GORDON will be 75 - BIRTHDAY WISHES - post them here

[charlene]

November 17, 1938 - It's a landmark birthday - 75 years and 50 of them on The Carefree Highway giving us the music we love.

Please post wishes here or even better for this milestone birthday you can send wishes in a REAL card to:

Do not reply to another persons post..just post your own birthday message.

GORDON LIGHTFOOT
Early Morning Productions
1365 Yonge Street
#207
TORONTO, Ontario
M4T 2P7

[spocksbrain]

Dear Gordon,
It's been a real journey for me from young adulthood to now and I've had your music along as my constant companion. My father forced me to listen to your music when I was in high school and before long something in my brain said "This is quality. This is what a man feels like."

Your records have taken me from Biscayne Bay all the way to the sea of Tranquility. Both of my babies have been to Lightfoot shows in the womb.

You don't know it, but you are part of our family. I have a picture of you and I after a concert in my office, looking down on me as I type, and in my "man cave" at the house.

That's the way your legacy and your music will live on for so many people. I worked extra hours to pay for my entire family to go to a Lightfoot show nine hours away in Knoxville when I was 19. Since then, it's been eight more concerts and as many records, CDs and rarities as I've been able to buy, dig up or have people send me.

Many thanks for making your blessing as one of the most gifted songwriters and singers available to me and a happy 75th.

Chow.

Chris Davis,
Jackson, Miss.

[Kernel]

Happy Birthday :)

[paskatefan]

Dear Gordon,
You are my all time favorite singer/songwriter. We have seen you many times in concert (first time in 1977), and I've lost count of how many concerts we've attended. It's always a pleasure to see/hear you & meet up with your awesome band. Happy a wonderful b'day celebration!

[imported_Ordinary_Man]

Happy 75th Gord!

Looking forward to the show in Joliet IL in a few days. I too have lost track of all the shows I've attended in several states over the years. Really glad you still love to get out there and make us happy.

All the best,
Steve

[Patti]

Have a Happy Birthday, Gordon Lightfoot. and by the way, I have a feeling I heard her mention your name in Oregon. (don't remember what all she said tho. She said a lot of things.)

[Borderstone]

My most heartfelt wishes for a Happy 75th Birthday to Gordon Lightfoot! :)

I've seen you in concert 4 times and had the pleasure of talking with you,taking pictures with you and yes,getting autographs. I even flew to L.A. in Oct. 2008 and rode with fellow Corfidian's down the coast to San Diego to see 2 shows in a row.

I hope your 75th finds you in a happy,fun and joyful mood that will match the day itself.

I'm also hping to get to see you live in February 2014 , here in Phoenix , once again.


Have a great Birthday and many,many,many..more! :cool:


-Borderstone-

[Bill]

Happy Birthday Gord! You have been a musical constant in my life for 40 years. I look at your journey, your strength of character, and even the foibles...you are a true original and one of my personal heroes -- faults and all ( a few, like us all!).

To quote Joe Walsh of all people, " When you look back on your life, it all seems like a finely crafted novel, but at the time...it don't. ". Hoping to see you again a little further down the Carefree Highway...keep charging man, you are solid.

[jj]

Happy Birthday, Gordon Lightfoot

Listening to your recordings, studying your well-crafted arrangements and performing your songs since I was a teen has nurtured me as a musician.

Thank you for that all...and for personifying Canada.

Good health to you today, and for many years to come.

opus62

[Auburn Annie]

Thanks, Gord, for the melodies that soothe and lyrics that are sheer poetry. I have been enjoying your music since your first solo album, way too many years ago now - and never tire of listening to them. Have s joyous 75th with your family and friends. "Auburn Annie"

[Lisa J]

Happy Birthday, Gordon! thank you for a lifetime of beautiful music. Your music is the soundtrack of my life. I heard my first Gordon Lightfoot song in 1971 and from that moment on, there was no turning back. I grew up on your beautiful voice and your incredible songs. I have seen many of your concerts, including three in a row at the Universal Amphitheatre back in the late 70's, but my favorite of all time was last year on Mother's day. It was my best mother's day because I was able to go backstage with my daughter to meet you and chat. We talked about Terry and it was a wonderfully sweet conversation. Happy Birthday! enjoy your day and thank your for a lifetime of your music.

lisa j

[BendRick]

Gord, I grew up in the 1960's-1970's, and in 1975 a junior-high school friend turned me onto your music. From then on I collected ALL of your works. I've attended many of your concerts on the west coast USA, first was at San Diego 1979, latest was Grants Pass, OR 2009. I've always shared your music with my family and friends and they love it too. It's a favorite on our camping trips. Keep on doing what you're doing.

[charlene]

I sent this to a few newspapers across the country: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/music/Happy+75th+Gordon+from+loyal/9173983/story.html

Many fans around the world, including me, would like to wish our legendary icon, Gordon Lightfoot a very happy 75th birthday on Nov. 17. Thanks to Gordon for the decades of consistently excellent music and concerts that are the soundtrack to so many lives his music has touched.

As a teen in the late 1960s I fell in love with his beautiful songs and all these years later after many, many concerts in many cities, Lightfoot still remains my No. 1 artist to listen to and see in concert. As a kid I never could have imagined I'd be lucky enough to meet him, speak on the phone with him and even interview him but I have several times. It's truly an honour to be a long time loyal Gordon Lightfoot fan. We'll see him down the road in 2014.

Charlene Westbrook, Whitby

[curiousmoonbeam]

Dear Gordon:

It is with great joy that I wish you a very Happy 75th Birthday! From the beautiful ballads that you've crafted to the rockin' toe-tappers, every song is an inspiration in some way. Thank you for the many years of music and poetry that you have given the world, which came at a price. With heartfelt gratitude,
curiousmoonbeam (and thank you for my name!)

[Gord H]

Hi Gord!! Happy 75th Birthday!!

It was my dad ( who by the way is also Gord) introduced me to your music back in 1976 when he bought me Summertime Dream for Christmas. I must have worn out the needle 10 times listening to it.

From that day onward your music has been a constant in my life. I too as a child never thought in a million years that I'd ever meet you in the future. The moment I heard you were coming to Brantford in 1990, I had to give my head a shake twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things!

Yourself and the rest of the band at the time were just awesome.

I count myself fortunate that I have met you and the orchestra many times over the years.

Enjoy your day and here's to many more!

Gord Henwood
Brantford ON

[redhead]

Best wishes on your 75th birthday, dear Sir. May you continue to honor us with your talent and your graciousness for many years.

[johnfowles]

Gordon
As I think you are aware I would not be composing this note of thanks for your sublime music and poetry if it was not for being in the right place at the right time when I first heard your records on the Montreal radio in 1966. leading to that fateful night in 1999 when my life was almost certainly saved by a fellow Lighthead (a very dear and sweet lady actually) in the Lightfoot Chat Room after I had suffered a stroke.
Many Many Happy Returns of the day

[Unsettled 1]

Happy Birthday Gordon! I have listened to your music for 40 years, and always will.
You are without peer.
May you enjoy many more...

[paddletothesea]

Happy Birthday from all your friends out in Montana!!!!!! Cheers to another wonderful year Gordon!!!

[seafarer62]

Hello Gordon and very happy birthday. First heard you in the early 1970's on AM radio and it has been a fantastic ride. Your music has helped me through many highs and lows. Friends have come and gone, but you are still there in my car or home making me smile.

Also have enjoyed 50+ concerts since 1977. Thank you for all your trips to Minnesota. I have been able to say hello to you after a few concerts. You have been a gift to so many- hope you enjoy your big day with your kids and friends!

Best, John Wicklund (Miinnesota)

[teherie]

Happy Birthday from someone who shares the same birthdate even though I am 17 years behind you.

Within a year of getting my first guitar, I discovered your music but it took seven years to see you live for the first time at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh back in 1975. Since then it's been live concerts at Constitution Hall (DC), Robin Hood Dell West (Philadelphia), Warner Theater (Erie, PA), Chautauqua Institution (Mayfield NY), Shea's Theatre (Buffalo) Seneca Casino (Salamanca, NY) just to name a few.

Along the way, we have spent time together and run the technology gamut from LPs, 8 track and cassette tapes to CDs and I tunes not to mention VHS and DVDs.You're the reason that my first good guitar was and still is a Martin and the first piece of sheet music I purchased from my paper route money was "If you could read my mind". These have been some pretty incredible gifts and I get to spend today with my five grandchildren.

Thanks.

[JohninCt.]

Happy Birthday Gordon, been great hearing and seeing you all these years. I will always be in awe of your skills in music. You have given us all so much great music in your life, and I thank you. Many more years of health and happiness to you.

[formerlylavender]

Happy 75th Birthday, Gord! I honestly don't know what I'd be listening to if I hadn't discovered your music all those years ago. Have a great day today and many more years of happiness to you.

Lisa

[patybear]

Happy Birthday, Gordy.

[Borderstone]

A Wonderful,Terrific and Happy 75th Gordon !! :)

....and many,many,many more! ;)

[charlene]

Krista J Holmes-Storey:
One of two beautiful cakes created by Mariposa Market in celebration of Orillia's own Golden Son; Gordon Lightfoot's 75th birthday.

[charlene]

http://www.orilliapacket.com/2013/11/17/love-for-lightfoot

Love for Lightfoot
By Sara Ross, Orillia Packet & Times

Sunday, November 17, 2013 4:38:55 EST PM

It was a concert at The Kee to Bala that sparked Earl Lewis' love for Gordon Lightfoot.

“I got in for free and saw his last two songs,” Lewis said Saturday. “I was just totally floored by the guy. I thought this is so amazing.”

Lewis was 14-years-old when he watched Lightfoot that first time.

Now 60, he's followed Lightfoot's career ever since.

“I have seen him countless times at Massey Hall. I would see him every year down there,” Lewis said. “I've been a huge fan of his.”

Lewis' mother also loves Lightfoot and the pair would go to concerts together.

“He spans generations and a lot of musicians don't do that,” he said. “That's one of the things I think is so amazing about him.”

Lewis brought his Lightfoot memorabilia to the Orillia Museum of Art and History Saturday to add to their display.

Downtown Orillia hosted a number of events over the weekend to celebrate Lightfoot's 75th birthday.

The international folk singer and songwriter was born in Orillia Nov. 17, 1938.

The Circle is Small Band, a Lightfoot tribute band, performed downtown at Brewery Bay Food Company both Friday and Saturday night.

“It was jammed packed,” lead guitarist Jack Nicolle said of the Friday show. “It was well received. We're happy.”

When the Mariposa Folk Festival returned to Orillia in 2000, Nicolle volunteered as a stage tech.

“I was standing beside (Lightfoot) backstage and I felt this little tug on my sleeve. He autographed my sleeve,” Nicolle said. “(Lightfoot) said 'I just thought you'd like that.'”

Nicolle has always been a fan of Lightfoot and was even a student of Red Shea, Lighfoot's original lead guitarist.

“(Lightfoot's) an icon Canadian songwriter, probably a worldwide icon,” Nicolle said. “He's just wonderful.”

Ernie Valcheff, one of birthday event organizers and a member of the tribute band, enjoys learning to play Lightfoot's songs.

“I came from other music, so it was a challenge for me to actually do his music,” Valcheff said. “It's a new wheel for me.”

Playing in The Circle is Small Band is very enjoyable, Valcheff said.

“It's exciting to do tribute,” he said. “It's my first time doing tribute.”

sara.ross@summedia.ca

Twitter: @Sara_VRoss

[charlene]

video - http://barrie.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1045353

[charlene]

published in Calgary, Toronto and Ottawa papers - editors changed things up a bit at eachpaper..lol (scroll down at link) http://www.calgarysun.com/2013/11/16/letters-to-the-editor-for-nov-17-2013

Happy 75th, Gordon, from a loyal fan
Ottawa Citizen November 16, 2013 9:11 AM

Many fans around the world, including me, would like to wish our legendary icon, Gordon Lightfoot a very happy 75th birthday on Nov. 17. Thanks to Gordon for the decades of consistently excellent music and concerts that are the soundtrack to so many lives his music has touched.

As a teen in the late 1960s I fell in love with his beautiful songs and all these years later after many, many concerts in many cities, Lightfoot still remains my No. 1 artist to listen to and see in concert. As a kid I never could have imagined I'd be lucky enough to meet him, speak on the phone with him and even interview him but I have several times. It's truly an honour to be a longtime loyal Gordon Lightfoot fan. We'll see him down the road in 2014.

Charlene Westbrook, Whitby

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/music/Happy+75th+Gordon+from+loyal/9173983/story.html

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GORDON

Happy 75th birthday, Gordon Lightfoot (Nov. 17). Thank you, Gordon, for the decades of consistently excellent music and concerts that are the soundtrack to so many lives your music has touched. As a teen in the late ’60s I fell in love with his beautiful songs and all these years later after many, many concerts in many cities, Gordon Lightfoot still remains my number one artist. As a kid, I never could have imagined I’d be lucky enough to meet him, speak on the phone with him and even interview him but I have several times! It’s truly my honour to be a long-time loyal Gordon Lightfoot fan. Thank you and have a wonderful birthday, Gordon; see you down the road in 2014!

Char Westbrook

(He’s a Canadian icon.)

[Burr]

Gordon,
Birthday greetings from the San Francisco Bay Area wine country.
This is a landmark day in your life. Congratulations for fifty plus years on the carefree highway.
Over the years, you've issued forth a precious gift of music through raw talent and wizardry. I've heard your music emanating from the AM radio, the FM stereo, then LPs and CDs, and now the Internet. I've loaded the car with your recordings,and I've worked with your music ringing between my ears. Even been to a couple of your concerts around here, too.
Although we've never met you're been in my life.
You rock, man! Keep on keepin' on!
Burr

[OldDan]

From first hearing you singing "Poor Little Allison" back in 1970 on AM radio, to actually meeting you in person on several occasions, your music has been the soundtrack of my life. Thanks for all the outstanding albums and memorable live performances over the years! Wishing you a very Happy 75th Birthday, Gordon!

[ellen]

You've been an important, essential part of my life for a good long while now, ever since I convinced my French teacher in our rural North Carolina high school forty some years ago that we should listen to you in class and learn "Nous Vivons Ensemble" - and I convinced her we should attend your concert at Wake Forest University forty miles away.

As the years passed I heard you sing in concert when I was away at university, but rarely after as life got busy and burdens heavy. Always though, your words and music filled my ears, caught my imagination, and danced in my dreams through times of heartbreak and joy. It was my constant companion, especially in recent years when I needed the memory of summertime dreams to chase away the shadows.

The last 2-3 years have allowed more opportunities to hear you in person. As much as I love the beauty of the music you make, I admire and appreciate the strength, discipline, determination, and solid work ethic you bring to your effort. I'm glad you still love the work.

So I wish you the happiest of birthdays, and hope you will continue to find satisfaction in your work and your life in all the years to come. I hope you have some sense of what you and your music mean to so many of us. Our lives are much the richer for the poetry you sing us.

Thank you.
ellen

[Borderstone]

I can't beleive my incredible luck :)

You want to hear something amazing? A we know,it was Gordon's
birthday yesterday,I had already stopped by here to give my birthday greeetings.

Well,after that,my borther and I went to a local antiques market,just about a mile or so from home. I was searching through an area of records,tapes & CD's and what in the world do I find?

A Reprise reel to reel,in the original box with the 1/2 circle label (on the reel) still intact! What album you ask? None other than "Sit Down Young Stranger"/"If You Could Read My Mind"!! Same picture as the album too.

...but,even bigger than that,it had neither title on it but it simply said on the front ,in a brown colored square, "New Gordon Lightfoot". The price a mere $8.00 . My brother made it an early Christmas gift for me. :) :cool:

What an interesting thing to happen on his 75th birthday! :) Have a great week guys.