Impressionist paintings turned into jigsaw puzzles are always a bit more difficult. And I’ve been really slow with this one because of coaching, being sick, the whole thing. I got back to it this week, so we’ll see how it progresses.
My heart broke a little last night. While Don and I were watching an old movie, my sister texted me that Gordon Lightfoot passed away. Meredith remembers spending time in my bedroom listening to his albums when she was little.
I was a steadfast fan for over 50 years. I saw him in concert several times in the Detroit area and I saw him again about 14 years ago with Don. I had the honor of meeting him backstage at Masonic Auditorium in Detroit. (Those were the days you could just wander onstage or backstage and no one tried to stop you.) My dear friend Becky, who reads this blog, and I attended many a concert.
He was from Orillia, Ontario, the town where my mother was born. And her mother. So I always felt an extra-special kinship with him.
I remember the very first time I heard “If You Could Read My Mind” – I was spellbound. I had never heard anything like it. The beauty of the songwriting, that voice, that vibrato – it captured the love and longing of that song perfectly. I remember everything about that moment in time. From that point forward, I gobbled up everything he had done. I bought every album. I have photos of him that my friend Scott, who accompanied Becky and I, took backstage.
He was a troubadour. And beloved everywhere, but especially in his native Canada.
Oh, how I’ll miss him. Thank you, Gordon, for years and years and years of your beautiful songs and your voice, a gift from the angels. Rest in Peace.
That’s all for today.
Stay safe.
Happy Tuesday.
Aww, RIP, Mr. Lightfoot. Takes me back to eight-track tapes in our Chevy van, towing the HobieCat to the lake…
Such memories.
Stay safe, Shanna.
I was so sad to hear of his passing yesterday also. While I never had the pleasure of seeing him in concert his albums were a huge part of my life. ‘If You Could Read My Mind’ has been playing in my head for hours. As I’m aging so many of the people who influenced me growing up are passing. It’s the circle of life. RIP Gordon Lightfoot, you were a treasure.
Such a haunting and beautiful song, Linda.
Stay safe.
Oh, now I know why I saw some stray online pieces about him last night; I hadn’t pulled them up; hadn’t realized he had passed. Yes, yes; his music is a soundtrack of our younger lives. One song after another; he got a lot of AM airplay in Southern Calif when we didn’t have FM on radios yet. Of course I’ve always liked the haunting, “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald”. I was just reading about him since you posted; and, what a shame, he had suffered some poor health for sure; yet a long life to almost age 85 (what more can any of us hope for?). What I’d read said that he often played with the same band members who’d been with him ‘forever’; a lot of loyalty. I’m glad you spoke of him today, Claudia. Thanks.
At least one of his original band members, Red Shea died about 15 years ago. But his career was so long that the band members spoken about had been with him a long time.
Stay safe, Vicki.
I too gave very fond memories of seeing him in concert. My first date with Mark (serious boyfriend) was to see Gordon perform. He was in a suit and tie! While I didn’t like his voice right off (not a vibrato person), I soon realized that his voice matched his songs perfectly. I recently saw the documentary on him and while he didn’t look healthy, he was still touring and writing. He was a prolific and masterful songwriter. What a legacy he left.
I remember Mark. I loved his vibrato and it suited his songwriting style for sure. Loved that documentary. He looked frail when we saw him in Tarrytown NY and his voice was weaker due to tracheotomy. But I loved seeing him at a later stage of life, a full circle moment.
xoxo
Love you, Becky.
I also saw the Edmund Fitzgerald go by on it’s maiden voyage. I worked downtown in an office building next to Cobo Hall, up on the 10th floor. We saw the ship go by, complete with fire hoses from tugs. It was huge. So sad when those 29 sailors died.
Apparently not it’s maiden voyage—I would have been 6! But a voyage that was an event for Detroit.
What a lovely tribute you have written about Gordon Lightfoot. I never saw him in person but loved his beautiful music. He will be missed. Has it stopped raining enough for you to get out in the garden, Claudia? Hope Don’s thumb is feeling better every day. Hugs, Elaine
Not really. It’s still raining every day. The weekend should be dry.
Stay safe, Elaine.
I am sad. Gordon Lightfoot was a legend and I saw him perform in Canada & the US. I watched the documentary which was extremely well done and interesting. Thanks for your wonderful post today.
Yes that was a wonderful documentary.
Thanks so much, Anne.
Stay safe.
condolences to mr. lightfoot’s family, friends and fans.
glad you could hear a favorite in person so many times, claudia.
i never had any of gl’s albums, just heard what came on the radio, but agree with what you wrote … his voice and that song were perfectly matched.
maybe that jigsaw puzzle will be just right for you today, to either hold your focus or let your mind wander …
super-windy again all day yesterday and today it is chilly. much to do around here and i don’t feel like doing any of it, just want it done … but it doesn’t work that way so best i get going.
happy, safe tuesday to everyone!
kathy
Yes, we’ve had a lot of wind and rain. Seems endless!
Stay safe, Kathy.
“Superior, it’s said, never gives up its dead”……….hubs and I went on a Fall weekend trip up to Lake Superior when that song was popular. I remember driving up to a “beach” area on the Lake and hearing that song on the radio. It is a big and COLD rocky lake for sure!!! I always thought of his music as haunting. Beautiful words!!
Another cold and windy day here. BUT, supposed to be 70* by the weekend!!!! Plant planning and shopping shall commence!! Hope you are having a good day. Take care.
Yes, we swam in Lake Superior once and I’ll never forget how cold it was!
I like haunting music, I’m drawn to it.
Yay for planting soon!
Stay safe, Chris.
I also saw Gordon at the Masonic Auditorium in Detroit. Unfortunately, our seats were not in a good acoustic spot. I still sing his songs, especially “If you could read my mined.” RIP, Gordon.
Loved Masonic – I saw so many concerts there!
Stay safe, Martha.
Very sad indeed. I saw him quite a few times in concert in Michigan. Never disappointed. Such a poet, storyteller, just spellbinding. Songs from the heart. “I Wish You Good Spaces in the Faraway Places You Go”, and “Bless You All and Keep You on the Road to Tenderness”, beautiful lyrics. I sing “The Pony Man” to my little grandson. His CDs are in my car still, never to forget. RIP sir.
One of my favorites is “Too Late for Praying” which I listened to yesterday. As always, it made me cry.
Stay safe, Penny.
It’s interesting to read all the comments from the Lightfoot fans. By the 70’s I was totally immersed in classical music and there isn’t much from that decade (or the 80’s for that matter) that I can remember. Except for musical theater. I’ve now listened to some of his stuff the last couple days and he really had a beautiful voice. Now his music will always be there just waiting to be rediscovered all over again.
I was never immersed in just one genre of music – Just like now, I had a lot of musical irons in the fire! Same with hobbies.
Yes, he had a gorgeous voice, Kay. Glad you’re listening to him. There was truly no one else like him.
Stay safe, Kay.
Your mother and grandmother’s hometown and Gordon Lightfoot’s hometown is also my hometown. My sister went to high school with him. He never stopped loving Orillia and we never stopped loving him. There’s an amazing sculpture of him in one of our parks and another at our Opera House. I saw him in concert at our Mariposa Folk Festival, where he could often be found.
I was a huge John Denver fan and the first time I saw Gordon live was when he suddenly and unexpectedly took the stage with John at Canada’s Wonderland and they sang together. It was unforgettable.
When I heard the news last night, my heart broke a little too. Thank you for sharing your memories.
Love this, Colleen. The last time I was in Orillia was in the early eighties when we took my grandmother back there to see it one last time. We saw the family’s farmhouse and the town. I was charmed by Orillia. I’d love to visit again some day with a side trip to Owen Sound, which was my grandfather’s birthplace.
Thanks so much.
Stay safe.
I hadn’t heard about Gordon Lightfoot. Now it’s 2:02 am Wednesday morning here, and I’m listening to “If You Could Read My Mind.”
Nothing better to listen to, Linda.
Stay safe.
Gordon Lightfoot will live on forever in our hearts and minds. I was lucky to see him in a small venue in Maine years ago.
I hope Don is feeling much better.
Slowly, but he’s getting frustrated with not being able to do anything! He is experiencing less pain, thank goodness.
Stay safe, Kay.
I was lucky enough to hear him live at Michigan Festival a number of years ago. He did a great show. It was a sad day for music.