Gordon Lightfoot, RIP
Moderators: Donna Dodd, Lori Lee Smith
Gordon Lightfoot, RIP
So sad to see that Gordon Lightfoot has passed at age 84. A huge musical influence for me and many of my generation. It is reported that, on his deathbed, he told his longtime friend and booking agent, "We've had a good run". They sure did. He was still touring and pretty much died with his boots on. RIP and my condolences to his family and friends and, of course, to our own Ed Ringwald (aka Peewee Charles), who played steel for him for many years.
- Daniel Dickie
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- Terry Wood
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I share a deep sadness. A troubadour songsmith who persisted wizardly, devotedly and elegantly, as other styles around him faltered and faded. He was a consistent contributor and a marvelous template for many, many admirers. He later added the special tones of a pedal steel, that seemed to augment his tales of tribulations and triumphs. A very favored vinyl I have is the Curly Chalker “Nashville Sundown”, a steelers sampler of his most famous tunes. (Google/YouTube up this landmark album from 1976. And enjoy it.) You’ll be missed, Gordie.
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- Dale Rottacker
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This is a sad day. Gordon was not only a Canadian Treasure but a worldwide one as well. Musically I always thought he was unique to his own style, even though different genre's tried to claim him. Still it seemed Gordon just did Gordon and what Gordon did was VERY Special.
Dale Rottacker, Steelinatune™
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*2021 MSA Legend, "Jolly Rancher" D10 10x9
*2021 Rittenberry, "The Concord" D10 9x9
*1977 Blue Sho-Bud Pro 3 Custom 8x6
https://msapedalsteels.com
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https://www.telonics.com/index.php
https://www.p2pamps.com
https://www.quilterlabs.com
- Larry Dering
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- Joachim Kettner
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My friend Clemens, who is no longer alive, and I espcially loved to play Cotton Jenny and other Lightfoot songs in the mid-seventies together. RIP Mr.Lightfoot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUeTVLZoMeg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUeTVLZoMeg
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- Samuel Phillippe
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Always was a fan.His Edmond Fitzgerald is my favorite and living in Michigan I still play this every November.
I was asked at one gig if I knew it, said no but would learn it and asked when the person would be returning. they said in a week. well I busted B_ _ _s learning it. This was about 15 years ago, never have seen the person since but I still play it.
RIP Gordon
Sam
I was asked at one gig if I knew it, said no but would learn it and asked when the person would be returning. they said in a week. well I busted B_ _ _s learning it. This was about 15 years ago, never have seen the person since but I still play it.
RIP Gordon
Sam
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- Rich Upright
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I agree; one of my favorite Gordon songs.Jack Stanton wrote:One of the all-time greats. Affair on 8th Ave. is one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.
I would describe most of his music as hauntingly beautiful..Saw him live in the mid 70s at Avery Fisher; took my Mom as he was her favorite singer.
I will miss his talent.
A couple D-10s,some vintage guitars & amps, & lotsa junk in the gig bag.
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- Mike Ester
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My first exposure to GL was in my mid-teens. My folks had purchased his "Summer Side of Life" album. I nearly wore out that vinyl disc with my non-stop listening. My (and my mom's) favorite cut on that album was "Miguel". The storytelling of that song stuck with me throughout my life.
U.S.A.F. 1978-1982
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If you can't be a good example, be a horrible warning.
2005 Carter S12U 7x5
1978 Sho-Bud Pro II Custom 8x4
If you can't be a good example, be a horrible warning.
How can you not be influenced by Gordon Lightfoot? A master of the folk tradition and a superb songwriter and performer.
Steel Guitar Books! Website: www.volkmediabooks.com
I’m am not an avid fan of Gordon, just one who has been mystified by everything that ever appeared on the radio since If You Could Read My Mind, still one of my favorite songs. Every one of his singles in the 70s really had a lasting impression on my own writing, in particular Sundown. He will be greatly missed but his music will live on for generations.
Which of his songs do you think will make a stunning reemergence in twenty or thirty years? I think The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald for one.
Which of his songs do you think will make a stunning reemergence in twenty or thirty years? I think The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald for one.
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Here’s an Immortal
Rick Beato: Ep.94. The genius Gordon used in studio. As long as duos, trios play Coffee houses. ‘Read my Mind’ will remain indelibly.
- John Viterito
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Mike.... Definitely "If you Could Read My Mind", "The Wreck", and "Sundown" will live on for many decades, if not forever. Speaking of "If You Could Read My Mind", I just discovered a cover of this by non other than Skeeter Davis. If anyone loves this song while also appreciating and wanting to learn steel, this cover will push you over the edge into learning our wonderful instrument.
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- Fred Treece
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You can bet that The Wreck will be played A LOT on November 10, 2025 and 2075.Which of his songs do you think will make a stunning reemergence in twenty or thirty years? I think The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald for one.
Having grown up in a town on the Lake Erie shore near where a few crew members lived, I can say the song literally hit home for the Great Lakes community.
But I think If You Could Read My Mind is the more universal of his big hits, and Sundown is just so cool!
I first heard Alberta Bound while driving across the plains of Saskatchewan. It just sounded like one of those perfect songs that has always been there, and is an unforgettable moment for me. Little bit of dobro on it too, by Canadian instrumentalist Red Shea.
RIP to one of the greatest. So long, Sundown.
- John Larson
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This one hurts. Gord really knew how to tell a tale.
"Canadian Railroad Trilogy" and "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" are but two of his very timeless songs.
When I first discovered "Wreck" I probably listened to it at least 10 times in a row. The way he payed tribute to those tragic lost souls with such a classy haunting ballad is just timeless.
"Canadian Railroad Trilogy" and "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" are but two of his very timeless songs.
When I first discovered "Wreck" I probably listened to it at least 10 times in a row. The way he payed tribute to those tragic lost souls with such a classy haunting ballad is just timeless.
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright. Give praise to the Lord with the harp, chant unto Him with the ten-stringed psaltery. Sing unto Him a new song, chant well unto Him with jubilation. For the word of the Lord is true, and all His works are in faithfulness. The Lord loveth mercy and judgement; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
- Psalm 33:1-5
- Psalm 33:1-5
- Richard Alderson
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Gordon Lightfoot died just a few weeks after Harry Belafonte also died. In the music section of the forum I posted a video where Belafonte performed a Lightfoot song. They were linked by more than just the coincidence of passing within a few weeks of each other. Both were contemporary cultural icons of their time. Belafonte was one of the performers who gave exposure to Lightfoot's material.
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