Name That Book

[RM]

My gut feeling is that it will never come to pass, considering Lightfoot's penchant for privacy, and his desire to work today rather than reflect on yesteryear. But, let's just say......

Lightfoot decides to write an autobiography. What do you think would be an appropriate title ? It certainly doesn't have to be one of his song titles, or variations of such. That said, I'd go with It's Worth Believin'

[Station Master]

I'd think he'd probably favour going with something plain and simple and humble like "Ordinary Man"

but he couldn't go too wrong re-using A Painter Passing Through, eh?

(and yeah, i think he should actually throw the "eh" in there, lol)

[jj]

I'd think he'd probably favour going with something plain and simple and humble like "Ordinary Man"

but he couldn't go too wrong re-using A Painter Passing Through, eh?

(and yeah, i think he should actually throw the "eh" in there, lol)

[riytkale]

How about "In My Fashion"

[Tim]

How about "In My Fashion"

[Auburn Annie]

So many choices, but I'd take his motto, found in the Songbook liner notes: "ever onward" - describes his attitude towards his work and life, no?

[Auburn Annie]

So many choices, but I'd take his motto, found in the Songbook liner notes: "ever onward" - describes his attitude towards his work and life, no?

[johnfowles]

He always impresses me in concert with his regular
"Well All Right"s
and "Are You Ready"s?the latter especialy in the Soundstage 1979 video
But as a sometime Newspaper report once put it perhaps
"If You Could Read His Mind" would be suitable?

[johnfowles]

He always impresses me in concert with his regular
"Well All Right"s
and "Are You Ready"s?the latter especialy in the Soundstage 1979 video
But as a sometime Newspaper report once put it perhaps
"If You Could Read His Mind" would be suitable?

[RM]

Originally posted by Auburn Annie:
So many choices, but I'd take his motto, found in the Songbook liner notes: "ever onward" - describes his attitude towards his work and life, no? Oooooooooh....that's very, very good. It has the potential to be a 'thread killer'.

[charlene]

"One Grateful Guy from Orillia"

While a book publisher/agent etc. might like the "If You Could Read His Mind" title, I for one find it unimaginative and too obvious and over-used when it comes to Lightfoot and cringe when I see it in the newspaper as a header for an article about him..

[charlene]

"One Grateful Guy from Orillia"

While a book publisher/agent etc. might like the "If You Could Read His Mind" title, I for one find it unimaginative and too obvious and over-used when it comes to Lightfoot and cringe when I see it in the newspaper as a header for an article about him..

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by charlene:
"One Grateful Guy from Orillia"

While a book publisher/agent etc. might like the "If You Could Read His Mind" title, I for one find it unimaginative and too obvious and over-used when it comes to Lightfoot and cringe when I see it in the newspaper as a header for an article about him.. Yes agreed about IYCRHM but surely you meant to quote:-
"One Grateful Guy from Orillia,Ontario,Canada"!!

Or just possibly and I simply hate the idea behind this snippet of the lyrics of
My Little Love:-
"I'm a poet and I'm better off dead."
In that mould much betterand more positive would of course be Salute's
"You got a lot more livin' to do
And a lot more lovin' too"

[ July 13, 2007, 10:35: Message edited by: johnfowles ]

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by charlene:
"One Grateful Guy from Orillia"

While a book publisher/agent etc. might like the "If You Could Read His Mind" title, I for one find it unimaginative and too obvious and over-used when it comes to Lightfoot and cringe when I see it in the newspaper as a header for an article about him.. Yes agreed about IYCRHM but surely you meant to quote:-
"One Grateful Guy from Orillia,Ontario,Canada"!!

Or just possibly and I simply hate the idea behind this snippet of the lyrics of
My Little Love:-
"I'm a poet and I'm better off dead."
In that mould much betterand more positive would of course be Salute's
"You got a lot more livin' to do
And a lot more lovin' too"

[ July 13, 2007, 10:35: Message edited by: johnfowles ]

[charlene]

lol
maybe he could add his postal code too???
lol

[charlene]

lol
maybe he could add his postal code too???
lol

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by charlene:
lol
maybe he could add his postal code too???
lol Very Droll but what a great idea

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by charlene:
lol
maybe he could add his postal code too???
lol Very Droll but what a great idea

[Paul Farnham]

I bet his regular concert attendees would like "uh ONE two three four..."

[Auburn Annie]

LOL - but I have to say that sounds enough like Lawrence Welk to confuse the unfamiliar.

[Auburn Annie]

LOL - but I have to say that sounds enough like Lawrence Welk to confuse the unfamiliar.

[RJ]

For autobiography (if the guy asked me) I might say something like ALL I'M AFTER, geez, now that I think about it, it'd be hard to not sound pretentious titling your own autobiography wouldn't it!..
I like IT'S WORTH BELIEVIN..
I suppose A PAINTER PASSING THROUGH might make the most sense since, in a way, that's what the song basically is isn't it.. his own story the way he cares to relay it..

Titling A biography might be a different animal though..
I probably would choose RIVER OF LIGHT myself..
Maybe ENDLESS WIRE..
A PAINTER PASSING THROUGH..

I hope someone sits down and is able to get an authorized gig writing the book while all the players involved are still here to tell the story..

It would take a few years to do..

Maybe Barry Harvey or Rick is listening in here..

cuz hey fellas..
if not now, then when..
etc..

[ July 13, 2007, 14:28: Message edited by: RJ ]

[Auburn Annie]

I'll volunteer :D

[Auburn Annie]

I'll volunteer :D

[RJ]

I've actually thought about it too..
I think I could write it alright..
the hard part for me would be sitting down across from most of these guys and thinkin, "That's Gordon Lightfoot and Rick Haynes sittin there talkin to me!"..
I'd prob'ly crumble under the pressure and ferget to turn the tape recorder on (which I would only then discover when I got back to my hotel room in downtown Toronto after the guys just told me the most amazing stuff for 4 1/2 hours)..
etc..
;-(

Maybe a little team of Corfiders could volunteer etc..

[ July 13, 2007, 15:04: Message edited by: RJ ]

[RJ]

Actually I chatted with Rick one Sunday morning in the breakfast room of the (can't remember now) Blookity-Blook-something hotel in Aurora after a Saturday night gig there a few years ago, and he was the warmest most lovely guy you'd ever meet..
I tried to get all uptight and nervous and everything, and he wouldn't let me..
He was just too cool..

[RM]

I have an idea....

Since RJ and CHar both write so well, maybe they could work together on it. Lightfoot said in his interview with CHar that he collected a lot of stuff that he doesn't know what to do with. You guys could help him get it organized, and in the process would come the stories behind them.

Whaddaya think ?

[ July 13, 2007, 21:38: Message edited by: charlene ]

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by RM:
I have an idea....

Since RJ and CHar both write so well, maybe they could work together on it. Lightfoot said in his interview with CHar that he collected a lot of stuff that he doesn't know what to do with. You guys could help him get it organized, and in the process would come the stories behind them.

Whaddaya think ? I'll tell you what I think. there may well be a queue for this task and I suspect the person claiming the pole position is a young Lady near London who I sometimes get to chat with on AOL Instant Messnger, when she is not in some last minute panic or getting a phone call that is. she is frequently on line either as BrunaZanelli or silverheels7. for both screennames I have to say that she has selected extremely disturbing and overly noisy entry sounds that literally scare the wotzit out of me and I wish she would adopt something a lot less climatic!!!
A Public Health announcement and warning from
John Bt

[johnfowles]

Originally posted by RM:
I have an idea....

Since RJ and CHar both write so well, maybe they could work together on it. Lightfoot said in his interview with CHar that he collected a lot of stuff that he doesn't know what to do with. You guys could help him get it organized, and in the process would come the stories behind them.

Whaddaya think ? I'll tell you what I think. there may well be a queue for this task and I suspect the person claiming the pole position is a young Lady near London who I sometimes get to chat with on AOL Instant Messnger, when she is not in some last minute panic or getting a phone call that is. she is frequently on line either as BrunaZanelli or silverheels7. for both screennames I have to say that she has selected extremely disturbing and overly noisy entry sounds that literally scare the wotzit out of me and I wish she would adopt something a lot less climatic!!!
A Public Health announcement and warning from
John Bt

[SilverHeels]

Sir John, sometimes you can be such an ol' f***, but I do love ya. :D
I shall have to change my entry sounds. We do not want your wotzit being scared to death, right? Susan would never forgive me. ;)

[joveski]

"I'd rather press on"

[charlene]

Entry Sounds ?
oh my...
the mind reels...

[charlene]

Entry Sounds ?
oh my...
the mind reels...

[RM]

Originally posted by RM:
Hmm...this has shown up here for some reason....I must have starting typing a reply and hit edit reply..
sorry!!
Sorry RM !! Does anyone still have the original post from RM that was here??
I can take a hint. My original post is in John Fowles response. Am I the first non-bot to be censored, and have their identity stolen ?

[charlene]

Ron/non-bot - you have been returned to your former glory..
;)

I have been seriously sleep deprived this week and had just had a small, unscheduled nap..got up and checked in here..and that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
lol

here's my reply in the proper post.

Whaddaya think ?
hmmm...
I think it would have to be someone he picks because he's comfortable with that person and trusts them.
Someone he may already know that has interviewed him before and he liked what he read.
There are a couple of Toronto journalists who have done some fabulous pieces on him here in the Toronto papers.
And of course whoever was chosen would have to agree that he would have last say on everything..
lol

If he wanted to do it on the phone I'd be happy to accept the long distance charges from Toronto to Whitby..
and for a face-to-face event his office/house is only 45 minutes away.
Heck - he could even come out here - just for a change of pace!

The rest of the band are all very personable and approachable from my experience and altho I'm sure they are full of amazing stories they may not want to give up any details...and perhaps The Man wouldn't want any one else's recollections in his book..
Char

[charlene]

Ron/non-bot - you have been returned to your former glory..
;)

I have been seriously sleep deprived this week and had just had a small, unscheduled nap..got up and checked in here..and that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
lol

here's my reply in the proper post.

Whaddaya think ?
hmmm...
I think it would have to be someone he picks because he's comfortable with that person and trusts them.
Someone he may already know that has interviewed him before and he liked what he read.
There are a couple of Toronto journalists who have done some fabulous pieces on him here in the Toronto papers.
And of course whoever was chosen would have to agree that he would have last say on everything..
lol

If he wanted to do it on the phone I'd be happy to accept the long distance charges from Toronto to Whitby..
and for a face-to-face event his office/house is only 45 minutes away.
Heck - he could even come out here - just for a change of pace!

The rest of the band are all very personable and approachable from my experience and altho I'm sure they are full of amazing stories they may not want to give up any details...and perhaps The Man wouldn't want any one else's recollections in his book..
Char

[RM]

Thank you, and I'll buy your alibi. But only with a coupon.

Well....he obviously feels comfortable with you. It would be an enormous undertaking, but an eager audience would be waiting.

I understand the "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" mindset. I wasn't thinking of the nitty-gritty, but of a more expansive view with the musical landscape of the times serving as the backdrop, and with some inside anecdotes tossed about.

[riytkale]

Originally posted by Paul Farnham:
I bet his regular concert attendees would like "uh ONE two three four..." Or, as has been the designated prelude for "The Wreck" it is a rapid and whispered: "WHUN, two, three, four, five, six ...."

[Tim]

Originally posted by Paul Farnham:
I bet his regular concert attendees would like "uh ONE two three four..." Or, as has been the designated prelude for "The Wreck" it is a rapid and whispered: "WHUN, two, three, four, five, six ...."

[BILLW]

For the title I'd be partial to something like LET IT RIDE or CANARY YELLOW CANOE but whatever made the final cut it would have to have a big subtitle of something like THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GORDON LIGHTFOOT.

Because to sell books you have to attract the readers and even people who like his hits and might even read his book often cannot tie the song to the singer. If I had a nickel for each person who said "yeah I like that song - WHO did you say sung it ?" or variations of that theme I'd be rich.

So you might really have to go with IYCRMM or whatever is his most currently identified song. We know we'd all buy a few copies but it's gotta sell more than that.

Great topic - thanks.

Bill :)

[Shutup and Deal, I'm Losin']

Restless, I'd Rather Press On, A Painter Passing Thru, or If You Could Read My Mind.

[Shutup and Deal, I'm Losin']

I think the little pamplet in songbook is already named "If You Could Read My Mind", so maybe that one will be taken...

[formerlylavender]

Hi Billw. I agree about the title having to be something that the typical consumer would associate with Gordon Lightfoot. I like "If You Could Read His Mind" stated earlier by John Fowles.

[RM]

Actually, according to Wayne Francis' website, "If You Could Read His Mind" has been used before, a biography of Lightfoot by a Maynard Collins. Again, this topic sought to deal with the title for an "AUTObiography". I don't think Lightfoot talks in the third person.

[charlene]

IF all it said on the cover was GORDON LIGHTFOOT by Gordon Lightfoot it would generate interest and sales..
;)

from the phone call:

CHAR: I asked you this one time before, and I know you talked about it at Massey either this last concert series or in 2005, about writing a book about the life of Gordon Lightfoot.

G.L.: Oh yeah…well I’ve decided against doing that. I had to make a decision on that last year and I decided not to do it.

CHAR: No?

G.L.: No.

CHAR: Wow, that’s going to be a disappointment to a lot of people.

G.L.: That’s all right.

CHAR: We will just live your life through your music I guess.

G.L.: My old manager Albert Grossman used to say “it won’t make the coffee taste any different in the morning.” (laughing) Whether there’s a book or not…...it doesn’t matter.

CHAR: No it doesn’t matter….that’s very true. It’s just that in this day and age where you’ve got kids that are writing their life story because they’ve made a movie or had a hit song…and THEY have a life story? They’re only 19! (laughing) It would be nice though. It wouldn’t have to have all the nitty gritty but just as a one focus sort of idea.

G.L.: Ya know…. it would be a nice thing to do….maybe later when I’m doing a memoir or something after I’ve stopped touring. You know really the touring takes up a lot of the time. I don’t know, it really does. We have to stay prepared all the time. We rehearse regularly between times. I don’t have the whole band here….but I sometimes have Michael here, maybe Terry or Rick and Terry.

[charlene]

IF all it said on the cover was GORDON LIGHTFOOT by Gordon Lightfoot it would generate interest and sales..
;)

from the phone call:

CHAR: I asked you this one time before, and I know you talked about it at Massey either this last concert series or in 2005, about writing a book about the life of Gordon Lightfoot.

G.L.: Oh yeah…well I’ve decided against doing that. I had to make a decision on that last year and I decided not to do it.

CHAR: No?

G.L.: No.

CHAR: Wow, that’s going to be a disappointment to a lot of people.

G.L.: That’s all right.

CHAR: We will just live your life through your music I guess.

G.L.: My old manager Albert Grossman used to say “it won’t make the coffee taste any different in the morning.” (laughing) Whether there’s a book or not…...it doesn’t matter.

CHAR: No it doesn’t matter….that’s very true. It’s just that in this day and age where you’ve got kids that are writing their life story because they’ve made a movie or had a hit song…and THEY have a life story? They’re only 19! (laughing) It would be nice though. It wouldn’t have to have all the nitty gritty but just as a one focus sort of idea.

G.L.: Ya know…. it would be a nice thing to do….maybe later when I’m doing a memoir or something after I’ve stopped touring. You know really the touring takes up a lot of the time. I don’t know, it really does. We have to stay prepared all the time. We rehearse regularly between times. I don’t have the whole band here….but I sometimes have Michael here, maybe Terry or Rick and Terry.

[betterway86]

The Legend Lives On...

[podunklander]

The Legend Lives On...

[charlene]

Paul Shaffer (Letterman bandleader and former bandleader on Saturday Night Live) is writing a book. Perhaps he'll have a story about Lightfoot's visit to the show..

Shaffer's Showbiz Memoir
The multi-talented Paul Shaffer is about to add another credit to his already impressive resume: author.
Flying Dolphin Press announced that they have signed Shaffer to pen a memoir of his life in show business.
The book will detail Shaffer's experiences on "Saturday Night Live" through his twenty-five-plus year association with David Letterman on both "Late Night with David Letterman" and "The Late Show with David Letterman," and more.
"These anecdotes have been accumulating in my mind for the past three-plus decades; it's been a nutty ride, and I felt it imperative to finally commit my reflections to the page... at least Volume One," said Shaffer.
"Paul Shaffer is an enormously accomplished musician and a versatile entertainer who has won the affection of millions of loyal fans for his unique blend of talents and signature sense of humor," said Flying Dolphin Publisher Suzanne Herz. "Readers will delight in his wit and in the unique perspective on the world of show business that he will bring to his book."
All we can say is, "Yeah, yeah, YEAH!"

[charlene]

Paul Shaffer (Letterman bandleader and former bandleader on Saturday Night Live) is writing a book. Perhaps he'll have a story about Lightfoot's visit to the show..

Shaffer's Showbiz Memoir
The multi-talented Paul Shaffer is about to add another credit to his already impressive resume: author.
Flying Dolphin Press announced that they have signed Shaffer to pen a memoir of his life in show business.
The book will detail Shaffer's experiences on "Saturday Night Live" through his twenty-five-plus year association with David Letterman on both "Late Night with David Letterman" and "The Late Show with David Letterman," and more.
"These anecdotes have been accumulating in my mind for the past three-plus decades; it's been a nutty ride, and I felt it imperative to finally commit my reflections to the page... at least Volume One," said Shaffer.
"Paul Shaffer is an enormously accomplished musician and a versatile entertainer who has won the affection of millions of loyal fans for his unique blend of talents and signature sense of humor," said Flying Dolphin Publisher Suzanne Herz. "Readers will delight in his wit and in the unique perspective on the world of show business that he will bring to his book."
All we can say is, "Yeah, yeah, YEAH!"

[Larry]

Respose to the following statement:

=======================================
G.L.: My old manager Albert Grossman used to say “it won’t make the coffee taste any different in the morning.” (laughing) Whether there’s a book or not…...it doesn’t matter.
=======================================

Sorry G.L..... I don't agree... It DOES matter!

There are too few heros nowadays.... and the world still needs heros.

We need to keep the ones we still have, and we need to hear their stories. (The ones that don't turn out to have feet of clay.)

100+ years from now, it will still matter.
Tell the story and keep it straight. Or someone else will tell it crooked.

My recommendation for a title: "Modest Hero".
Subtitle: "Gordon Lightfoot - Man and Bard"

[Bard'sFan]

Respose to the following statement:

=======================================
G.L.: My old manager Albert Grossman used to say “it won’t make the coffee taste any different in the morning.” (laughing) Whether there’s a book or not…...it doesn’t matter.
=======================================

Sorry G.L..... I don't agree... It DOES matter!

There are too few heros nowadays.... and the world still needs heros.

We need to keep the ones we still have, and we need to hear their stories. (The ones that don't turn out to have feet of clay.)

100+ years from now, it will still matter.
Tell the story and keep it straight. Or someone else will tell it crooked.

My recommendation for a title: "Modest Hero".
Subtitle: "Gordon Lightfoot - Man and Bard"

[Auburn Annie]

If we're sticking to song titles, how about "Ordinary Man" subtitled the extraordinary life and times of Gordon Lightfoot.

[Auburn Annie]

If we're sticking to song titles, how about "Ordinary Man" subtitled the extraordinary life and times of Gordon Lightfoot.

[Station Master]

agreed, char - IYCRMM or 'Legend Lives On' have been overused as article headlines over the years but they still could be fresh to many...love In My Fashion but wasn't that used by Don Cheery? lol

Originally posted by jj:
I'd think he'd probably favour going with something plain and simple and humble like "Ordinary Man"
stick with my first reponse, a lyric even fits

"And when the show is over...another tale to tell"

[jj]

agreed, char - IYCRMM or 'Legend Lives On' have been overused as article headlines over the years but they still could be fresh to many...love In My Fashion but wasn't that used by Don Cheery? lol

Originally posted by jj:
I'd think he'd probably favour going with something plain and simple and humble like "Ordinary Man"
stick with my first reponse, a lyric even fits

"And when the show is over...another tale to tell"

[Gitchigumee]

While I would definitely purchase an autobiography, it would also be interesting if Lightfoot wrote a book on songwriting the way Jimmy Webb did:

http://www.amazon.com/Tunesmith-Inside-Songwriting-Jimmy-Webb/dp/0786884886/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6967401-0752062?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184786865&sr=8-1

[imported_Next_Saturday]

While I would definitely purchase an autobiography, it would also be interesting if Lightfoot wrote a book on songwriting the way Jimmy Webb did:

http://www.amazon.com/Tunesmith-Inside-Songwriting-Jimmy-Webb/dp/0786884886/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-6967401-0752062?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1184786865&sr=8-1

[Station Master]

cool idea, a songwriting journal would be wonderful - when he speaks of the process or inspirations, those are always my fave interview segments

autobiog or otherwise, the question is also what era pic would be used for the book cover? (there's so many faces of Gordon)

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3006/gljournalmm2.jpg

[jj]

cool idea, a songwriting journal would be wonderful - when he speaks of the process or inspirations, those are always my fave interview segments

autobiog or otherwise, the question is also what era pic would be used for the book cover? (there's so many faces of Gordon)

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3006/gljournalmm2.jpg

[SilverHeels]

JJ, you chose a favourite look and one of my fave Gord songs. He was one sexy so-and-so back then, wasnt he? ;)

[fowlesjohn]

this is an interesting topic...
CHar and Florian have the rights to interesting topics found here.
Gord is a man in the Bard sense... it seems Shakespeare had his "unknown qualities", too?
What era would pervade his memoir's? I would hope his current mindset. He seems happiest and/or content in his current state... not driven by demons or other topics.

[gwen snyder]

this is an interesting topic...
CHar and Florian have the rights to interesting topics found here.
Gord is a man in the Bard sense... it seems Shakespeare had his "unknown qualities", too?
What era would pervade his memoir's? I would hope his current mindset. He seems happiest and/or content in his current state... not driven by demons or other topics.

[betterway86]

Originally posted by gwen snyder:
this is an interesting topic...
CHar and Florian have the rights to interesting topics found here.
Gord is a man in the Bard sense... it seems Shakespeare had his "unknown qualities", too?
What era would pervade his memoir's? I would hope his current mindset. He seems happiest and/or content in his current state... not driven by demons or other topics. I would think it to be an arduous task for him to write/publish a 'complete' autobiography....I'm thinking more than one volume for sure. So when you mention his current mindset, had me wondering how nice it would be to read about the more current past - perhaps 2 decades.

Personally, I am not a big fan of autobiographies or biographies for that matter. I prefer the latter, if the author has a keen interpretation of the facts. And lots of photos of course.

I'm still trying to get through Samuel Fuller's...and he had been documenting events, writing articles/books for many, many years. His early years are great to read about, but are withstanding the details of his later life...which are better documented, and easier to be able to verify, etc. So far a good read.

I appreciated reading a Roy Orbison biography, and obviously, the tragedies in his life are that which are difficult for anyone to write about. It was very emotional to read.

Not that I would question GL's ability to pen a full autobiography, certainly if it matches that of his genius in writing lyrics. But I feel that it would be too arduous a task for him to have to 'weed' out or otherwise lump all the details in order so that the reader could at least have a sense of what was going on at certain times.

And then what he may want to provide more greater detail about, may be that which the reader may not find so particularly interesting (though I doubt that would be the case). I would cling to every word of any subject he may write about! If he decided to write a cookbook, I would be on the Gordon Lightfoot diet for the rest of my life.

I'd be willing to bet that GL has many 'excerpts' of his memoirs that would be a great supplement to a biography. He may have unpublished/unfinished lyrics which are autobiographical. Certainly, many of his published works are.

Sometimes songwriting works like this. Portions of lyrics and music may be written over a period of time...not intending to be the same song but, when put together...voila, a complete work.

I'd also be willing to bet that he's been meticulous in his record keeping and has maintained a wonderful paper archive as well as general collections. Probably all cataloged and digitized...kept in a climate-controlled facility, etc. Didn't he tell Char that he has a lot of stuff...hmmmm. I wonder if he still has that very awesome white lace shirt... :D

These collections, when/if on public display will also serve to tell the story. As a researcher/historian and museum interpretive guide (and collections manager, etc), I love being able to do this! And still after 7 years of research, etc., in my subject area...I'm still not an expert!

hehe maybe it would be fun to start a thread to name a Gordon Lightfoot museum and archives.

Having been perusing this discussion board quite heavily for almost a week now (and here and there over the past few months), I feel like I've found out everything I've ever wanted to know about Gordon Lightfoot and much about what I didn't know I'd like to know and am glad to :D

This board is much more fun :) to read than a biography. And especially Char's interview with GL! I certainly agree with others who feel she would be well suited to write a GL book.

Wow I've read that interview at least 10 times so far! I know I wouldn't have been able to have come up with such great [objective] questions, let alone maintain my composure! Well, I know that for a fact since the one opportunity I had to talk with GL...the question I asked him didn't come out right at all! He was so good about it though!

I was totally unprepared for what followed (and even if I had been...no matter) when he asked me a couple of questions and that's when I totally lost my composure. For sure I wanted to respond adequately, and if not that this thought kept running through my head, "OMG, Gordon Lightfoot is asking me a question!"

Well I have celebrityphobia and it's too bad but at least I've had some oppotunity. Char on the otherhand, the GL interview was particularly nice because the [very excellent] questions and conversation just flowed so nicely.

Just like Gwen's mention of Gord and Shakespeare in the same sentence...just flows together rather nicely!

Pam

[podunklander]

Originally posted by gwen snyder:
this is an interesting topic...
CHar and Florian have the rights to interesting topics found here.
Gord is a man in the Bard sense... it seems Shakespeare had his "unknown qualities", too?
What era would pervade his memoir's? I would hope his current mindset. He seems happiest and/or content in his current state... not driven by demons or other topics. I would think it to be an arduous task for him to write/publish a 'complete' autobiography....I'm thinking more than one volume for sure. So when you mention his current mindset, had me wondering how nice it would be to read about the more current past - perhaps 2 decades.

Personally, I am not a big fan of autobiographies or biographies for that matter. I prefer the latter, if the author has a keen interpretation of the facts. And lots of photos of course.

I'm still trying to get through Samuel Fuller's...and he had been documenting events, writing articles/books for many, many years. His early years are great to read about, but are withstanding the details of his later life...which are better documented, and easier to be able to verify, etc. So far a good read.

I appreciated reading a Roy Orbison biography, and obviously, the tragedies in his life are that which are difficult for anyone to write about. It was very emotional to read.

Not that I would question GL's ability to pen a full autobiography, certainly if it matches that of his genius in writing lyrics. But I feel that it would be too arduous a task for him to have to 'weed' out or otherwise lump all the details in order so that the reader could at least have a sense of what was going on at certain times.

And then what he may want to provide more greater detail about, may be that which the reader may not find so particularly interesting (though I doubt that would be the case). I would cling to every word of any subject he may write about! If he decided to write a cookbook, I would be on the Gordon Lightfoot diet for the rest of my life.

I'd be willing to bet that GL has many 'excerpts' of his memoirs that would be a great supplement to a biography. He may have unpublished/unfinished lyrics which are autobiographical. Certainly, many of his published works are.

Sometimes songwriting works like this. Portions of lyrics and music may be written over a period of time...not intending to be the same song but, when put together...voila, a complete work.

I'd also be willing to bet that he's been meticulous in his record keeping and has maintained a wonderful paper archive as well as general collections. Probably all cataloged and digitized...kept in a climate-controlled facility, etc. Didn't he tell Char that he has a lot of stuff...hmmmm. I wonder if he still has that very awesome white lace shirt... :D

These collections, when/if on public display will also serve to tell the story. As a researcher/historian and museum interpretive guide (and collections manager, etc), I love being able to do this! And still after 7 years of research, etc., in my subject area...I'm still not an expert!

hehe maybe it would be fun to start a thread to name a Gordon Lightfoot museum and archives.

Having been perusing this discussion board quite heavily for almost a week now (and here and there over the past few months), I feel like I've found out everything I've ever wanted to know about Gordon Lightfoot and much about what I didn't know I'd like to know and am glad to :D

This board is much more fun :) to read than a biography. And especially Char's interview with GL! I certainly agree with others who feel she would be well suited to write a GL book.

Wow I've read that interview at least 10 times so far! I know I wouldn't have been able to have come up with such great [objective] questions, let alone maintain my composure! Well, I know that for a fact since the one opportunity I had to talk with GL...the question I asked him didn't come out right at all! He was so good about it though!

I was totally unprepared for what followed (and even if I had been...no matter) when he asked me a couple of questions and that's when I totally lost my composure. For sure I wanted to respond adequately, and if not that this thought kept running through my head, "OMG, Gordon Lightfoot is asking me a question!"

Well I have celebrityphobia and it's too bad but at least I've had some oppotunity. Char on the otherhand, the GL interview was particularly nice because the [very excellent] questions and conversation just flowed so nicely.

Just like Gwen's mention of Gord and Shakespeare in the same sentence...just flows together rather nicely!

Pam