RIP, Gordon Lightfoot

Sad news in the music world today. Gordon Lightfoot. He was 84 years old.

Lightfoot was a legendary Canadian singer and songwriter, who penned very influential songs. The lyrics he came up with could be very powerful. My personal favorite song from him is “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which was a harrowing account of what was a real life tragedy, when a ship sank during a powerful storm in one of the Great Lakes. 

During his legendary career, Lightfoot received several Grammy nominations and other distinctions, and had three platinum records and many other of his albums went gold. 

Indeed, he more than made his mark in the music industry. Bob Dylan once called him a "rare talent," and many of his songs have been covered and interpreted by musicians spanning all genres and decades, from Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul, and Mary, Barbara Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, Billy Joel, Sarah McLachlan, and Jane's Addiction. 

“We have lost one of our greatest singer-songwriters,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted. “Gordon Lightfoot captured our country’s spirit in his music – and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape. May his music continue to inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on forever.”

RIP, Gordon Lightfoot, 1938 - 2023.

Folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84 May 2, 2023

https://apnews.com/article/gordon-lightfoot-folk-music-dead-4c5f0763797da6a5f3ea8c90947352fc

Gordon Lightfoot’s music has been covered by a number of artists. Here are 10 popular renditions by Manuela Vega, Staff Reporter Tue., May 2, 2023:

Among the artists who have recorded Lightfoot’s music are Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte and Elvis just to name a few. 

https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2023/05/02/gordon-lightfoots-music-has-been-covered-by-a-number-of-artists-here-are-10-popular-renditions.html

Folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84 May 2, 2023

https://apnews.com/article/gordon-lightfoot-folk-music-dead-4c5f0763797da6a5f3ea8c90947352fc

Billy Joel And Steve Jones Share “If You Could Read My Mind” Covers In Tribute To Gordon Lightfoot., May 2, 2023:

https://www.stereogum.com/2222447/billy-joel-gordon-lightfoot-if-you-could-read-my-mind-cover/news/