Lightfoot, Gordon

  • From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: See full biography at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gordon_Lightfoot
  • Wiki profile notes:
    • Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. CC OOnt (November 17, 1938 – May 1, 2023) was a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved worldwide success and helped define the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s. Widely considered one of Canada’s greatest songwriters, he had numerous gold and platinum albums, and his songs have been covered by many of the world’s most renowned musical artists. Lightfoot’s biographer Nicholas Jennings wrote, “His name is synonymous with timeless songs about trains and shipwrecks, rivers and highways, lovers and loneliness.”
    • Lightfoot was born in Orillia, Ontario, on November 17, 1938, to Jessie Vick Trill Lightfoot and Gordon Lightfoot Sr., who owned a local dry cleaning business. He was of Scottish descent. He had an older sister, Beverley (1935–2017). His mother recognized Lightfoot’s musical talent early on and schooled him to become a successful child performer.
    • As an individual, apart from various awards associated with his albums and singles, Gordon Lightfoot received sixteen Juno Awards—for top folk singer in 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977, for top male vocalist in 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972, and 1973, and as composer of the year in 1972 and 1976. He received ASCAP awards for songwriting in 1971, 1974, 1976, and 1977, and was nominated for five Grammy Awards. In 1974 Lightfoot’s song “Sundown” was named pop record of the year by the Music Operators of America. In 1980 he was named Canadian male recording artist of the decade, for his work during the 1970s.
  • Fifth Great Grandson of United Empire Loyalist listed in Loyalist Directory: https://uelac.ca/loyalist-directory/detail/?wpda_search_column_id=7316
  • Find a GRAVE: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/253110819/gordon-lightfoot