Canadian artist – known for his hits ‘If you could read my mind’ And ‘The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’ – died in a Toronto hospital on Monday evening (05/01/23).
His death came after failing health forced him to stop touring three weeks earlier. No details of the cause of death were provided by Victoria Lord’s publicist. However, the guitarist suffered from Bell’s palsy and fell into a coma in 2002 after a stomach artery ruptured.
As reported MusicNewshe was adored by music legends including Bob Dylan, Lightfoot songs covered by Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Cash and even punk rocker Jane’s Addiction.
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Bryan Adams paid tribute to the man who pioneered the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s. He captioned Instagram alongside a photo with his idol.
“This one is really hard to write. Once upon a blue moon you started working and spending time with one of the people you looked up to when you were growing up. I’m lucky to say that Gordon was a friend of mine and I’m sad to know he’s gone. The world is a lesser place without him.”
“I know I speak for all Canadians when I say, thank you for the songs Gordon Lightfoot. Bless your sweet heart as a songwriter, RIP.”
Dylan once said, “I can’t think of a Gordon Lightfoot song that I didn’t like. Every time I hear the song it’s like I wish it lasted forever. Lightfoot was a mentor for a long time. I think he probably still is today.”
After moving to Hollywood to study music, Lightfoot decided it wasn’t for him. After returning to his hometown, he played a few local shows before having his first hit in Canada with ‘I do not say‘.
During his career, he has won five Grammys and 17 Junos. He was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
In 1986, he made headlines when he sued producer and songwriter Whitney Houston for lifting 24 bars of ‘If you could read my mind’ for the 1985 cover of George Benson’s’The greatest love of all‘. However, he withdrew the lawsuit because he didn’t want it to impact his health.
He then said alabama.com,“I’m letting go because I understand this affects Whitney Houston, who will be performing at the Grammy Awards, and the lawsuit has nothing to do with her.”
Lightfoot has been married three times. He has been married to his third wife, Kim Hasse, since December 19, 2014. Lightfoot has six children.
“Amateur problem solver. Hipster-friendly alcohol lover. Beer buff. Infuriatingly humble tv geek.”
