Canadian folk music legend Gordon Lightfoot died Monday night in Toronto at the age of 84.
Born in Orillia, Lightfoot created iconic songs that were woven into the fabric of Canada.
After graduating high school, Lightfoot studied at the Westlake College of Music in Los Angeles.
In the 1960s he emerged as a key part of Toronto’s folk scene.
After signing with Warner records, he rose to international stardom in the 1970s, and produced a string of hits including If You Could Read My Mind, Beautiful, Sundown,Carefree Highway, Rainy Day People and The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Gordon Lightfoot also made a number of appearances over the years at the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia.
In a tribute on its website the festival marks his passing as ” a day of national mourning for it means a symbol of grace, humility, and the power of folk music has left us. Lightfoot’s presence will always grace Mariposa as his bronze statue, encircled with a halo of leaves and portraying him sitting and playing his guitar, stands on forever as part of the festival.”
Lightfoot was invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2003.
He has multiple Juno awards, a number of Grammy nominations, and is a member of several halls of fame.
Lightfoot is survived by his wife, Kim, six children, and several grandchildren.
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. May his music continue to inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on forever. To his family,…
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 2, 2023
