The light still shines on Gordon Lightfoot

Aug. 10, 2005

When Gordon Lightfoot takes the stage Thursday, August 11 at Interlochen’s Kresge Auditorium it will be a big sigh of relief for his many fans. It was just three years ago that the singer/songwriter had slipped into a coma for several weeks after suffering life-threatening abdominal hemorrhaging while performing in his hometown of Orillia, Ontario, 70 miles north of Toronto.
“I burst an artery and by the time I woke up I was well past the post-operative pain,” said Lightfoot. “Having never taken refuge before, I used this time to collect my thoughts. The greatest frustration for me during this period was not being able to tour, so it is great to be back on the road.”

CANADA’S DYLAN
It has been both a successful and satisfying musical road for Lightfoot who will turn 67 this November. He is Canada’s “Bob Dylan” and is often referred to as the “Canadian Poet Laureate.” While Lightfoot is a fan of Dylan’s (what folk singer isn’t?), the admiration is mutual. In 1986 when Lightfoot was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Bob Dylan insisted on making the induction.
“Every time I hear a song of his I wish it would last forever,” said Dylan. “Of course I am inspired by Gordon and I often sing his songs. He is one of the best of all time.”
Dylan isn’t the only to think so. Lightfoot actually was better known as a songwriter early in his career. He began getting recognition for his songwriting talents in the mid-1960s when his songs “For Lovin’ Me” and “Early Morning Rain” became hits for Peter, Paul & Mary. Then country legend Marty Robbins topped the charts with Lightfoot’s “Ribbon of Darkness.” Others who have recorded Lightfoot tunes include Elvis Presley, Barbara Streisand, Jane’s Addiction, Sarah McLachlan and Jimmy Buffet.
“I’ve always been trying to write songs like Lightfoot,” said Jimmy Buffet. “For example, my song ‘Come Monday’ is a direct result of me trying to write a Gordon Lightfoot song.”

‘THAT SONG’
While others have recorded and had hits with his songs, Lightfoot has had his share of recording success as well. In 1970 he recorded his first big hit, “If You Could Read My Mind,” and a few years later he would follow it up with the number one song “Sundown.” But there is one song that seems to forever shadow Lightfoot, a song that at times he has tired of and has disappointed fans in the past by not performing.
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” has become legendary in maritime and folk circles. He is so attached to the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald (November 10, 1975 on Lake Superior) that many fans believe he is from Michigan.
“Well, during the 1960s I lived in Detroit with Joni Mitchell (yes the folk legend who is also from Canada) and her husband Chuck,” said Lightfoot. “They lived near Wayne State University so I performed around the area quite a bit.”
With the 30th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald just a few months away, Lightfoot still isn’t interested in discussing the song. In the past he has performed at major anniversary celebrations but currently has no shows scheduled for this November.

A MARINER’S SONG
As for the song itself, legend has it that Lightfoot, a mariner himself who once spent five weeks canoeing Lake Superior, was flying to the west coast and was reading an article about the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking. He became so incensed that the writer misspelled the name of the boat, that when he arrived in LA he sat in his hotel room for three days and wrote the song.
“It was something like that,” said Lightfoot. “Look, sure I love this song, especially when I perform it, because I see what it does to the audience. It is among my favorites, but so is “Beautiful,” and “Early Morning Rain.” And I know a lot of others love “Early Morning Rain,” because it has been recorded by many (including Elvis Presley).

Lightfoot’s apprehension to discuss the song is really a result of who he is as a person. He has been described as shy, but in reality he is reserved. It is easier for him to speak through his music than about it. Additionally, no singer/songwriter wants his whole body of work defined by one song.
Ironically, Lightfoot’s career of writing hits sunk with the release of “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” in 1976. He has yet to record another hit song or album. Yet fans of Lightfoot’s would argue this that it wasn’t his work -- it was folk music dying out among fans. Folk-based artists like Dylan, Joni Mitchell and Cat Stevens all suffered through the 1980s without hits, yet their legacies continue.

TRUE FOR EVERYONE
Lightfoot isn’t concerned about the dry spells that he and every singer/songwriter go through.
“Sure I’ve gone through dry spells, but isn’t that true for everyone in life? You just work through it; we all have to. Everyone who works has frustrations, but you keep at it and some days are better than others. I just keep at it and at the end of the day it is all that any of us can do.”
Lightfoot is touring in support of his current CD, “Harmony,” which he started recording prior to his coma. He continued work on the album after regaining consciousness while still in the hospital, by meeting daily with his band. The album has received much praise from critics and Canada’s troubadour proves that he still writes with passion and inspiration.
Gordon Lightfoot has had a remarkable career and has even defied death (abdominal artery rupture is the 13th leading cause of death in North America). He credits his ability to survive his life-threatening ordeal from years of working out, as a result of “owing it to his fans” to stay in shape. Despite having a tracheotomy and major damage to his abdominal muscles Lightfoot has committed himself to carrying on again, saying he “owes it to his fans.”
Somehow it seems it is really the other way around. Gordon Lightfoot is an inspiration, not only musically, but as a person, and at the end of the day you really can’t ask for more than that.

Gordon Lightfoot and his band will perform at Interlochen’s Kresge Auditorium August 11. The show is nearing sell out. For additional information or to get tickets visit www.interlochen.org or call the Interlochen Box Office at (800) 681-5920.