RIP Gordon Lightfoot

None of those Edmund Fitzgerald cover versions come close to the original for me. But it's hard to improve on a perfect song for a tragic story. Rest in peace Mr. Lightfoot.

 

The obituary from the funeral home
The service is Sunday in Orillia

https://www.mundellfuneralhome.com/obituary/Gordon-Lightfoot?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

 

Overheard in the newsroom: "Should I know the name Gordon Lightfoot?"

Not a youngster, either. Oy.

Even if not a fan, not sure how that one gets by a 40-something.

 

Almost as bad, when I mentioned Gord and some of his songs: “My dad had some of his music.”

Actually, I get that line a lot at work. It’s OK — that’s what happens when coworkers are the same age as your children.

 

I can see it unfortunately. His last big hit, at least in the U.S., was in the late 70s, so 45 years ago. Plus, while huge in Canada, he wasn't seen or heard by the general U.S. population much recently.

 

At my first stop one of the editors was Montana. His best friend was a concert promoter. The biggest act he ever booked....Gordon Lightfoot.

 

To be fair? He basically slipped off the charts in the U.S. for good in the late 70s. His last top 40 hit was in 1977. His TV appearances dried up here not long afterwards. He was never going to be shown on MTV.

I'm 51 and I barely remember him as an artist you heard on the radio.

Edit: DB on me.

 

Been a rough few years for Gordons from Canada ... Howe, Downey, Pinsent, now Lightfoot. Watch your back, Gordon Martineau.

 

A good friend and well known Calgary entrepreneur named Gordon just passed a couple of months ago, a brother in law, Gordon, 2 years ago and we also had a guy from the Prairies who played a little hockey named Gordon (Howe). Seems to be a kind of uniquely Canadian name. I have known a number of Gords in my life.
If Canada had a singing star before Lightfoot it would probably be Paul Anka in the pop world or Robert Goulet in the Broadway Musical genre.

 

Then there’s the other end of the spectrum
The Today show announced the acts for its summer concert series
13 acts
Six I’ve heard of

 

Gord Dwyer was one of the refs in the Game 7 that went on Monday night when it was announced that he died.

I wonder if the government of Canada told him when he came off the ice that he had acceded to the throne of King of Gords, with all the privileges therein. As is tradition.

Also, I no-saled that Hip cover pretty much as soon as the vocals started.