Key takeaways:
- Legendary Canadian folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot passed away at the age of 81.
- Lightfoot first gained recognition in the 1960s and wrote songs for Peter, Paul and Mary and Marty Robbins.
- Lightfoot’s most famous songs include “Carefree Highway,” “Sundown,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” and his influence was felt far and wide, with dozens of artists having covered his work.
Legendary Canadian folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot passed away on Monday at the age of 81. Lightfoot was a beloved figure in the music industry, having written hundreds of songs and released 20 studio albums throughout his career.
Lightfoot first gained recognition in the 1960s when he emerged from Toronto’s Yorkville folk club scene. He wrote songs for Peter, Paul and Mary and Marty Robbins, and his 1968 album, “Did She Mention My Name?” earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best Folk Performance.
Lightfoot’s most famous songs include “Carefree Highway,” “Sundown,” and “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which told a tale of Canadian identity that was exported worldwide. His easy going but melancholy “Sundown” was his only U.S. No. 1 hit, peaking in late June of 1974 and spending 18 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Lightfoot recorded five core albums for United Artists before continuing his career with Warner/Reprise from the 1970s through the 1990s. His 2012 release of “All Live” represented his only live album since those original United Artists releases.
Lightfoot’s influence was felt far and wide, with dozens of artists having covered his work, including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, Anne Murray, Jane’s Addiction and Sarah McLachlan. Bob Dylan once called him a “rare talent.” Lightfoot will be remembered for his timeless music and his contribution to Canadian identity.
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