Wondering about Gordon Lightfoot.
I got wondering about Gordon Lightfoot. Why? Well today is his birthday. He was born on this date back in 1938. Wow, you know that puts him five years older than I am and he is still performing. He was a prominent song writer and performer of the 60's. He was born in Ontario, Canada but went to a music school in Los Angles. He soon missed his Canadian home and moved back there in 1960.
To me, his greatest music achievement was writing the song "Ribbon of Darkness" which became a number one hit when recorded by Marty Robbins. He toured not only his home country of Canada, but the United States, Europe, and Australia.
How many of you remember Gordon Lightfoot? How many of you have even heard of him? Music has always been a big part of my life. I like to listen to it and sing and play the guitar. Of course, I only do so for my pleasure and to rid the house of unwanted pests. Now, you all hum a tune and have a great day today, you hear?
I have heard of him but I do not remember any particular song of his. I suffer from CRS you know :(
ReplyDeleteI remember him more than the songs. He has a name that just sort of sticks with you. When I was a kid, I pictured him as an Indian. . .
DeleteEnjoyed his music in my youth.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Barney. Except my youth was a lot longer ago than yours.
DeleteHowdy DD,,
ReplyDeleteYeah, I remember him and have some tapes by him.. I also went to high school with his cousin Vonnie Lightfoot..
Hope you can pick something that don't scare the 'foo-foo' pups !!!
Aww, go on and have a HAPPY DAY !!! butterbean
Wow, you have a close connection, knowing his cousin. Have you ever been to one of his concerts? I never had the chance. BTW, the pups are use to the unusual noise coming out of that thing with six strings.
DeleteI carry around CDs that I love. I have 3 Gordon Lightfoot CDs and while I love Ribbon of Darkness, I'll add that Early Morning Rain, Carefree Highway, and Changes are some of my favorites. I heard him at an auditorium at OSU many years ago.... he captured my poor musically challenged mind and has stayed in my heart ever since.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I remember all of those songs along with a few more. I still enjoy listening to him.
DeleteGordon has been Number 1 on my hit parade, starting with his rendition of "Urge For Going", his first Canadian Ballad, "Canadian Railroad Trilogy", his most popular mainstream song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" to his many folk hits and popular tunes over the years.
ReplyDeleteI came home one evening in 1969 to discover my roommate had bumped into Gordon after a concert and invited him, the band and camp followers out to take the heat in our sauna. Nothing like finding naked folks running around with Birch boughs, swatting each other on the butt. Let's just say I failed to measure up to the man in many ways...
I know what you mean by that last sentence (grin). I don't remember all the titles, but when I hear them played, I sure do remember them. Wow, you actually got to meet him!! Or should I say, you got a good look at him. . .
DeleteHaven't thought of him in eons... I'm going to YouTube and listen ... I loved his music....
ReplyDeleteI just YouTubed and listening to If you could read my mind ... LOVE it... thanks for reminding me of him!
My pleasure. Don't forget to wish him a happy birthday.
DeleteI really used to enjoy his music. Haven't thought of him for years until today!
ReplyDeleteYou can find him on YouTube. Not only was he a great musician, he was a great song writer!!
DeleteI definitely remember him and his incredible voice.
ReplyDeleteAnd he is still performing!
DeleteThere is an official Facebook page and lightfoot.ca has some of the 2014 tourdates already.more west coast canadian dates in october/november to come and many in the u.s. as well.. probably around 70 dates altogether as he has done for decades now... he never stops.! www.corfid.com has an active discussion forum (14 years online) with fans all over the world and many posting concert reports,videos and pictures..there's lots of recent stuff as well as old BBC footage from 1972 is on youtube.. as well as the Live in RENO footage shot in 2000 I believe... He's a lovely, gentle man who still loves to perform for his fans. His long time orchestra are the ultimate professionals as always with a new lead guitarist of 2 years replacing the late Terry Clements. If you see a concert near you in 2014 get ut and see it - while Gordon's voice is that of a 75 year old it is still LIGHTFOOT and in many ways the voice today resonates deeper in many of his songs-a voice reflecting a life lived, loves lost and found and social questions that still have no answers. Char (Toronto)
ReplyDelete