Gordon Lightfoot, Canadian folk legend, dead at 84

Gordon Lightfoot is one of my all-time favorite singer songwriters. I have most of his albums, and play them regularly. My wife and I were able to see him about a dozen years ago in San Francisco. He, and his band sounded just like his records. He will be missed!

I bought my first stereo system in late 1982 while a sophomore in college — Yamaha NS-1000 speakers I believe, a Yamaha receiver, and Yamaha turntable. I was a sophomore premed student in a basement male only “dungeon “ single dorm room and virtually all others on the floor were junior premed students heavily immersed in the books. I felt isolated, pretty lonely. I had plenty of friends who then came to listen to vinyl and play cribbage or chess. Fond memories of staying up until the crack of dawn playing cribbage and listening to Gord’s Gold repeatedly. No other album comes close in terms of playtime over the years. Early Morning Rain, Minstrel of the Dawn, Canadian Railroad Trilogy were favorite tracks. That rich warm baritone voice was pure medicine, just what I needed. RIP Gordon.

There are some songs — sounds from songs, really — from when I was young that went in deep.  The harmonica at the beginning of “School” by Supertramp was one.  Another was that haunting guitar line in “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”  Brilliant song — the simplicity and specificity of the lyrics remain a masterclass.

I've been a fan since high school. I have all of his albums including the obscure "Two Tones at the Village Corner". I hope they decide to release this on CD and maybe include other tracks as a CD allows. Really great stuff. Joe

Always loved his music, saw him twice in the 70's at the Spokane Opera House, a good venue. Second time it was the second show of the evening and he looked very tired and things were just not flowing well. Somebody started singing happy birthday to him and we all joined in, many lighting matches, lighters, etc....and he was so moved he said something very nice about it and then really got into his music, as well as his band, and it was a superb concert from then on. I will always remember that as a very special moment in time.

Rick