Born Gordon Meredith Lightfoot November 17, 1938 in
Orillia,
Ontario,
Canada
Genre -
Folk
Styles - Singer-Songwriter, Folk-Rock
In Lightfoot's 35-year career he has written over four hundred songs, recording over two hundred of them.
Elvis Presley,
Bob Dylan,
George Hamilton IV,
Olivia Newton-John,
Barbra Steisand,
Jerry Lee Lewis,
Johnny Cash,
Tony Rice,
Nanci Griffith and
Sarah McLachlan have all recorded covers of Lightfoot's songs.
Lightfoot worked and performed in
Los Angeles while studying
orchestration at
Westlake College, 1958; debuted in
New York City, 1965; signed first
recording contract, 1966.
What is unique about Lightfoot is that is that he appears to have
heightened senses; he sees, hears and feels things that most of us don't; and then he can create the music and lyrics to help us experience what he does.
What he says and
how he says it leaves a lasting impression.
Discography: If You Could Read My Mind, Summer Side Of Life, Don Quixote, Sundown, Cold On The Shoulder, Summertime Dream, Endless Wire, East Of Midnight, Waiting For You, and A Painter Passing Through.
Awards: Five
Grammy nominations, Winner of 17 Canadian
Juno Awards; for top
folk singer, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977, for top
male vocalist, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1974, and for
composer of the year, 1972 and 1976; recipient of awards from
ASCAP for
songwriting, 1971, 1974, 1976, and 1977; decorated
Order of Canada, 1970; "Sundown" named pop record of the year, 1974, by
Music Operators of America; recipient of
Vanier Award by Canadian Jaycees, 1977; named
Canadian male recording artist of the decade (1970s), 1980; named to Juno
Hall of Fame, 1986. In 1997 he received the
Governor General's award - the highest official Canadian honor.
Some of his songs: