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Tributes are pouring in for legendary Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, who died on Monday at the age of 84.
“We have lost one of our greatest singer-songwriters,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter, addng:
“Gordon Lightfoot captured our country’s spirit in his music – and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape. May his music continue to inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on forever.”
Lightfoot’s music was beloved by fans, and his skills as both a songwriter and a vocalist were admired throughout the industry.
“I can’t think of any Gordon Lightfoot song I don’t like,” Bob Dylan once said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “Every time I hear a song of his, it’s like I wish it would last forever.”
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Belinda Carlisle paid tribute to Lightfoot on Twitter by naming one of her favorite songs:
The 1970 track was one of Lightfoot’s four Billboard Top Ten hits:
Author Stephen King quoted 1974′s “Sundown” in his own tribute to Lightfoot:
Gordon Lightfoot has died. He was a great songwriter and a wonderful performer. Sundown, you better take care/If I catch you creepin' 'round my back stairs."
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) May 2, 2023The track was Lightfoot’s biggest Billboard success, hitting number one and spending four months on the charts:
He’s also remembered for his 1976 hit “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” about a tragedy in Lake Superior the previous year in which the freighter sank during a storm, killing all 29 aboard:
Celebrities, critics and other fans all weighed in on Twitter:
Gordon Lightfoot left us today..
When Bob Dylan reveres you & turns to you when he needs to,you know you’re dealing with brilliance. From Canada,Mr. Lightfoot became the Mark Twain of folk music.Trains,rivers, loneliness,romance.His songs were covered by just about everybody RIP. pic.twitter.com/ybA6RrdKR9
RIP to the great songwriter Gordon Lightfoot.
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) May 2, 2023Gordon Lightfoot played a surprise set before us up in Ontario, in the summer of 2017. We were all freaking out when this sign was posted across from our trailer and the entire band went out to catch his set in the front row. A special day.
RIP, legend. pic.twitter.com/1mrjSUew88
“Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours?”
Peaceful rest, Gordon Lightfoot. https://t.co/rfXoQ7htxx
Gordon Lightfoot's Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald was the first single I ever bought. God, that song was on all the time for a while on the bus to & from school. Wrote out the lyrics because I thought it was so haunting and beautiful. Still do. RIP. https://t.co/G2G36eRzG0
— Nick Gillespie (@nickgillespie) May 2, 2023Someone who made Canada better than it was. Would see him when he lived near me in my teens, and in concert. His railway trilogy song meant a lot to me, I could see the "seven islands" from my home, and love to be in the lee of Christian Island:https://t.co/i5ae9pWFW8
— Mark Bourrie (@MarkBourrie) May 2, 2023Sad news about a really good songwriter with a unique sound.
“Her name was Ann, and I’ll be damned if I recalled her face. She left me not knowing what to do” https://t.co/NDfppQk7yA
RIP Gordon Lightfoot. The absolute master of the three-minute masculine-voiced sensitive dude folk-pop song. Bangers for days. There is not a fire pit in the Great North he has not soundtracked.
— Steven Hyden (@Steven_Hyden) May 2, 2023Impossibly propulsive strum. Miles wide voice. Most of all, a deeply sensitive songwriter who exposed the very heart of things. RIP Gordon Lightfoot, one of the greats. pic.twitter.com/b1hLScyxmv
— Jason P. Woodbury (@jasonpwoodbury) May 2, 2023Canadian music icon Gordon Lightfoot has died at the age of 84. He's one of the greatest singer-songwriters that ever existed as "If You Could Read My Mind," "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," "Sundown," and about 100 more are stone-cold classics, and he will be missed. pic.twitter.com/jx9WLTtE9B
— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) May 2, 2023Gordon Lightfoot has died at the age of 84.
Calling him a Canadian icon or legend is an understatement.
He was one of our greatest singer-songwriters.
Born in Orillia, Ontario on Nov. 17, 1938, he had several #1 albums & songs.
He won 16 Junos.
RIP to a legend. pic.twitter.com/2VBKMZvo0o
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