RIP, Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot 1938-2023

It is with a heavy heart that we report on the loss of one of Canada’s and the world’s finest singer-songwriters Gordon Lightfoot. Lightfoot died yesterday at age 84. Rolling Stone magazine writing last night about his passing pointed out some of the highlights of the career of this most talented performer:

His most enduring works include “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sundown,” “Carefree Highway,” “Early Morning Rain,” and “Rainy Day People”

Lightfoot’s deceptively simple songs, which fused folk with pop and country rock, have been covered by everyone from Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash to the Grateful Dead, Barbra Streisand, Jerry Lee Lewis, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Buffett, and the Replacements.

Here are some other tributes to Mister Lightfoot’s musical talents:

Sad news about a really good songwriter with a unique sound.

“Her name was Ann, and I’ll be damned if I recalled her face. She left me not knowing what to do” https://t.co/NDfppQk7yA

— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) May 2, 2023

Gordon Lightfoot left us today..
When Bob Dylan reveres you & turns to you when he needs to,you know you’re dealing with brilliance. From Canada,Mr. Lightfoot became the Mark Twain of folk music.Trains,rivers, loneliness,romance.His songs were covered by just about everybody RIP. pic.twitter.com/ybA6RrdKR9

— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) May 2, 2023

So incredibly sad to learn of the passing of this incredible musical icon. Gordon Lightfoot was a personal favorite of mine, who soothed the hearts and souls of so many, and who united the world with his heartfelt lyrics and ballads.

— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) May 2, 2023

Gordon Lightfoot's Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was the first single I ever bought. God, that song was on all the time for a while on the bus to & from school. Wrote out the lyrics because I thought it was so haunting and beautiful. Still do. RIP. https://t.co/G2G36eRzG0

— Nick Gillespie (@nickgillespie) May 2, 2023

This one is really hard to write. Once in a blue moon you get to work and hang out with one of the people you admired when you were growing up. I was lucky enough to say Gordon was my friend and I'm gutted to know he's gone. The world is a lesser place without him. I know I speak… pic.twitter.com/GsFOwEGnrq

— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) May 2, 2023

via ⁦@nytimes⁩ -a true legend & national treasure of CANADA - his voice, lyrics & guitar patterns are intertwined with my childhood & reflected the beauty of that land.. #RIPGordonLightfoot https://t.co/qeRR9rqZeN

— Jill Hennessy (@JillHennessy) May 2, 2023

RIP. Too often underrated. https://t.co/4T79YmbiDZ

— Mike Murphy (@murphymike) May 2, 2023

Rest in peace, Gordon Lightfoot. pic.twitter.com/DY6ZpuXWi7

— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) May 2, 2023

RIP https://t.co/PFjAJba8Xu

— Treat Williams (@Rtreatwilliams) May 2, 2023