A Canadian Legend, Gordon Lightfoot Passes Away At 84

[Bruce Monkhouse]

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

 

[brihard]

Just cranked Edmund Fitzgerald on the surround sound. What a loss for Canada. May he rest in peace.

 

[lenaitch]

Sad, but not unexpected. He was the closest thing to a modern day troubadour; he told stories to us about us.

I just saw a quote from George Stroumboulopoulos: "He sat on top of the mountain. He shared what he saw. For so many around the world, they knew our stories because of him."

We had the pleasure of seeing him many times at Massey Hall in the earlier years. The wife and daughter saw him just before they closed the Hall for renovations. The voice was weaker and the range was gone, but the love of his craft was still there.

RIP to a legend. We don't make many any more.

 

[FJAG]

 

[FJAG]

 

[OldSolduer]

RIP - he taught me more about Canada through his songs than many teachers ever could have. He could paint a picture with his songs.

 

[Kilted]

The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times

 

[Halifax Tar]

Sad, but not unexpected. He was the closest thing to a modern day troubadour; he told stories to us about us.

George Strait would like to have a word with you.

RIP Mr. Lightfoot.

 

[lenaitch]

George Strait would like to have a word with you.

RIP Mr. Lightfoot.

Perhaps. Country singers tell 'personal angst' stories (what happens when you play a country song backwards . . . ). Folk singers more 'social angst' stories.

Besides, he is American, so not my definition of "us".

 

[mariomike]

George Strait would like to have a word with you.

Perhaps. Country singers tell 'personal angst' stories (what happens when you play a country song backwards . . . ). Folk singers more 'social angst' stories.

Besides, he is American, so not my definition of "us".

No disrepect to Gord R.I.P..

But, I listened to "the Hillbilly Shakespeare" from Alabama, Hank Williams.

When I felt the need for a member of the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, I went with Hank Snow.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

I saw him in Saskatoon.

Legend.

 

[Blackadder1916]

Though he had success as a singer/songwriter south of the border (where it seemingly mattered) in the 1960s, it was "Black Day in July" that got him wider recognition in the USA - having a song banned pulled from radio stations in 30 states will get people talking about you as someone who has something meaningful to say.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times

That refers to the bell at the Mariners Church ( The Maritime Sailors Cathedral) in Detroit. You can see it immediately as you come out of the Windsor/Detroit Tunnel' They ring the bell every year for sailors who have lost their lives on the Great Lakes.

Mariners’ Church celebrates 175 years in Detroit

The “musty old hall in Detroit” has turned 175, and the people who call the Mariner’s Church their parish couldn’t be more proud. The Detroit church, which draws congregants…

www.theoaklandpress.com

https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=208188

Pic of the Church. Windsor in the background

https://flic.kr/p/uX6WSd

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Though he had success as a singer/songwriter south of the border (where it seemingly mattered) in the 1960s, it was "Black Day in July" that got him wider recognition in the USA - having a song banned pulled from radio stations in 30 states will get people talking about you as someone who has something meaningful to say.

Another Detroit reference, about the 1967 riots. Started when the cops busted a Blind Pig (illegal after hours bar). Windsor sent our fire dept over with their trucks to try help out. Lots of people shot at that one.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

Perhaps. Country singers tell 'personal angst' stories (what happens when you play a country song backwards . . . ). Folk singers more 'social angst' stories.

Besides, he is American, so not my definition of "us".

Right there side by side with Leonard Cohen.

Godspeed Mr Lightfoot

 

[OldSolduer]

I listened to my two favorite Lightfoot songs on the way to work. Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Canadian Railroad Trilogy.

And it got me to thinking - rare I know but it does happen from time to time.

We need more Lightfoots, Stompin Toms and Gord Downeys. And less Tik Tok, social media and "influencers".

And dare I say it - common sense.

 

[Good2Golf]

Lightfoot is a legend. He’ll be missed.

 

[torg003]

Listening to him right now.

 

[lenaitch]

I listened to my two favorite Lightfoot songs on the way to work. Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Canadian Railroad Trilogy.

And it got me to thinking - rare I know but it does happen from time to time.

We need more Lightfoots, Stompin Toms and Gord Downeys. And less Tik Tok, social media and "influencers".

And dare I say it - common sense.

and Ian Tysons.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

While normally done in November, today they rang the bell 30 times.
29 times for the crew of the Edmond Fitzgerald;
And once for Gordon Lightfoot

Mariners’ Church of Detroit honors Gordon Lightfoot with Tuesday ringing of bells