Music Legend Gordon Lightfoot Passes Away, Aged 84

Canadian music icon Gordon Lightfoot has passed away.

An official statement released via the folk-pop singer’s Facebook page confirmed that Lightfoot “died peacefully” of “natural causes” on Monday at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto at the age of 84.

“He is survived by his wife Kim Hasse, six children– Fred, Ingrid, Eric, Galen, Miles and Meredith, as well as several grandchildren,” the statement reads.

Lightfoot, famed for classics such as If You Could Read My Mind and The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald, was forced to cancel US and Canadian tour dates last month due to “health-related issues”.

Lightfoot’s songwriting earned him fans including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Barbra Streisand, and more, all of whom covered his material, while Bob Dylan notably referred to him as a “rare talent”.

Gordon Lightfoot’s ninth album, Sundown, is regarded as the pinnacle of his blend of acoustic and folk music. 

While many of his albums are critically acclaimed, his 1974 release reached #1 in the US and topped the Canadian RPM 100 for five consecutive weeks, the first album to achieve that feat in his native Canada. Sundown is also certified Gold in Australia after peaking at #13 on the ARIA Albums Chart.

In 2017, Lightfoot was fifth on CBC Music’s list of the 25 Best Canadian Songwriters Ever. Ronnie Hawkins’ blurb states, “A lot of people think that Gordon Lightfoot is just a superstar in Canada. He's a superstar all over the world

"If you listen very carefully to the words he puts in his songs they're unbelievable. Unbelievable how he puts them together.... Have you listened a lot to Gordon Lightfoot? Well I tell you what? You hear those stories, you can relate to them.”

Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau commented that “we have lost one of our greatest singer-songwriters”. 

Gordon Lightfoot captured our country’s spirit in his music – and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape,” he said.

“May his music continue to inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on forever. To his family, friends, and many fans across the country and around the world: I’m keeping you in my thoughts at this difficult time.”

Gordon Lightfoot left us today..
When Bob Dylan reveres you & turns to you when he needs to,you know you’re dealing with brilliance. From Canada,Mr. Lightfoot became the Mark Twain of folk music.Trains,rivers, loneliness,romance.His songs were covered by just about everybody RIP. pic.twitter.com/ybA6RrdKR9

— Michael Des Barres (@MDesbarres) May 2, 2023

What a genius #GordonLightfoot was. His music is such a big part of my life. Rest in peace. Grateful for the inspiration he gave all of us.

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) May 2, 2023

Gordon Lightfoot has died. He was a great songwriter and a wonderful performer. Sundown, you better take care/If I catch you creepin' 'round my back stairs."

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 2, 2023

Your poetry and melodies are an eternal inspiration. Rest in peace now, Gordon Lightfoot. pic.twitter.com/cF2g0emYey

— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) May 2, 2023

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