My father was Gords manager for 25 years and I will say that even though I’ve seen him play live front row and centre 20 plus times mostly at Massey hall in Toronto he always delivered the goods live. A true perfectionist. A man who treated us kids nicely even during halftime intermissions. I’m only 40 but must say his music forever will hold a place in my heart. When my father passed Gord sang at his funeral. An original piece he wrote for my old man. The world truly lost one of the greatest song writers and storytellers in modern music
What great memories for you to have. Sadly I missed out - he was going to play here in Victoria and I had the ticket many months in advance. Unfortunately the date of the concert was October 2020 and so due to Covid it was cancelled so I missed out. Now I won't get the chance, but fortunately there are all the wonderful recordings to go back and listen to. A number of artists from when I was younger (Christine McVie, Olivia Newton-John) have passed away recently which was sad, but this - this hits hard. Maybe that's because being from Canada his music was just...there for so much of my life. Or maybe it is because anyone who could turn a more than six minute long song about a historical event into a hit that somehow resonates with people is exceptionally special. Probably it is both.
Hey Rick, I’m a musician and also play an acoustic show and as a singer, and each time I play this song IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND I get so choked up with his lyrics that sometimes I have a difficult time getting through the song. The other song that gets me too is Carefree Highway. And I love performing it and people always come up and thank me for playing Gordon Lightfoot songs.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald has probably the greatest line ever written, IMO. "Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours". That gets me every time I hear it. Thank you Rick for this awesome tribute to one of the greatest songwriters ever
I agree. But the lyrics of the song “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” has incredibly emotion rendering, dramatic impact from start to finish. Greatest song ever written.
I had to stop listening to his music after my divorce. I learned he died in a text message from my estranged daughter, who I hadn't heard from in 11 years. She said she heard he died and she broke down crying. She remembered me singing his songs when she went to work with me. We are due to meet up to get reacquainted this Summer.
For me, what makes Lightfoot so wonderful is that every song is a rich, detailed story that you can visualize in your mind's eye. An incredible man. Skills that not only play musical instruments, but also play our emotions.
I am 73 , Canadian, and been sad all day. Spent the morning playing, singing and listening to Gord. A Canadian national treasure. Thank God we have his music to remember him.
I'm a music teacher in Canada. Monday May 1st was Music Monday in Canada, where hundreds of thousands of students and educators across the country celebrate the importance of music education in our schools. It's somehow fitting that he left us on this day. His impact on music in our country, and apparently the world, will live on starting on this day! I love that you are such a fan. This was a nice tribute Rick. Thank you!
I coined the phrase Music Monday for my facebook posts, and I'm from Toronto. Just sayin'... Canada is just a little bit of heaven, especially the Mariposa Folk Festival on the Toronto Islands.
I learnt to play If You Could Read My Mind when I was 18. I'm 67 now and recently played it live for my wife. I could remember all the words and chord changes even though I hadn't played the song in nearly 40 years. That's the mark of a great song for me; a song that becomes imprinted on your memory that you couldn't forget if you tried. I had to play the song in G rather than A because I didn't have a capo handy and didn't fancy tackling the barre chords. Folk singers will be discovering Gordon's songs a century from now. His music will become part of the standard folk repertoire
I was 20 years old (1973 or 1974) and he played a concert at Emory University in Atlanta. It was just him and a sound guy. No retinue. No stage or risers. He sat on a chair in the middle of the gym floor and about 250 of us sat on the floor all around him. He played for 3 hours or so. Just him and his guitar. It was amazing.
I met Gordo exactly 10 years ago to today (5/2/13). He is such a class act, he signed my copy of "If you Could Read My Mind" LP that I gave to my Dad who was also there to meet him. My wife was pregnant and Mr Lightfoot rubbed her belly. We tell our son that he was blessed by Gordon Lightfoot. He was the nicest guy I've ever met! RIP Gordo!
Yeah he was as nice in person as you could imagine. I wrote him note once to add a particular song to his setlist and did. Blew me away. Talked to him after the show. He will be missed by all.
50 years ago (1974) anchored in Silver Bay, my shipmates and I on the Cleveland Cliffs S.S. Cadillac waited for the Edmond Fitzgerald to finish fully loading before we could dock and pick up 16,500 tons of iron ore (taconite) to haul to the mills in Cleveland. The next year (11/10/1975) the Fitzgerald... While I have emotional resilience, some things, like Gordon Lightfoot's ballad and the memory my fellow sailors, still bring a tear to my eye. The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times.
Last concert I took my Mom to before she died at 60 of Alzheimer’s. Amazingly she was singing along remembering the words even though she could barely talk. Never forget it. RIP Gordon.
My mum passed to of Alzheimer’s/ dementia.. music has apparently always been a trigger for the those suffer with it.. music carries us all away in some way ❤️
“Does anyone know where the love of God goes, when the waves turn the minutes to hours…” That lyric always rips my heart out of my chest and throws it into Lake Superior. Another perfect story telling song.
I'm from Brazil, City of Curitiba, State of Paraná, and the day he passed away, without even knowing that he had passed away, I was listening to his songs. I'm very sad! I really like his songs, and some are special, like: Daylight Katy, If You Could Ready Mind, That's Whats You Get for loving me, The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgeral, Sundown .... and many others that are wonderful! A great singer and a music giant!😢😢
How could this song be so good without auto tune , fowl language, and programmed drumbeats? Easy, it’s called total musicianship and talent. He will be missed.
Living in Ontario I was fortunate to meet Gordon Lightfoot at two different times in my life, in Port Mcnicoll Ontario in my teens, while working for a summer restoring a sail boat docked next to his. He’d always stop to chat. Celebrity stature was totally in check, he was always just a nice guy. 30 years later I found myself seated next to him at a comedy show at the Masonic Temple in Toronto. I remembered the name of his sail boat, The Golden Goose. During the intermission I asked him if he still had her, he lit up, and for the next twenty minutes regaled me with stories of his Georgian Bay sailing adventures. The boat later became Jimmy Buffet's for a time down in the Florida Keys he told me. That was an unforgettable experience. I attended Gord’s service Sunday at the Orillia Church he sang in as a young choir boy. Perhaps only the Beatles have made such an impact over so many generations in an artist's lifetime. He will live on for generations through his music.
Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, and Harry Chapin three of the greatest story tellers and musicians. To people who love music Gordon's death is such a huge loss.
My favorite Gordon Lightfoot song is Canadian Railroad Trilogy. To me, it encapsulates his musical genius, as well as his phenomenal storytelling. The fact that he wrote it in basically three days when he was commissioned to create a song to commemorate a 100 anniversary celebration that CBC TV was producing is amazing.
Think about the fact that Gordon Lightfoot, John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, Jim Croce, and numerous other greats were all filling the 70’s airwaves with the classic tunes. I was born in 1972, but I remember hearing all of these phenomenal tunes due to my parents and older brothers. Man those were beyond great times.
One summer, between my Junior & Senior year I was driving a cab in NYC to make money for school, but I parked the car when I saw that Gordon Lightfoot was playing at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village. As usual he was phenomenal, a poet, a consummate performer and after it was over I got to my cab. I drove down McDougal and was hailed by Mr. Lightfoot and his girlfriend/wife? I drove them to the upper west side. We talked about his music. He was such a nice, down to earth guy, great tipper too. His music WAS perfect. RIP
I agree. He was an extraordinarily gifted songwriter. I heard they are adding an additional ringing of the bell recovered from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald during the memorial service in Grand Marais, MI in November, starting this year. They rang it 30 times on the day he passed away, 29 for the crew plus one, for Gordon Lightfoot. God hold and keep you, Mr. Lightfoot. Your music will live forever. ❤❤🥰😇
OMGoodness. Gordon would have been so pleased, and yet…I think he would have said no, don’t. He was so honorable and unassuming. I miss you already, Gordon Lightfoot.
As a proud Canadian, I can say that Gordon Lightfoot stands FAR above most famous Canadians. Nobody in our Home and Native Land can LIVE properly without hearing at least one of his songs. RIP Gordon. No one will ever let you be forgotten!
Gordon Lightfoot was our private songwriter. Regardless of top 40 hits, I always thought he was only speaking to me , that I was the only one listening to him. He was mine to appreciate. Late night, early mornings, long car rides. Gordon was my sidekick. My friends weren’t listening like me. We shared The Beatles, Stones, CSNY but I thought I was Gordon ‘s only fan. Hearing the tributes today by friends and famous alike, I realized we all felt that way. So many of us kept him private and personal. I’m glad I got to see him in 2013 at BB Kings. RIP, Gordon our Minstrel of the Dawn.
Thank you Rick for the great tribute! Love Wreck Of The Edmond Fitzgerald, with the seafaring vibe and mostly because it chronologically tells the story of that disaster so artistically and reverently. The families of the sailors loved the song and how it paid tribute to their men.
Growing up in Canada during the '60s it was impossible not to be captivated by Gordon's records. They were all so perfect. God bless you, Gordon Lightfoot, for sharing your thoughts and talent with the world.
The way Edmund Fitzgerald builds intensity from one verse to the next is like a blockbuster hollywood film. Epic storytelling like no other songwriter of our time.
As a Canadian music teacher, he was always an icon to me. He wrote musical poetry. I taught “Canadian Railroad Trilogy” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” to my Grade 8 and 9 English students as fantastic examples of ballads. His passing has me grieving.
Fellow Canadian here, my dad died just last year and he was the same age. Kinda feels like a second icon died to me. He was great, that year produced a couple of them.
My grandpa was a huge fan of Gordon Lightfoot, I grew up hearing his music. The Railroad Trilogy was one of his favourites because he was a rail man for CN. Canada lost a treasure when we lost Gordon Lightfoot. I could listen to him all day long, so many memories attached to his music. Thank you for this tribute to him.
Oh, man... Gordon seemed to combine a crusty, hardened, very manly exterior with a sensitive and feeling soul. Incredible songwriter. Very thankful I was able to be alive while he was around giving his songs to us. RIP Gordon Lightfoot. What a man.
You guys have all nailed it with these remarks. What a magnificent concept -- exactly the type of Man we need to return to society in this day and age.
I can see in Rick's face how deeply he appreciated and was impacted by Gordon Lightfoot's music and his passing, to the point were I found myself looking so intensely at Rick that I wasn't even listening. I had to go back and play this again to listen. Coming from someone as accomplished as Rick Beato, that says it all. I'm right there with you, Rick. I had a little crappy cassette player too, and would spend hours noodling out Lightfoot tunes recorded off the radio on the cheap acoustic guitar I learned on. The songs, the arrangements, his and Red's playing and of course his unique voice... well I don't know if perfection exists but I sure as hell wouldn't change even a single thing about any of his music. Thank you for this video.
Gordon Lightfoot was one of those rare musicians who everyone seems to love, no matter what genre they're into. I come from a more "hard rock" background, but Gordon's music always had a way of digging its way into my heart. When I heard someone playing "Sundown" as a tribute to him, tears came to my eyes. 😢
"Read my mind" is a song that touches me like no other I've ever heard. Even today, it made me cry, uncontrollably, it's haunting. Words unbelievably original and special. Voice with timber like no other. What a gift to the world. I had no idea he was so prolific, and could write his own charts. What a gift from God, truly.
Maaaan......I am 64 and I am Jamaican. I thought something was wrong with me for a while when I first heard this song in the 70s. To this day that song makes me want to cry like a baby. He was definitely one of the greatest song writers and singers ever. RIP Gordon.
I thought I was the only one. It’s not even the lyrics for me; the melody just destroys me every time. Thank you Rick for this video, and for those of you who made me realize I was in good company.
Great tribute Rick. I heard they rang the bell at the Maritime Sailors Cathedral 30 times after his passing - 29 for the men of the Edmund Fitzgerald and one additional for Gordon.
Thank you Rick for this incredible tribute to a Canadian Legend. As a Canadian we don’t think our artists get much attention outside Canada so to watch this video was incredibly moving.
Don't worry Mate. Some of us in Aust always appreciated Gordon's great talent. A great Canadian musician and lyricist. ( Loved my time in Canada in 84!!)
Sorry you are very worng. I spanish, now 75, I knew Gordon since I was 22. At that time I lived in West España, we already used to here and admired Gordon
I was fortunate enough to see Gordon live several times in the late 1970s. Not only was he wonderful, but the musicianship of his band just blew me away. I was a live band junkie at the time, and have seen about 200 groups from the 70s through the 90s, but I have NEVER heard a band play live with such perfection. I remember to this day how impressed I was.
Every time I listen to a Lightfoot song, I am struck that there are NO wasted words in his lyrics. Every word matters, every word has a meaning. Great writer, obviously, but maybe an even greater editor of his own words.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is so beautifully haunting. It's like you feel the atmosphere of what's happening. Such talent will never be matched. R.I.P. Gordon
We were in that same storm, it was a night you never forget, and I was hundreds of miles south. When Gordon did the song, I took it as a personal tip of the hat to all of those that suffered, but also to all of us who remembered that night.
So in the early 70’s, I treated my mother and sister to third row seats at the Philadelphia Academy of Music for a Gordon Lightfoot concert. They were both fans and had birthdays a few days apart. My mother raved about it for decades. Now all three of them are gone. It remains my favorite concert I never went to. And since I never saw him myself, has supplied decades of vicarious memories for me still. Thank you Gordon.
Gordon Lightfoot, Dan Fogelberg,James Taylor, John Denver, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel all came from this vein of incredible song story writters and muscicans who understood what it took to structure a song in such a way that no matter how many times you hear one of their songs, , you will never forget it.
They came from the era of singer songwriters. There was an amazing amount of talent in that group. I don’t think you meant to be sexist but your list is all men. Don’t forget women such as Carole King and Joni Mitchell.
@@malucouttolenc3345 I agree with you 100%! When I read the news of Gordon's death on PBS, I cried for an hour straight! Not only tears of sorrow, but tears of anger. As in, "Why'd ya have to leave?". I actually got the chance to see him in concert at the Cuthbert Amphitheater in Eugene, Oregon in 2015. Man I'm gonna miss him so! I wish we could have actually met each other backstage, and I wish I could have shared with him the song I wrote about how much I looooooooooooooove his music! It's sad that he died in the hospital, and they say he battled a long illness. When I told my sweet love, Johnny what happened, he wanted to tell me that Gordon died, but I told him I already knew! I've had dreams of him meeting me in a restaurant, where I could share my song with him. I bet he would be very touched that I went to great lengths to tell him he's a handsome guy with a beautiful voice! I remember saying that to him when he sang, "Beautiful" at his concert. I thought he was singing it just for me! And I said, "Aww Gordon, thank you! And you're a handsome guy, too. With a lovely, beautiful voice!". My American mom says I smiled so big that I almost headbutted the guy sitting across from me!
I saw Gordon Lightfoot, when I was in college at Illinois State University’s auditorium. I was totally blown away with his talent & his performance. He was so relatable to the audience, too. It was so quiet while he was singing. “If You Could Read Your Mind” got a standing ovation! Chills & tears come my mind. We lost a GREAT & GIFT talent when Gordon passed. Loved “Sun Down”, also. There are hardly any songs that Gordon wrote/sang that I didn’t live or live. I don’t know, if anyone comes close to Gordon’s songs for me. Thank you for this trip with Gordon.😂❤
Gordon performed at North Central College in Naperville Illinois and was in town several days before the concert. He would sit in the local diner, nursing a cup of tea for hours, and talking to anyone who approached him. At the concert he invited about 25 students to sit around him on stage while he performed. The Renaissance had DaVinci, Raphael, Michaelangelo. We had Gordon Lightfoot who sculpted music better than any of those masters could with a brush. He brought tears of hope to all who listened.
Gordon was the pride of Orillia Ontario, my hometown... My Grandmother was a huge fan, and in turn so was my father, and then me as well. We were playing Gordon Lightfoot all day at work the other day... They've been leaving flowers by his statues at both the Orillia Opera House, and Tudhope Park both in the heart of Orillia. Rest in Peace Gord... Thank you so much Rick! This was fantastic!
The great soft rock/folk greats from the 70's cannot be rated too highly. Gordon Lightfoot, Jim Croce, John Denver... musicians like that are true legends. Gordon Lightfoot's recordings have something that The Beatles have- everything is just perfect, you couldn't pull a note or a syllable out of place. Just so perfect.
I am not an expert in the music field but Gordon Lightfoot was my father’s favorite artist. I lost dad in a car accident in 1980 when I was 6 years old. Gordon Lightfoot’s music was a way that I could connect with dad over the years. Sad to say that Mr. Lightfoot’s passing yesterday was like losing dad all over again. I know that he is making the angels tap their toes and letting them know about what the human experience is all about. R.I.P. Gordon and thank you for the gifts that you have left behind.
Same story here, my dad and I shared this love and when my dad passed it was so hard to listen to Lightfoot. But over time it became my therapy and a way to bring back great memories. We’ll always have the music and the memories
Gordon Lightfoot will forever be a Canadian National Treasure. Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute to him. Much love and light to you and yours always from the beautiful east coast of Canada! ♥️🕊🇨🇦🕊♥️
Grew up near Lake Michigan, I always thought that's what an ocean looks like. I'm 68, and every single time I hear Edmond Fitzgerald, I still get a tear in my eyes. Have loved Gordon forever. Wonderful tribute, Rick, thank you.
When you're out on the lake it makes no difference that it isn't an ocean. It is a monstrously big, deep lake. It behaves like an ocean so it may as well be one.
I agree. I live near Chicago Illinois. This song always gives me chills. I am 57 years old. And after hearing it I did research to find out what happened to the Big Fitz. I can't help but to sing along .
There aren’t enough superlatives to capture who and what Gordon Lightfoot was. Under appreciated even though he had widespread recognition, he likely inspired and certainly influenced thousands and thousands of players during his lifetime. Godspeed Gordo! Rest easy.
I finally was able to watch the documentary last night and again this morning. I’ve realized another part of my youth is gone. Gordon is one of the best ever singer songwriters. Now it’s time to explore his music in more detail. 💔Thank you Rick for this episode. ❤️
I thought I was the only one who listened to Gordon a million times. Been 53 years of listening my kids grew up on Gordon. Saw him in 96. God bless his soul!
"If You Could Read My Mind" is just sublime. A Masterclass in songwriting, arrangement, recording, etc. Phenomenal lyrics sung by a voice equal parts gold and honey.
I grew up on Gordon Lightfoot.... In Canada he's a national hero. His brilliant lyrics and melodies will live on forever. His musical story telling is unique and will bring joy to all who investigate. Like the Ontario 1980 commercial. His musical genius is 'yours to discover'.
I used to sing "Care free highway " at my gigs back in the 70's and really appreciated the lyrics, guitar fills and structure of this song. I'm sure he influenced my songwriting for many years to come and love the story telling aspect or all his songs, especially " If you could read my mind", it painted such a moving picture of love and loss.
Rick, so many of us in Canada greatly appreciate your musical contribution and beautiful commentary. Gordon Lightfoot was a musical poet and one of a kind.
As a young guy growing up in the UK, I was aware of Gordon from a comedy series on tv in the 90's featuring a guy called Dom Jolly. When I first heard "if you could read my mind" , I was blown away. What a powerful song. Also went on to explore his work and found "Sundown", another masterpiece. Another legend gone.
I'm from Minnesota, and Gordon became HUGE here after "The Edmund Fitzgerald" came out. It was as though he became Minnesota's adopted son. And to this day I love going to Duluth or Ely or Grand Marais, and listen to Gordon's songs. All his songs scream Minnesota! As you drive along the North Shore of Lake Superior and listen to his songs you are on "Carefree Highway", or take a break at a rest stop on a cool rainy day wearing a sweatshirt and walking with a close friend, you become "Rainy Day People". Or the BEST, watching a sunset on Lake Superior while listening to "Sundown". You are right Rick. This man was one of a kind.
If you're interested, the Headstones (a legendary Canadian band) did a cover of it a few years ago. Faster tempo. It might even be in the documentary Rick was talking about.
Great tribute. My first concert ever was Gordon Lightfoot at the Auditorium Theater in Chicago when I was 11 years old. This was the Summertime Dream tour, and he brought out wives of some of the crewmen from the Edmund Fitzgerald and had them ring a bell in honor of them. I'm 56 now, and I'll never forget it. He is by far my favorite songwriter. And kudos to my Dad for dragging us out for it ❤️
You are so right … PERFECTION!! It’s 12:49 am and I’m searching for Gordon’s song Beautiful.. I had to hear it.!! It’s so cool to see another person “get it”… 👍🏼💙🎶🎵
I'm Australian. My Canadian boyfriend introduced me to G Lightfoot in '69. We courted to his music. We married with his music, his stories. His music has been the soundtrack of my life since then. I travelled across Canada to his music - a beautiful road trip I never wanted to end. I know the words to so many of his songs [even the Edmund Fitzgerald!]. Those stories - a conxummate musician, an unparalleled story teller. Vale the troubador
I've been a folk singer for 55 years, and Gordon Lightfoot's songs have always been my favorite due to the 12-string adaptations and the inspiring lyrics. My heart aches that I will now never hear another new masterpiece from that gifted musician. RIP, Mr. Lightfoot, and thank you for the themes of my life.
Fantastic! Being from Michigan, we have “lived” with Gordon Lightfoot and The Edmund Fitzgerald in our hearts always and forever. Yes, what a great song writer and performer. Thank you for popping up in my feed today. Enjoy our blessings each and every day.
I had a chance to meet Gordon back stage at an L.A. concert where he signed my Summertime Dream album. I told him that Shadows was my favorite album. He told me his record company was shafting him by refusing to ship albums to record stores.
I grew up in Detroit, MI and I always had the same feeling as you that because we were so close to Canada their artists were somehow more ours than the rest of the States. Gord was always one of my favorites. Such an amazing storyteller. A modern troubadour that will be remembered forever. RIP Gord. You brought a lot of love and joy to this world.
You touched on the thing that truly makes Gordon Lightfoot’s music great. You can listen to it a million times and every time the music and the lyrics will have the same effect on you as if you were hearing it for the first time. Each time you listen to a song you notice some tiny element that you never noticed before. Gordon Lightfoot truly was one of the best songwriters and story tellers this world has ever seen.
I think you are absolutely right. I have been listening to this man, (consciously) since I was 12. As a Detroit child I’ll bet anything I had heard Gordon Lightfoot before… But, what I know for sure is the lyrics and the music have shaped a lot of people’s lives. We know what we know about some life and love from Gordon. Plain talk about hard subjects. I always fell sideways right into his lyrics and music. He was perfection. Always will be to me.
I loved the documentary, too. A Must See. The 70s were my era of music and I loved Gordon’s music. I grew up on Lake Superior and always loved The Edmund Fitzgerald.
I was fortunate enough to Gordon 9 times in concert. His songs are master pieces and at the height of his vocal powers absolutely incredible in concert. While not mentioned much in the comments here, it is worth lustening to some of his deeper cuts that are a mazing too. Some of my favorites are The Minstrel of the Dawn, Christian Island, Miguel, Song for a Winter's Night, Mother of a Miner's Child, and on and on.... Two not well known, but great albums of the early '80's were Shadows and Salute. He used to joke, in a nod to Michael Jackson, that they would have sold better if he knew how to moon walk! Rest in peace Gordon.
The man took hold of my soul with his music,I'm a man of 57 years and have been crying like a baby for 2 days now I just can't believe he's gone...thank you Mr Lightfoot for your wonderful music I will always remember 😔
You are not alone EL INDIO in sheading the tears man. Me too at age 63. I share in your spirit and loss of our Gordon. Wow...this is truly surreal to me. Wishing you a healing heart.
I'm nearly 63 and know nothing about musical composition, but I know the music of Gordon Lightfoot. The song; If You Could Read My Mind, still after all these years, brings back old memories and feelings from when I was a young man. When I hear it I still feel my first love. It's a song that can turn any muted heart into a poet, and it has mine. If ever there was a reason for a song writer and performer to be described as divinely inspired to teach us about romance and how to feel with our hearts, then God gave us all Gordon Lightfoot. When I heard he'd died, i was driving home from the grocery store and had to pull over because I couldn't see. I wanted to get out my car and stop traffic and ask for a moment of complete silence from the entire world.
Like Rick, I’m on the verge of tears. No, wait, honestly, I’m actually crying. Gordon Lightfoot is literally my favorite singer / songwriter. Like Rick says, all of Gordon’s lyrics and arrangements are musical perfection. He’s not only a Canadian treasure, he’s indeed a paragon all across the English-speaking world. Rest in peace, Gordo. And thank you for all you have given to mankind. -JM
The lyrics of this song is incredible. Gordon was a phenomenal songwriter. I don’t think there’s anyone today, that can write songs like this, with its content and meaning. Particularly at the age Gordon was when he wrote this. Just amazing 😢. RIP Gordon Lightfoot.
" Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn minutes to hours "..... having 6 years of sea duty in the USCG during the 70's and 80s, that line has a special meaning for me and all sailors. RIP Gordon, you told tales and lifted the heart and soul !
As a Canadian, I’m sure the pride we have for Gord being one of our own is common north of the border, but I’m truly moved by your heartfelt and poignant tribute to this masterful troubadour who touched so many lives with his songs. Early Morning Rain, Edmund Fitzgerald and Canadian Railroad Trilogy are tops for me. They are sewn into the fabric of my youth. Thank you. RIP Gord
Two of my biggest musical heroes.. And I cried when I found out when each had died... Canada's own Gordon Lightfoot and Gordon Downie. I was lucky enough to see Gordon Lightfoot in concert three times and The Hip six times.
I too was going to mention both Gord’s. Regretfully I never saw Lightfoot in concert, except maybe on CBC when I was a kid. I did see the Hip though a dozen or more times. Some brilliant songwriting on both fronts. Cheers 🍻
This morning The Mariner's Church in Detroit rang its bell 30 times -- 29 times for the Sailors on The Edmund Fitzgerald and once for Gordon Lightfoot. Hearing that made me cry the way I really needed to. THANK YOU for this Rick!
I learned to play acoustic guitar because of Gordon, getting serious in the early 80's. His voice was also more or less in my range too, so that it made it easy to learn to sing. Growing up in eastern Michigan we got Canadian radio almost better than US stations. Loved your tribute, Rick. I just spent the last eight days on the road, and the entire Lightfoot discography was on in the car the whole trip. I did see him in concert several times since back in the late 70's. The last one was 2019 in the fall before COVID. His voice was shadow of its former glory, but the Great Entertainer shone through and it was a magical show. I always wanted to meet him and personally thank him for all the music, but alas. When I first heard that he passed, I spent about 90 minutes on the back porch swing playing his tunes to the warm evening.
Shhh .... don't tell the others but THIS is my favorite comment. Your words are wonderful. This especially (Gord would have loved) "When I first heard that he passed, I spent about 90 minutes on the back porch swing playing his tunes to the warm evening."
I'm so happy you created this video honoring someone who is tragically underrated by the American audience at large. Very few singer/songwriters have the ability to bring me to the verge of tears, be the song sad or ecstatic. Gordon Lightfoot was one of the very rare musicians who could do this. Everyone knows the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and perhaps If You Could Read my Mind, but my favorites have always been Old Dan's Records (so uplifting and today one can imagine Lightfoot himself as Dan in the song), the Canadian Railroad Trilogy (a masterpiece that brings the Canadian wilderness and the rough life of railroad workers in the 1800's to life. The opening lines are pure poetry: "There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run, when the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun. Long before the white man and long before the wheel, when the green dark forest was too silent to be real." That last line still gives me shivers.) and , my personal all time favorite: Early Morning Rain. That song still brings tears to my eyes. Damn, one of the tragedies of growing old is losing the people who brought pleasure to living, and Gordon Lightfoot was one of the finest and least assuming of them all. Rest in peace Gordon and thank you, Rick, for this.
Thank you Rick Beato for giving a wonderful tribute to Lightfoot. I have been in love with Gordon Lighfoot since I was 17. I walked into a sears roebuck and was browsing the albums. I came across this album with a picture of a gorgeous man and fell in love. I bought the album on a whim and that was it. It was Don Quixote, and he and that album have been my all time favorites. His music inspired me to take a train from Vancouver to Quebec and I had to see Alberta. I was a folk singer in the 70's and played alot of his music. Forty five years later I am trying to play again and can't remember how I played them. Sorry I never met him, he was on my bucket list. His Canadian Railroad Trilogy is a masterpiece combining 3 different themes. I will miss him terribly, but thank God we have his music.
On our one year dating anniversary I “gave” my then girlfriend /future wife of 30+ years, “Beautiful.” Its simple, soft perfection summed up everything we were to each other. A few years later, we had the song title inscribed on our wedding bands and the band played it as we had our first dance. Three decades, three kids later, that song still represents and reflects everything that matters to me. This is what great art by a great artist can do.
Today was the first time I watched the show on Goron Lightfoot. He was and is one of my favorite Artists, whom I think still doesn't get the proper attention and credit he deserves as an Artist. Thank you so much for showing the love and respect for hie imagination and creativity. So thank you so much for keeping Goeon Lightfoot, alive in this day of lacking for great music. Again THANK You!!!
