- Born
- Died
- Birth nameGordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr.
- Height6′ (1.83 m)
- Gordon Lightfoot may have been one of the most accomplished and well-known singer-songwriters to come out of Canada.
He is internationally known for such monumental folk/pop/rock hits as "Sundown", "If You Could Read My Mind", "Early Mornin' Rain", "Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald", and many more. His songs have been covered by such music giants as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Glen Campbell and Don Williams. Lightfoot began his music career fronting a variety of rock & roll bands around Toronto while still in his teens.
In 1958, aged 19, he relocated to Los Angeles where he found work writing jingles for TV commercials but returned to Toronto in 1962 where he rapidly became a fixture in the city's burgeoning folk music scene. He made his first records for a local Toronto label in 1963 but it wasn't until he signed a major record deal and released his first album in 1966 that he became widely known. In 1970, he scored his first top ten hit with "If You Could Read My Mind", beginning a decade of chart-topping albums and hit songs highlighted by his #1 hit in 1974 with "Sundown".
After nearly 20 years of success, Lightfoot went into self-imposed semi-retirement in the late 1980s but reemerged in 1993 with the highly acclaimed album, "Waiting For You". His 1998 album, "Painter Passing Through", drew high praise from critics and fans.
- IMDb mini biography by: Fred Haber
- SpousesKim Hasse(December 19, 2014 - May 1, 2023) (his death)Elizabeth Moon(1989 - 2011) (divorced, 2 children)Brita Ingegerd Olaisson(April 6, 1963 - 1973) (divorced, 2 children)
- ChildrenFred LightfootIngrid LightfootEric LightfootMiles LightfootGaylen McGee
- ParentsJessica Vick TrillGordon Meredith Lightfoot Sr.
- RelativesBeverley Joan "Bev" Lightfoot(Sibling)
- His distinctive baritone voice
- His moustache, which he has worn consistently through the late 1960s and to this day
- Often plays a 12-string guitar and layers his own background vocals on record
- Songs often include references to Canada
- In 2002, suffered a near-fatal ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, similar to the condition that took the life of actor John Ritter. He withstood six weeks in a coma, four surgeries and two years of extensive rehab. His first extensive tour did not happen until 2005.
- Has frequently sung "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" at the annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service at Mariner's Church in Detroit.
- The folk group Peter, Paul and Mary made a hit out of his song "For Lovin' Me". Other artists who did well from his material include Anne Murray, Judy Collins, Richie Havens, and Gordon's real-life idol Bob Dylan.
- The younger of two children, he grew up in Orillia, Ontario, where, as a boy soprano he worked the wedding circuit ("O, Promise Me" and "The Lord's Prayer" were his specialties). He also performed in a church choir, a barbershop quartet and a dance band.
- Pictured on one of four 52¢ Canadian commemorative postage stamps honoring Canadian Recording Artists, issued 29 June 2007. The other stamps pictured Paul Anka, Joni Mitchell, and Anne Murray.
- I was under contract for 33 years, and when you're like that you're always under the gun to produce. You tend to ignore certain things and to become isolated, and you don't spend enough time thinking about other things like the business end and the family and even the live performances. Now I can concentrate on my shows, which is great because that's what I like best anyway. -- GL, during 2007 interview
- I'm a little nuts. I'm a lot nuts. All I know is that in the midst of the madness of this world it's my therapy. The music touches my heartstrings.
- [on avoiding writing his autobiography] I don't like to have to remind myself of everything I hate about myself. It's highly unnecessary. I'm reformed. I'm doing my best. I'm trying hard. I don't want to hurt a soul. I'm just a peace loving guy.
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