Gordon Lightfoot

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Gordon Lightfoot's Bio: Gordon Lightfoot was born on November 17, 1938 in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. His parents recognized and encouraged his interest in music; his first appearance as Massey Hall in Toronto, now a revered standard in his tour schedule, was just before he turned 13, as the winner of a competition for boys with unchanged voices.

After a background in barbershop quartets, and as a member of a duo, Lightfoot struck out on his own in the early 60s. He had written perhaps 75 songs, when he was caught up in the country music scene and folk revival of the time; Bob Dylan's music and a song by Merle Travis, Dark As A Dungeon, combined with his sensitivity, inventiveness and beautiful voice, resulted in his unique songwriting and singing style. In less than two years, between late '61 and sometime in 1963, his sound and his life changed forever.

His music was discovered in 1964, when he was performing on the Toronto folk scene; Fellow Canadians Ian and Sylvia chose two of his songs, Early Mornin' Rain and For Lovin' Me for their next record, aptly named for the first song.

Ian Tyson introduced Lightfoot to Albert Grossman, their manager and also the manager of Peter, Paul and Mary, Gibson & Camp, and Bob Dylan. Peter, Paul and Mary recorded the same two songs as Ian and Sylvia and enjoyed considerable success with them, getting a Billboard top 100 hit with one of them. Marty Robbins recorded Lightfoot's Ribbon Of Darkness, as he says "in Gordon Lightfoot's style", and took it to the top of the Billboard Country charts.

Albert Grossman signed Lightfoot and under that arrangement he recorded five albums for United Artists, four studio albums and one live album - to this day, the only live album he has ever released.

Since emerging from the Toronto folk club scene in the early ‘60s, Gordon Lightfoot has recorded 19 albums (14 for Warner Bros. or Reprise Records). He has had five Grammy nominations and has won 17 Juno Awards in his native Canada. In 1970, in recognition of his contributions in furthering Canadian culture, he received the prestigious Order of Canada citation; in November 1997 he was presented the Governor General’s Award—the highest official Canadian honor, which is conferred on very few (Joni Mitchell is another) for their international efforts in spreading Canadian culture. Gordon was also honored as a charter member of Canada’s Walk of Fame and most recently was elevated to the "companion" of the Order of Canada (highest level) in December. Gordon also was just inducted into The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

"Lightfoot's voice is such a part of the fabric of Canada, I know it almost as well as I know my own voice." - David Foster

But besides his albums, Lightfoot has composed a catalog of classic hits—for himself and varied others. The list of artists who have recorded Lightfoot’s songs include Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Sarah McLachlan, Barbra Streisand, Peter Paul & Mary, Harry Belafonte, Jane’s Addiction, Ian & Sylvia, Richie Havens, Glen Campbell, Anne Murray and Nana Mouskouri. … Read more