I recall reading an interview a woman journalist did with Gordon Lightfoot way back in the day. Somewhere in the 1970s I believe. He was arrogant, condescending, sexist.

I didn't think much of it at the time expecting some defensiveness from artists who were constantly in the limelight.    I was not aware of his substance abuse issues.

Then he turned it around and he became this incredibly gracious, nice person to not only fellow musicians and song writers but to journalists and fans alike.

There was so much to admire.

Gordon Lightfoot in 1992 on his battle with alcoholism

• 31 years ago
• Archives
• Duration1:39

In his own quiet way, he tries to help others beat the bottle. Aired July 9, 1992 on CBC at Six.

Michael Palin announces the death of his wife Helen

Monty Python star said his ‘dearest wife’ died ‘peacefully’ a month after the pair celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.

Some of my favorite Gordon's songs you rarely hear...

 marko86 wrote: I always liked this one...

 I 've been singing Early Morning Rain all day  GeneP59 wrote: 

 Proclivities wrote:
I agree. He had his own space.  Very unique voice. Hollow kind of. Longing.

 kcar wrote:
He did have that kind of mellow, acoustic vibe and all, but I never associated his music with that Laurel Canyon, granola-rock stuff.

 marko86 wrote:

The song was so beautifully suited to his distinctive voice that it's hard to imagine others covering it well. It's also got a slower beat and the lyrics mix jealousy, desire, regret and hints of self-destruction. Sundown's an absolute classic that help define the 70s for me, but I don't who could work with it today. For some reason I associate it with Southern California and stuff that the Eagles did back then. 

I read a little about Cathy Smith and her relationship with Lightfoot. Wow, Sundown's a very tidied-up version of that hot mess. 

 Red_Dragon wrote:

I watched him play outside during the beginning of the Covid outbreak online and thought how he looked tired, but still sounded good.

To Gordon, your songs gave us mind journey imaginations as you sung.  

 Red_Dragon wrote:

*sigh* that along with Tim Bachman just took a pretty good chunk out of my high school music memories

 DaveInSaoMiguel wrote:

Damn BTO took a real hit this year.  Saw them at our local hall about 25 years ago when they passed through.  

 marko86 wrote:
Yes, it is a very good song; I'm also surprised it hasn't been covered more.  I'd always heard it was inspired by his relationship with Cathy Smith.

 Red_Dragon wrote:

I have always wondered why there isn't more covers of his song Sundown. It is such a perfection of a song. RIP Gordo

 Red_Dragon wrote:

 kurtster wrote:


 i remember this!

 Red_Dragon wrote:
I remember thinking that he must live in a log cabin somewhere deep in the woods based on his music.. Then in the late 70's I saw an interview on tv with him where he said he lived in a high rise luxury condo in a big city. Still loved his music and still have the LP's of his I bought back then.

Tim Bachman, guitarist for Bachman-Turner Overdrive, dead at 71

I saw him as the headliner in a 1 day music festival. The people I was with had seen him in concert several times before and only stayed for his set so I could say I saw him. They were right, you would be better off just buying the records. But truly an icon.