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Gordon Lightfoot Passes at 84

By Larry Philpot on May 2, 2023

The Canadian singer was once called a “rare talent” by Bob Dylan

Gordon Lightfoot performs in Interlochen, Michigan, July 22, 2009. (Photo Credit: Arnielee, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Gordon Lightfoot, the Canadian folk music legend, passed away yesterday, in Toronto at the age of 84. With a career spanning over six decades, Lightfoot was a masterful songwriter, weaving tales of love, loss, and the Canadian landscape into his music. His signature fingerpicking style and distinctive voice made him a beloved figure in the folk music community and beyond.

Born in Orillia, Ontario in 1938, Lightfoot began his music career in the late 1950s as a member of the group The Two-Tones. He quickly established himself as a talented songwriter, and his solo career took off in the 1960s with hits such as “Early Morning Rain” and “If You Could Read My Mind.” In the 1970s, he cemented his status as a folk music icon with his classic songs “Sundown,” “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” and “Canadian Railroad Trilogy.” To me, his most important song was “Beautiful”

“Beautiful” first appeared on Lightfoot’s 1972 LP Don Quixote, the first of two singles to be released². It reached #13 in Canada and peaked at #58 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in June 1972². The song also hit #1 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart, his second of seven to do so, and #30 on the U.S. Easy Listening chart². The song is a romantic ballad that expresses the singer’s love and admiration for his partner.

Lightfoot’s impact on the music world cannot be overstated. He was a pioneer of the folk-rock genre and influenced countless musicians, including Bob Dylan and Neil Young. His songs captured the essence of the Canadian experience, from the rugged beauty of the wilderness to the complexities of modern life. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of songwriters and music lovers.

Beyond his music career, Lightfoot was also known for his philanthropy and dedication to environmental causes. He was a longtime supporter of the Canadian Wildlife Federation and the World Wildlife Fund, and his song “The Circle is Small” became an anthem for the movement to protect Canada’s natural resources. In 2017, he was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions to Canadian culture.

With his passing, the music world has lost a true legend. Gordon Lightfoot’s music touched the hearts of millions and will continue to do so for years to come. His songs will live on as a testament to his talent and his enduring legacy as one of Canada’s greatest musical treasures. Rest in peace, Gordon Lightfoot. You will be missed.