Lightfoot on Letterman in October

[Jenney]

Gord and the band will tape David Letterman Oct 4th, to air Oct 8th!!
Pretty exciting news!

[charlene]

yes it is!!! ..I'm all a flutter about it!
get out the VCR/PVR/ etc.!

Letterman tapes two shows on Mondays. One for airing on Monday night and the other for Friday when he takes the day off..

taping mon.oct.4 and airing friday oct.8.

[Yuri]

Okay, this almost begs for us starting some of our own 'Top Ten' Lists.
....like, The top ten things fellow Canadian Paul Shaffer will say on meeting Gord....etc.
Hmmmm....

[charlene]

Paul and Gord must have met on SNL in 1976 when Shaffer was musical director.

It would be interesting to hear what they will say to each other in Ovtober.

Too bad Lightfoot didn't do Lettermans' show back in 1982. He could have plugged "Harry Tracy" and sung "My Love For You"..

I wonder what song he will do...

[Dan O'Malley]

can't believe this! fantastic!!! wonder what he'll choose to sing? great news, can't wait!

[brink-]

This is amazing!! Gord on a talk show again......shades of Mike Douglas! THANK YOU JENNEY!!!

[charlene]

Pretty sure he'll just sing..rarely does Letterman talk to the performers after they've sung. He walks over, shakes hands, says thanks and it's the end of the show. Would be nice for them to chat tho..

[KHester]

Every Christmas for the past few years, one of Dave's producers has came down to my fiance's mother's house for Christmas dinner. So we spend some together. I'm going to send him an e-mail. I'm pretty sure if I could make it out for the taping, I could get backstage.
Now if He could only send out airfare and cover the hotels that would be great.

Kevin

[Jesse Joe]

This is really great news to hear, 'Way To Go Gord'... tks Jenney ! :)

[Jesse Joe]

Paul and Gord must have met on SNL in 1976 when Shaffer was musical director.

It would be interesting to hear what they will say to each other in Ovtober.

Too bad Lightfoot didn't do Lettermans' show back in 1982. He could have plugged "Harry Tracy" and sung "My Love For You"..

I wonder what song he will do...



Paul & Gord also got to see each other on "Tears Are Not Enough" back in "85".

The song 'Cold Hands From New-York' or 'Hi'way Songs' from yesteryear. But he probably will do a well knowned hit of his... we will see ??

This is just terrific ! :)

[formerlylavender]

Thanks. Wow...looking forward to this!

[jj]

Pretty sure he'll just sing

come on, Dave could get some good mileage out of the premature death anecdote, lol

i could go for an entire 10 minute interview with GL, mainly cos I can't decide on a tune that would best flatter his current vocal but I'm sure the sound mix will be top notch

i suppose The Wreck would have universal appeal to a primarily American audience

with that said, wonder if they'll play Will it Float?

quite the scoop, jenney...let us know when there's a leak on the song choice!:)

[TC]

I bet he'll do something from a more recent album. If he does a song that's been on the radio a billion times we'll have to put up with whole voice issue comments. Not from us, from the non-believers.

Last time I watched Letterman...never! I will make an exception.

[podunklander]

This is so cool :)!!! Maybe there'll be some other US TV appearances....(thinking Coco by November :) ).

[Dan O'Malley]

I reckon he will sing IYCRMM! tho i would love to hear a new song!

[charlene]

I was thinkng IYCRMM too.. something recognizable to the U.S. audience watching.
No pressure on him to do I'll Tag Along cuz I won't be there expecting it..lolol

[RM]

I was wondering......how did this happen ? I don't watch Letterman very often. Is it common for him to have an older musical act on ? The musical guests, whether old or new, are usually promoting something new. Seems odd.

My money is on IYCRMM too.

[Jesse Joe]

Maybe 'Restless' ?

There's a plain and simple answer to each and every quest
From every quiet dancer who might be a special guest
In a movie made for TV or a late night interview
You might even find them on the "Young and the Restless" too

[Jesse Joe]

I have heard David Letterman mention Gordon Lightfoot a few times to Paul Schaffer whenever he would be talking about Canada. He always had positive things to say about 'Our Guy'.

Maybe Dave is a fan ? Gord like Dylan and many others dont do much television esp; Late Night talk shows. Gordon Lightfoot may be starting something new here ???

Conan also did mention Gordon Lightfoot a few times.

Have yet to hear Leno mention Lightfoot.

[Jesse Joe]

October

1
Buffalo, NY


2
Burlington, VT


3
Concord, NH


5
Wilkes-Barre, PA


6
Red Bank, NJ


7
Sewell, NJ


8
Troy, NY

[charlene]

off day on the monday the 4th to tape the show..

It's odd to me too..no new album to push like some of the 'older' acts still out there.

[Jesse Joe]

Maybe Lightfoot did agree to be interviewed before or after the song ?

[Dave, Melbourne,Australia]

We Aussies get Letterman on the Ten Network around 11pm Mon-Fri. The USA's Friday Oct8 show will probably be screened here on Monday Oct11, but occasionally the show that's due goes missing without explanation and we get a re-run of a show we saw weeks or months earlier. I've seen Letterman walk out and thank his music-only guests after their performance. He always seems insincere and disinterested unless they're an old household name like Willie Nelson (or Steve Martin playing banjo). I look forward to Lightfoot's appearance and choice of song. It would be great if he was interviewed as well, but I wouldn't bet my house on it.

[Dan O'Malley]

Don't think any channels here show letterman anymore. Counting on youtube for this one!!

[charlene]

http://arts.nationalpost.com/2010/07/26/gordon-lightfoot-not-dead-performing-on-letterman/
Not-dead Canadian folk music legend Gordon Lightfoot has been invited to perform on the Late Show with David Letterman, the Ampersand has learned.

Mr. Lightfoot, whose heart continues to pump oxygen and nutrients to the rest of his body, will perform a yet-to-be-decided song at an October 4 taping, which will then air Friday, October 8. Mr. Letterman is not expected to interview the 71-year-old-singer, who still thinks, and therefore is.

A spokesperson for Mr. Lightfoot’s production company, who more than once referred to him in the present tense, said it will be his first appearance on the show.

The stop comes during Mr. Lightfoot’s tour of the United States.

Read more: http://arts.nationalpost.com/2010/07/26/gordon-lightfoot-not-dead-performing-on-letterman/#ixzz0uosJdtbF

[imported_Next_Saturday]

If last night's Jimmy Webb is an indication, it will be in the last two minutes of the show, one song and no interview. Webb did "Witchita Lineman" and Dave plugged his new album. It will be interesting whether he plugs "Harmony", "Complete Greatest Hits", "Songbook" or just his tour. I would think the only two choices for this type of appearance is either "If You Could Read My Mind" or perhaps "Wreck of The Edmond Fitzgerald", but only if there is only time for the latter.

I am guessing that Paul Schaffer will use Lightfoot songs throughout the evening as bumpers to the commercials.

[Jesse Joe]

I am guessing that Paul Schaffer will use Lightfoot songs throughout the evening as bumpers to the commercials.

That may very well be; Next_Saturday.

[Same Old Loverman]

Wouldn't it be cool if he did something totally unexpected like: "Pony Man" or "Something Very Special?"

[Jesse Joe]

Yes indeed... I hear you Same Old Loverman, it would be something very special ! :)

[formerlylavender]

Maybe 'Restless' ?

There's a plain and simple answer to each and every quest
From every quiet dancer who might be a special guest
In a movie made for TV or a late night interview
You might even find them on the "Young and the Restless" too


I was thinking the same thing, Jesse Joe.

[Jesse Joe]

Ah ! that's makes two of us, we will see ! ;)

Lightfoot on Letterman how cool is this Orillia's proud son ! :cool:

[MaryO]

Zowie! This is the BEST news! Thanks! MaryO

[timetraveler]

YEHAAA!!! Now I have a damn good excuse to stay up late!:):):)

[podunklander]

I was wondering......how did this happen ? I don't watch Letterman very often. Is it common for him to have an older musical act on ? The musical guests, whether old or new, are usually promoting something new. Seems odd.

My money is on IYCRMM too.

Don't forget that the re-issues are being promoted.

[TC]

That is one of my favorite GL photos. VERY COOL!

[Same Old Loverman]

That's one of my favorite photos too (and album cover). You'll also notice that he's got "The jacket" on as well! I met Gordon backstage one time and asked him to autograh my copy of "Don Quixote." I asked him about the photo and where it was taken. He said it was at a park (I've since forgotten the name- plus I was very nervous). We then started talking about the jacket and he said Jerry Jeff Walker gave it to him. He asked if I was familiar with Jerry Jeff and I (sheepishly) replied that I only knew of him from hearing Gordon talk about him in interviews (I had heard they had some wild times together back in the 70's and I knew that he wrote Mr Bojangles). Ever since that conversation I've been meaning to check out some Jerry Jeff Walker...after all; if Gordon likes him, he must be alright.

[Borderstone]

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhh hhhhttttttttt blessed ON!!!!!! :biggrin:

I'm going to have to try and remember how to record with a VCR now !! :eek:

I havent taped off TV in almost 10 years! I hope he does other shows (except maybe Jimmy Kimmel). :rolleyes:


WOOOOOOO-HOOOOOOOOOH!!!!! ;)

[formerlylavender]

Just curious...how are your friends and family reacting when you tell them about Gord on Letterman in October? I am SO enjoying the shock/surprise I'm getting from my family and friends. I usually start by saying "Guess who's going to be the musical guest on Letterman on October 8?" I can see the wheels turning and they say "who?" Of course they're thinking it couldn't possibly be Gord. It's so validating - I'm really getting a kick out of this!

[Borderstone]

The only thing I will say even romotely on the neg. here , is that I hope he does not wear that red jacket.

Nothing personal but he'd look better wearing mostly black and white or maybe a shade of dark brown.

Wouldn't it be incredible if he sang "End Of All Time" or "I'll Tag Along" ? :)

Let's make a multiple choice guess here , he will sing :

A. Sundown
B. Edmund Fitzgerald
C. Carefree Highway
D. If You Could Read My Mind
E. I'll Tag Along

or F. : Something else well known OR that is totally unexpected.

My vote is going to be Edmund Fitzgerald. (Much as I'd like it to be End of All Time or My Love For You.)

Let me know what you think! ;)

[charlene]

could be Fitz or IYCRMM...

but I know he wants to sing ITA..

oh wait - that's ME that wants him to sing ITA!
lolo

[TC]

I'm still standing firm on Gord singing a more obscure song. Something from "Painter" or "Waiting for you"....or not.

[fezo]

Just based on how Letterman does his musical acts I would rule out Fitz. They have to come in under, I think, 3-1/2 minutes. I know Fred Eaglesmith, who appeared in June and I got to talk to the day before and 4 days after taping said they had to get that time frame down. They went through several different ways of getting the song to fit the time slot - deciding to cut some of the length on instrumental breaks and such.

Since there is no new product to push my money would be on Sundown. IYCRMM would be my second guess. I'll love it if he proves me wrong. Those a great songs but I'd love to hear Don Quixote.

[jj]

I know Fred Eaglesmith, who appeared in June and I got to talk to the day before and 4 days after taping said they had to get that time frame down. They went through several different ways of getting the song to fit the time slot - deciding to cut some of the length on instrumental breaks and such.

oh, thanks for the belated heads up re Fred,...I will check out that clip online

i hope Gord doesn't cave to doing a condensed IYCRMM and stands his ground like he did on the Grammy's decades ago

my small circle seems to think it will go something like this (complete with red jacket) YouTube- ‪Gordon Lightfoot If You Could Read My Mind - Live in Rhode Island 2009‬‎
just seeing the historic GL visage with eyes closed during those instr segments should be captivating for any viewing audience...any who can't dig it should flick over to Kimmel, late night poker viewing or slapchop infomercials

anything that is picked and not strummed (the Wreck, Sundown, Carefree, etc) will sit fine with me

since 2003, I feel his voice has been most robust in songs like Harmony and 14 K Gold... "if you see me on the TV talking proud...." and Mike and the band back up those so nicely with tasty arrangements

i imagine Dave will walk over to GL after the tune and say something like "aren't you supposed to be dead?"....GL will give the signature "Well" shrug and that will be that

here's an idea....how about they cut out 5 minutes of the lame monolog and other yawn inducing shinnanigans, typical of the first 20 minutes of the show and let GL play a non-condensed composition... AND have a nice little Gord chat

who knows, maybe this will be the 1st promo spot for the Live Massey archives:clap:

[fezo]

I would LOVE to see them allow Gord more time than the standard 3:30 or whatever it is.

Unfortunately I have seen very prominent people condense songs for such things. Somewhere there is a cut (not a Letterman show) of Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt doing Natural Forces and condensing it by leaving oiut a verse or two which doesn't work. It would be like cutting the Fitz by neglecting the part where the ship sank.

[Jesse Joe]

i imagine Dave will walk over to GL after the tune and say something like "aren't you supposed to be dead?"....

This sounds like something Letterman would say jokingly of course.

I myself would like to see Lightfoot get the entire second half of the show. A shorter monologue with only 1 other guest,,, & then... 'The Royal Treatment' till the end of the broadcast ! :redface: :biggrin:

In the 80's I would never miss 'Late Night with David Letterman' following Carson. Couldn't wait for the following night to see what would he be doing next. :whistle:

But it's the way he took the news when Leno got 'The Tonight Show' that sort a made me lose interest in him. :(:(:(

[jj]

It would be like cutting the Fitz by neglecting the part where the ship sank.

good one, or like CRT being cut short ...oh wait, that did happen on the 1979 Soundstage broadcast...they only got to part 1 of the trilogy...i call it CRU( unilogy)

[fezo]

Here's what he'll do - some up with a new masterpiece and then tell Dave he's not recording it.....

[johnfowles]

Here's what he'll do - some up with a new masterpiece and then tell Dave he's not recording it.....
Good one Steve but nowadays it does not really matter because within a few hours a reasonable quality video would be on youtube for all to enjoy for posterity

[charlene]

the Letterman website has the videos of musical guests.

[fezo]

Good one Steve but nowadays it does not really matter because within a few hours a reasonable quality video would be on youtube for all to enjoy for posterity

I set that up on the tee just so you could knock it out. Well done, Sir John!

[Kelly Davis]

I can't wait!!! Gord deserves an interview on U.S. t.v. (why does Canada get all the good stuff????? - yeah, I know, I know)

My family and I will be seeing Gord in Aurora exactly one week from that night on Oct. 15th.

[Borderstone]

Why not just make Gordon his only guest that night,
let him sing 3 or 4 songs and then interview him for about 20-30 minutes? ;)

[charlene]

I think we all know he's not comfortable sittng and chatting..he barely does it here at home with journalists he knows.

[Dan O'Malley]

I know I hedged my bets on him singing IYCRMM, but for some reason i'm going for Restless now. Must have been a dream i had!

[charlene]

Restless is a good choice too...

[Jesse Joe]

Maybe 'Restless' ?

There's a plain and simple answer to each and every quest
From every quiet dancer who might be a special guest
In a movie made for TV or a late night interview
You might even find them on the "Young and the Restless" too

.

[Kelly Davis]

As far as what Gord may sing that night, I can say for my opinion, I.Y.C.R.M.M. always sounds the best at any concert, hands down.

I think the range of the song serves him well at this point in his life.

"The Wreck" is too long for a tight t.v. spot. I think it will be IYCRMM.

I can see a 'betting pool' forming shortly before the show airs.

[Borderstone]

Do you think we should send Dave thank you cards & letters for having Gordon on his show?

I think it's a cool idea. :cool:

[charlene]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ta0a3DFUU0Y&feature=player_embedded#!

[Jesse Joe]

That one from (MMM) sounds as good as it gets... instruments & vocals. :)

[KHester]

According to my friend who is one of the exec producers on Letterman. As of now Gord will most likely do only one song at the end of the show. That's too bad... but my friend will get me a network grade copy of the show.



Kevin

[Jesse Joe]

Very pleased to read this KHester, you probably will have folks here asking for copies of this network grade copy of the show.

[charlene]

One song,no chat I've been told. Song yet to be decided. Lightfoot longtime promo man got the gig for him.

[OldDan]

I was wondering......how did this happen ? I don't watch Letterman very often. Is it common for him to have an older musical act on ? The musical guests, whether old or new, are usually promoting something new. Seems odd.

My money is on IYCRMM too.

Dave has a penchant for featuring older music legends now and then interspersed with the indie rockers and hip hop acts. He had Jimmy Webb on back in July and last year even featured Jean Redpath, certainly a folk music icon, but not well known to the Late Show audience. Dave adores Emmylou Harris, too. Good luck to Gord, I'll be watching!

[Islandgirl1]

Previously, I suggested APPT, but today I was listening to my Creative Zen MP3 player and BABY STEP BACK played. I hadn't heard it in a while & now I think BSB would be a good one for Gord to play on Letterman. Not only does Gord usually perform it well but it is one of the tunes that features Terry on his guitar. I used to work for Catholic Charities as an activities coordinator/case manager w/ a population of adult chronic schizophrenics [I loved that job by the way] and one of the things I did was run an exercise group. Everybody loved exercising to BSB and often requested that I play it on my guitar during the sing-a-long group too. My non-Gord fan friends tend to like BSB too. I can't wait for October 8th. :) Dorothea

[jj]

the Letterman website has the videos of musical guests.

you know what i'm looking forward to (other than if Paul takes over or embellishes the keyboard segments of the selected track) is Dave's intro and post performance handshake and possible comments

these DL homepage clips are nice but why do they not have the intro for each artist and also not have Dave walking over after to have his brief interaction

imo, the same can be said of GL concerts the past decade...i am primarily there for the pre-song intros and bantering anecdotes (and the 5% worth of set list adds)

interesting song choice opinions here...hmmm, well if he actually does play BSB i'll probably go for a pee break...imagine if BSB was his network tv legacy

well, the countdown is on...

[Dave, Melbourne,Australia]

I've just realised that Australia's Ten Network, which has been screening The Late Show EVERY WEEKNIGHT THIS YEAR, is instead screening the Delhi Commonwealth Games in that timeslot throughout the first half of October. The Lightfoot episode may never screen in Australia! It may be used as a filler on a night when Ten doesn't have the latest episode ready for screening, but if so, that would be weeks or months from now and we wouldn't know about it.

[joveski]

i'm sure it'll be up on youtube!

[T.G.]

I cancelled my cable - have no need for all the crap in TV - so hope a pair of rabbit ears will pick up the show. Otherwise, I hope someone records it and puts it up on YouTube.

[gmerrick]

So what happened that Gord is no longer going to appear tonight?

GM

[charlene]

the appearance has been postponed and will be re-scheduled for another time. that is all the news there is at this time.

[jj]

Do you think we should send Dave thank you cards & letters for having Gordon on his show?



no

[timetraveler]

To be absolutely honest, and please forgive me the vulgar word I will use here & now, but I was so very pissed off when I tuned in to Letterman to see Gordon & saw only a bunch of goobers, with Letterman being the biggest one of the lot! Hell, I passed up watching The Nanny on Nickelodeon just to catch Gordon & then Letterman goes & lays a huge goose egg like that. I may consider forgiving him if he does relent & reschedule our man for a later show, as well as having a damn good excuse for having postponed his apearance in the first place.

[Borderstone]

It's been a years since this! Woww!

Silly question but do you think this appearence will ever take place?