The Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, whose songs included “If You Could Read My Mind” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” passed away on Monday at a hospital in Toronto. He was 84.
His family claimed in a statement provided by his publicist, Victoria Lord, that he passed away from natural causes.
Lightfoot earned 17 Juno awards, Canada’s equivalent to the Grammys, and was nominated for five Grammys throughout the course of his career thanks to his evocative lyrics and catchy songs. Lightfoot’s heyday was in the ’70s, when his guitar-driven folk origins bore fruit in the form of more rock and pop-oriented songs like those on his albums ‘Sundown,’ ‘Summertime Dream,’ and ‘Dream Street Rose.
His extensive concert travelling in Canada and the United States helped him maintain a devoted fan base in both countries. Lightfoot has written more than 200 songs, and artists as diverse as Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand, Glen Campbell, and Richie Havens have recorded and performed his work. The folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary recorded his songs “For Lovin’ Me” and “Early Morning Rain” and became successes.
Source: BBC
Gordon Lightfoot Cause of death
Gordon Lightfoot was known to have a warm and approachable demeanour. After hearing the terrible news, many people are likely wondering what killed Gordon Lightfoot. There has been no official word on what killed Gordon Lightfoot. We will update this article as soon as we receive new information. The newsroom does not confirm rumours, but be assured that we are doing all in our ability to learn the truth about this tragedy and bring you the latest details as soon as possible. Please keep in mind, however, that the privacy of the victims’ loved ones must be respected.
Who is Gordon Lightfoot?
Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist, achieved international acclaim in the folk, folk-rock, and country music genres. He is often credited with shaping the sound of folk-pop in the ’60s and ’70s. He was a global folk-rock icon and maybe Canada’s most celebrated songwriter.
Lightfoot was born in Orillia, Ontario on November 17, 1938. Before the singer-songwriter craze propelled him to the top of the international music charts, he was well-known in Canada’s folk scene for several years. By the end of 1970, he was enjoying some success because to the ethereal beauty of “If You Could Read My Mind,” which showcased his supple, assured voice and acoustic guitar.
Originally released as If You Could Read My Mind, the song reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 when it was included on his Reprise album Sit Down Young Stranger and was inspired by his divorce. Topping out at No. 12 on the Billboard 200. Before his 1974 comeback with Sundown, he released three more critically acclaimed albums on Reprise: Summer Side of Life (1971), Don Quixote (1972), and Old Dan’s Records (1972). Additionally, he has released singles that fared poorly on American charts. The album’s title track topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks, earning Lightfoot his only gold certification and making the song his only No. 1 hit in the United States.
Gordon Lightfoot Career
Lightfoot found inspiration in Bob Dylan’s music in 1963, and his songwriting evolved as a result. The famed Canadian folk duet Ian & Sylvia Tyson saw Lightfoot play some of his new work at a club in Toronto and were so taken with it that they began singing some of Lightfoot’s songs themselves. Lightfoot was recruited to a management deal when Ian and Sylvia brought his songs to the notice of their manager, Albert Grossman. Peter, Paul, and Mary had success with “Early Morning Rain” and “For Lovin’ Me” by Lightfoot, while Marty Robbins topped the country charts with “Ribbon of Darkness” by Lightfoot. Lightfoot obtained a recording contract with United Artists Records in 1966, and his self-titled debut album was well received and achieved some success. Lightfoot became a great success in his home Canada between 1967 and 1969, when he recorded three additional studio albums and a live LP for United Artists. These albums frequently spawned hit songs, and he began headlining yearly at Massey Hall to sold-out crowds. His songs were covered by various artists and became popular in the US.
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