charlene
10-28-2013, 11:28 AM
Collingswood NJ - Nov.1,2013
http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2013/10/25/entertainment/doc526abe796a203817211567.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Gordon Lightfoot celebrates 50 years in music at Scottish Rite
Published: Friday, October 25, 2013
By Rob Nagy
21st Century Media News Service
Canadian troubadour Gordon Lightfoot will perform at Scottish Rite Ballroom as part of his 50th anniversary tour.
Armed with a 12-string acoustic guitar and his signature baritone voice, Canada’s beloved Gordon Lightfoot is celebrating 50 years in music. Credited with merging folk and pop music, he helped introduce this genre to the world.
With more than 200 recordings in his catalog, including the timeless classics “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Rainy Day People,” “Carefree Highway” and “Sundown,” Lightfoot has earned numerous recording industry awards.
A highly regarded songsmith, his songs have been recorded by some of modern music’s biggest names, including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand and Peter, Paul and Mary.
A successful child performer, Lightfoot taught himself to play folk guitar. Influenced by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Bob Gibson and 19th-century American songwriter Stephen Foster, Lightfoot eventually became a fixture in the Toronto coffeehouses performing folk music.
In 1965 Lightfoot signed his first major recording contract with United Artists Records, releasing his highly anticipated debut album “Lightfoot” one year later. That record featured the songs "For Lovin' Me," "Early Mornin' Rain," "Steel Rail Blues" and "Ribbon of Darkness."
Appearances at the Newport Folk Festival as well as on “The Tonight Show,” starring John Carson, followed. Having already solidified his superstar popularity in Canada, American audiences were now following suit.
“I was part of the folk revival early on,” recalls Lightfoot. “I had my own style. I have my own vocal sound, which allowed me to get involved with some important recording companies over the years. Many of the songs I wrote on the road and recorded around touring.
“The Beatles were always in my face [laughs]. I had three years of trying before I had to compete with them.”
Subsequent album releases “The Way I Feel” (1967), “Did She Mention My Name?” (1968), “Back Here on Earth” (1968) and the live album “Sunday Concert” (1969) all yielded a number of Top 40 songs on the Canadian charts.
After signing with Warner Brothers Records in 1970, Lightfoot scored his first million-selling international hit single, the classic “If You Could Read My Mind.” Long recognized as a critically acclaimed writer, Lightfoot was now gaining notice for his live performance.
The first half of the ’70s proved to be Lightfoot’s most commercially successful. Three more smash hit singles followed — “Sundown” (1974), “Rainy Day People” (1975) and his greatest masterpiece “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976).
“A timeless song really comes down to three basic things,” says Lightfoot. “It’s a great song, great arrangement and great vocal. That is indeed what makes a memorable song. Like a Barbra Streisand or Frank Sinatra song that sticks with you and stands the test of time.”
Continuing to record and perform throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Lightfoot’s career was abruptly put on hold in 2002 when he underwent the first of multiple surgeries for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
“When a very serious illness put me out of business for 2 ½ years, the very first thing that I did as soon as I got back into recovery was get right back into the gym,” recalls Lightfoot. “That’s part of my job along with going on stage. It’s tough. It’s hard. That’s what’s doing it for this old guy.”
In 2004, with work completed on his 20th album, “Harmony,” Lightfoot made his highly anticipated return to the concert stage by performing a pair of sold-out benefit shows in Hamilton, Ontario.
Two years later, in the middle of a performance, Lightfoot experienced a minor stroke that left him without the use of a portion of his right hand. Forced to use an additional guitarist, he fortunately regained full use of his right hand a year later.
Lightfoot’s accomplishments have earned him induction into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1986) and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2001). In 2003 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor. Lightfoot is also a member of the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honor. Last year, Lightfoot was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in New York City.
“I’m very humbled,” says Lightfoot. “It’s so amazing, I don’t totally believe it. I keep making myself believe that I deserve these accolades by just trying to do it better. I just keep trying to get it better all the time.”
In 2012, Lightfoot released his “All Live” album, a collection of live concert recordings spanning 1998 to 2001.
“My band and I very much enjoy performing our material before audiences,” says Lightfoot. “I have this wonderful group of four backup musicians. We have about eight standards. They always have to be a part of the show. If we did not do them the audience would be disappointed — ‘Sundown,’ ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’ and ‘If You Could Read My Mind’ —those three in particular. The people really like these songs, and they get a really great response.”
“I’m excited to get back out on the road,” says Lightfoot. “I’m not going to stop, particularly after I had the illness. Now that I’m back, I’m never going to stop. It’s a drive. It’s a passion. I’ve always tried to improve things and make my band better.”
IF YOU GO
Gordon Lightfoot
performs at the
Scottish Rite Ballroom,
315 White Horse Pike,
Collingswood, NJ 08107,
Friday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m.
Info: 856-270-6656 or
www.ticketmaster.com.
http://www.montgomerynews.com/articles/2013/10/25/entertainment/doc526abe796a203817211567.txt?viewmode=fullstory
Gordon Lightfoot celebrates 50 years in music at Scottish Rite
Published: Friday, October 25, 2013
By Rob Nagy
21st Century Media News Service
Canadian troubadour Gordon Lightfoot will perform at Scottish Rite Ballroom as part of his 50th anniversary tour.
Armed with a 12-string acoustic guitar and his signature baritone voice, Canada’s beloved Gordon Lightfoot is celebrating 50 years in music. Credited with merging folk and pop music, he helped introduce this genre to the world.
With more than 200 recordings in his catalog, including the timeless classics “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Rainy Day People,” “Carefree Highway” and “Sundown,” Lightfoot has earned numerous recording industry awards.
A highly regarded songsmith, his songs have been recorded by some of modern music’s biggest names, including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand and Peter, Paul and Mary.
A successful child performer, Lightfoot taught himself to play folk guitar. Influenced by Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan, Bob Gibson and 19th-century American songwriter Stephen Foster, Lightfoot eventually became a fixture in the Toronto coffeehouses performing folk music.
In 1965 Lightfoot signed his first major recording contract with United Artists Records, releasing his highly anticipated debut album “Lightfoot” one year later. That record featured the songs "For Lovin' Me," "Early Mornin' Rain," "Steel Rail Blues" and "Ribbon of Darkness."
Appearances at the Newport Folk Festival as well as on “The Tonight Show,” starring John Carson, followed. Having already solidified his superstar popularity in Canada, American audiences were now following suit.
“I was part of the folk revival early on,” recalls Lightfoot. “I had my own style. I have my own vocal sound, which allowed me to get involved with some important recording companies over the years. Many of the songs I wrote on the road and recorded around touring.
“The Beatles were always in my face [laughs]. I had three years of trying before I had to compete with them.”
Subsequent album releases “The Way I Feel” (1967), “Did She Mention My Name?” (1968), “Back Here on Earth” (1968) and the live album “Sunday Concert” (1969) all yielded a number of Top 40 songs on the Canadian charts.
After signing with Warner Brothers Records in 1970, Lightfoot scored his first million-selling international hit single, the classic “If You Could Read My Mind.” Long recognized as a critically acclaimed writer, Lightfoot was now gaining notice for his live performance.
The first half of the ’70s proved to be Lightfoot’s most commercially successful. Three more smash hit singles followed — “Sundown” (1974), “Rainy Day People” (1975) and his greatest masterpiece “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976).
“A timeless song really comes down to three basic things,” says Lightfoot. “It’s a great song, great arrangement and great vocal. That is indeed what makes a memorable song. Like a Barbra Streisand or Frank Sinatra song that sticks with you and stands the test of time.”
Continuing to record and perform throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Lightfoot’s career was abruptly put on hold in 2002 when he underwent the first of multiple surgeries for a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
“When a very serious illness put me out of business for 2 ½ years, the very first thing that I did as soon as I got back into recovery was get right back into the gym,” recalls Lightfoot. “That’s part of my job along with going on stage. It’s tough. It’s hard. That’s what’s doing it for this old guy.”
In 2004, with work completed on his 20th album, “Harmony,” Lightfoot made his highly anticipated return to the concert stage by performing a pair of sold-out benefit shows in Hamilton, Ontario.
Two years later, in the middle of a performance, Lightfoot experienced a minor stroke that left him without the use of a portion of his right hand. Forced to use an additional guitarist, he fortunately regained full use of his right hand a year later.
Lightfoot’s accomplishments have earned him induction into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1986) and the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame (2001). In 2003 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada, the country's highest civilian honor. Lightfoot is also a member of the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honor. Last year, Lightfoot was inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame in New York City.
“I’m very humbled,” says Lightfoot. “It’s so amazing, I don’t totally believe it. I keep making myself believe that I deserve these accolades by just trying to do it better. I just keep trying to get it better all the time.”
In 2012, Lightfoot released his “All Live” album, a collection of live concert recordings spanning 1998 to 2001.
“My band and I very much enjoy performing our material before audiences,” says Lightfoot. “I have this wonderful group of four backup musicians. We have about eight standards. They always have to be a part of the show. If we did not do them the audience would be disappointed — ‘Sundown,’ ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald’ and ‘If You Could Read My Mind’ —those three in particular. The people really like these songs, and they get a really great response.”
“I’m excited to get back out on the road,” says Lightfoot. “I’m not going to stop, particularly after I had the illness. Now that I’m back, I’m never going to stop. It’s a drive. It’s a passion. I’ve always tried to improve things and make my band better.”
IF YOU GO
Gordon Lightfoot
performs at the
Scottish Rite Ballroom,
315 White Horse Pike,
Collingswood, NJ 08107,
Friday, Nov. 1, 8 p.m.
Info: 856-270-6656 or
www.ticketmaster.com.