Gordon Lightfoot died (84)

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Announced this eve. Apparently he died last Thursday. Shared a birthday with my dad and his younger sister who ruined his 5th birthday party lol - but Gordon was older, born in 1938.

Posting in part as I’m curious how many here even have a clue who he was - besides being one of my dad’s favourites.

Def a legend. I’m only 40 and def appreciate a bunch of his life’s work. But curious if he was even known to you folks South of the border or overseas. (3, 2, 1.. go ahead - google him lol)

I've spent the last three hours crying since I heard.
I made posts about him in Unhappy and also Linking Lyrics.

I met him around 1980 in a fitness club sauna in Toronto.
His music has had a huge impact on my life.
He even shaped my career in an inadvertent way.
I have too many poignant memories to share.
Even the fact he died at Sunnybrook hits me hard.


Rest in peace Gord.

Defs hangin’ with Canada’s other Gord, now, eh?

I didn't even wanna say that. ^
Sunnybrook too.

Oh, the legend lives on from the Chippewa on down to the big lake they call Gi-chi-gu-meh . . .

https://youtu.be/qNPf_VfVyGg


I've had two kitties named for this song.
I doubt anyone but Recidivist will figure out their names.



Pussywillows, cat-tails, soft winds and roses
Rain pools in the woodland, water to my knees
Shivering, quivering, the warm breath of spring
Pussywillows, cat-tails, soft winds and roses

Catbirds and cornfields, daydreams together
Riding on the roadside the dust gets in your eyes
Reveling, disheveling, the summer nights can bring
Pussywillows, cat-tails, soft winds and roses

Slanted rays and colored days, stark blue horizons
Naked limbs and wheat bins, hazy afternoons
Voicing, rejoicing, the wine cups do bring
Pussywillows, cat-tails, soft winds and roses

Harsh nights and candlelights, woodfires a-blazin'
Soft lips and fingertips resting in my soul
Treasuring, remembering, the promise of spring
Pussywillows, cat-tails, soft winds and roses

I vaguely know the name.
Presumably, he was in the music industry.

You met him. Wow.

A lady friend saw him in concert around 1990. Said that he seemed "more at home in front of a campfire in the woods than in front of people". Appropriately he performed a song he had recently written for a conservation group: "you're a Naughty Pine, and You Needle Me". Never heard, nor heard of that song since.

My mom was forced to listen to 80s top 40 at work, and we got talking about 60s folksingers, and she suggested that"Bruce Springsteen mustve been influenced by Gordon Lightfoot", and I agreed that that was possible.

Last edited by naturalplastic on 02 May 2023, 5:03 am, edited 2 times in total.

Who is this other "Gordon" Canadian person?

The late Harry Belafonte singing a song written by the late Gordon Lightfoot.


https://youtu.be/FUXuBwRoQBc

Gord Downie. Lead singer/front man of ~the most iconic Canadian band ever, “The Tragically Hip.”

They were known as “Canada’s band,” with many songs referencing the country. They were HUGE in Canada for decades, but barely known in the USA or anywhere else. Gord died from brain cancer 5 or so years back. Glad I got to see them a few times.

Gord spent his last few years advocating for Indigenous rights and received the Order of Canada for his activism.

Their final concert was broadcast nationally, and his passing was practically a national funeral.

Always liked this one - maybe in part because I live in a temperate rain forest.. plenty of rainy day people here.



Pretty sure I have one of his greatest hits albums on vinyl. Might just spin it upstairs during the inevitable open house in lieu of a funeral service for my dad if music isn't annoying or disruptive.

8M views on the YouTubes - this might be his most popular song:

Next song plays and I'm like, "Oh yeah, this is another one of his isn't it? Damn the guy had a LOT of huge hits that are super memorable." - like a Lot.