Biography for
Gordon Lightfoot More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

Mini Biography

Gordon Lightfoot is perhaps the most accomplished and well-known singer/songwriter to ever come out of Canada. He is internationally known for such monumental folk/pop/rock hits as "Sundown", "If You Could Read My Mind", "Early Mornin' Rain", "Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald" and many more. His songs have been covered by such music giants as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Glen Campbell and Don Williams. Lightfoot began his music career fronting a variety of rock n roll bands around Toronto while still in his teens. In 1958, he relocated to Los Angeles where he found work writing jingles for TV commercials but returned to Toronto in 1962 where he rapidly became a fixture in the city's bugeoning folk music scene. He made his first records for a local Toronto label in 1963 but it wasn't until he signed a major record deal and released his first album in 1966 that he became widely known. In 1970, he scored his first top ten hit with "If You Could Read My Mind" beginning a decade of chart-topping albums and hit songs hightlighted by his #1 hit in 1974 with "Sundown". After nearly 20 years of success, Lightfoot when into self-imposed semi-retirement in the late 1980s but reemerged in 1993 with the highly acclaimed album "Waiting For You". His 1998 album "Painter Passing Through" also drew high praise from critics and fans alike.

Spouse

Trivia

Saturday, September 7th 2002 - rushed to McMaster University Health Centre in Hamilton, Ontario by air ambulance after experiencing stomach pains. He had emergency stomach surgery and is expected to make a complete recovery. Details of the surgery are pending.

Has frequently sung "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" at the annual Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service at Mariner's Church in Detroit.

He was awarded the O.C. (Officer of the Order of Canada) on June 26, 1970 and awarded the C.C. (Companion of the Order of Canada) on May 8, 2003 for his services to entertainment.

Six children: Two children, Fred (born Feb 1, 1964) and Ingrid (born Dec 31, 1965), from his first marriage with wife Brita Two children out of wedlock, including Eric (born Dec 30, 1981) with Cathy Coonley. Two children, Miles (born ca. 1991) and Meredith (born ca. 1996), with current wife Elizabeth. One older sister, Bev. Two grandchildren.

Pictured on one of four 52¢ Canadian commemorative postage stamps honoring Canadian Recording Artists, issued 29 June 2007. The other stamps pictured Paul Anka, Joni Mitchell, and Anne Murray.

Married twice and separated from his second wife, he has six children by four women.

The folk group Peter, Paul and Mary made a hit out of his song "For Lovin' Me". Other artists who did well from his material include Anne Murray, Judy Collins, Richie Havens, and Gordon's real-life idol Bob Dylan.

Took classes in music school in Los Angeles before returning to his native Canada and playing the guitar and sang in coffee houses while composing songs.

The younger of two children, he grew up in Orillia, Ontario, where, as a boy soprano he worked the wedding circuit ("O, Promise Me" and "The Lord's Prayer" were his specialties). He also performed in a church choir, a barbershop quartet and a dance band.

Has earned five Grammy nominations and 17 Juno Awards in his native Canada, and was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2002, suffered a near-fatal ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, similar to the condition that took the life of actor John Ritter. He withstood six weeks in a coma, four surgeries and two years of extensive rehab. His first extensive tour did not happen until 2005.

Personal Quotes

I was under contract for 33 years, and when you're like that you're always under the gun to produce. You tend to ignore certain things and to become isolated, and you don't spend enough time thinking about other things like the business end and the family and even the live performances. Now I can concentrate on my shows, which is great because that's what I like best anyway. -- GL, during 2007 interview

I'm a little nuts. I'm a lot nuts. All I know is that in the midst of the madness of this world it's my therapy. The music touches my heartstrings.

Where Are They Now

(October 2003) He is back at home after spending several months in hospital. According to an recent interview with the Globe & Mail newspaper, he has ready another album which will be titled "Twenty" and due for release sometime in 2004.

(August 2004) Performing at the Memorial Center in Peterborough Ontario, as part of the flood relief concert to help Peterborough recover from great losses.

(August 2004) He appeared on Canadian Idol on Aug 18th, 2004. His music was one of the weekly themes of the show, and six young finalists worked with him individually to prepare for singing his songs in competition.

(September 2002) Saturday, September 7th 2002 - rushed to McMaster University Health Centre in Hamilton, Ontario by air ambulance after experiencing stomach pains. He had emergency stomach surgery and is expected to make a complete recovery. Details of the surgery are pending.

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