music/2023/05/01/cp-newsalert-legendary-folk-singer-songwriter-gordon-lightfoot-dies-at-84

Comments

RIP Gordon

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RIP - one of my favorite singers.

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And one of my all time favorite singers. He had a way about him, in voice, melody and lyrics that could vibrate with the ancient sorrows and cautionary tales people suffer through while living the human experience. 'Rainy Day People' and 'If You Could Read My Mind' were always my favorite. RIP Mr. Lightfoot.

Answer 1

His Date of Death needs to be added and the profile needs to be open. Maybe someone can contact the PM?

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lightfoot-1332

Comments

Sent a PM to Notables Project.

Answer 2

Reported on the Notables thread for May 2023

Answer 3

I saw Gordon Lightfoot numerous times in concert at Massey Hall in Toronto.

And have almost all of his records.

Favourite songs include The Canadian Railroad Trilogy, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, If You Could Read My Mind, Rainy Day People, Pussy Willows Cat-Tails, Bitter Green.

I can sing all his songs, but no one would want to listen, I'm tone deaf!

https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/gordon-lightfoot-dead-1.6828991

Comments

I loved his music, but never got the chance to see him live.

Faves: Me And Bobby McGee, Early Morning Rain, Alberta Bound, If You Could Read My Mind, Steel Rail Blues

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I just realised-I was at the Mariposa folk festival on Toronto Island on 16 July 1972, when both Gordon Lightfoot was there as well as Bob Dylan. How could I forget that?

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If you can remember 1972 you weren't really there.

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You're a fanning! Sing loud and proud!

Answer 4

He was a talented man. But he was also a drug user, an adulterer, and fathered several illegitimate children during affairs that occurred during and between his 3 marriages.

Comments

Sadly the music industry has seen many members who suffered from mental illness, drug addictions and difficulty in relationships. The only difference between them and regular folks is media's willingness to share their struggles with the world for sales! It is of course part of being in the headlights, but what a price to pay because you had a talent. RIP Mr. Lightfoot.

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Don't stop there, throw in politicians, sports figures, actors/actresses, virtually anyone who attains wealth or fame has opportunities and temptations unbeknown to the average person. To steal a line from Billy Joe, "the devil made him do it the first time, the second time he did it on his own".

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Eddie, this sounds like casting aspersions.  He was no angel, he himself would have been the first to say that.  The music business produces lots and lots of propinquity, with all sorts of results.  And touring makes that much more so.

See Wikipedia on the exact nature of his relationships.  As for ''drug user'', his biggest problem was alcohol.  Nobody of that era escaped the drug culture, so not surprising if he tried it also.

Answer 5

A great Artist.  This is a loss for us.

Answer 6

I got to see him in concert in 1975 in Place des Arts here in Montréal.  I have most of his records still.  Magnificent work.  RIP Gordon. 

Answer 7

My sister, Bonny, and I talked about Gordon Lightfoot and his contributions to folk music when we heard of his death.

In particular, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald meant a great deal to us given that this Great Lakes freighter's home port was Milwuakee, Wisconsin where we grew up. We remembered when it sank in 1975 and thought of the men and their families. Lightfoot's song is an homage to those men and their deaths. 

May Gordon Lightfoot RIP! We are grateful for your contributions.