Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - CHat #1 - Ring,ring: "Hi Char, it's Gordon Lightfoot calling".

charlene · 03-31-2007, 09:30 AM

While I did miss speaking face to face with him I could see him in my mind, recalling his head movements, hand gestures etc. from the few times I have talked with him in person and watching him onstage.

He was more than gracious and patient with me, as a fan and not a professional writer or journalist, and I loved when he said he'd "help me along."..

He fully understood what a huge thrill it was for me and that I could possibly need some help!
lol

He was very soft spoken and thoughtful in his answers. It was lovely to hear him laugh and recall past events of his life. His love and pride in his children was very clear in his voice and a tinge of sadness was heard when he spoke of his music playing havoc with his relationships. At least that's how I heard it.

He's a focused, driven man who is happy and healthy and loving every moment of life these days. From the drudgery of keeping fit to the satisfaction of performing for his fans I think he's at a wonderful place in his life and I can't express how greatful I am to be asked to take a small glimpse into it.

His gesture and words to me were not necessary yet he thought differently and I am more than happy to be able to share this with all of you 'out there' as he says!

30+ years ago I was a kid in Toronto listening to 1050 CHUM on my transistor radio and a beautiful voice was singing the most incredible song, "If You Could Read My Mind" and it was then that a lifelong love of Lightfoot music began for me. It's never wavered, it's never been set aside as life changed for me over the years. It's always just been a part of who I am. The concerts, the albums, the photos I'd take, the reviews and the interviews I'd read and keep - over the years I was just a fan, one of so many I never even knew about, and one that I was sure Lightfoot would surely never know as a singular entity sitting there at Massey all those times. I was completely content to sit and listen and then go home to patiently wait for the next time I was graced with the good fortune to do it all again. Many times over the yearsI did write thankyou letters to him, a birthday card, a letter to the paper would be published...sent and forgotten..A quick meeting at Mariposa,then I was delivering hundreds of pages of birthday wishes to his office, being interviewed by a Toronto paper about internet fans, meeting him backstage and handing him his birthday wishes from all of us and helping raise funds in his name...and always being thankful to have his music in my life.

The greatest gift in this wonderful experience I've just had is his acknowledgement of all of those times and that The Man himself is greatful and said Thank You in such a way.

He recognizes that there is a fan base 'out there' and he appreciates all of us. That's why he wanted to have this chat...to give a little of himself beyond the concerts and music and say "thank you."

You're welcome Gordon.

03-31-2007, 09:30 AM	#25
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	While I did miss speaking face to face with him I could see him in my mind, recalling his head movements, hand gestures etc. from the few times I have talked with him in person and watching him onstage. He was more than gracious and patient with me, as a fan and not a professional writer or journalist, and I loved when he said he'd "help me along.".. He fully understood what a huge thrill it was for me and that I could possibly need some help! lol He was very soft spoken and thoughtful in his answers. It was lovely to hear him laugh and recall past events of his life. His love and pride in his children was very clear in his voice and a tinge of sadness was heard when he spoke of his music playing havoc with his relationships. At least that's how I heard it. He's a focused, driven man who is happy and healthy and loving every moment of life these days. From the drudgery of keeping fit to the satisfaction of performing for his fans I think he's at a wonderful place in his life and I can't express how greatful I am to be asked to take a small glimpse into it. His gesture and words to me were not necessary yet he thought differently and I am more than happy to be able to share this with all of you 'out there' as he says! 30+ years ago I was a kid in Toronto listening to 1050 CHUM on my transistor radio and a beautiful voice was singing the most incredible song, "If You Could Read My Mind" and it was then that a lifelong love of Lightfoot music began for me. It's never wavered, it's never been set aside as life changed for me over the years. It's always just been a part of who I am. The concerts, the albums, the photos I'd take, the reviews and the interviews I'd read and keep - over the years I was just a fan, one of so many I never even knew about, and one that I was sure Lightfoot would surely never know as a singular entity sitting there at Massey all those times. I was completely content to sit and listen and then go home to patiently wait for the next time I was graced with the good fortune to do it all again. Many times over the yearsI did write thankyou letters to him, a birthday card, a letter to the paper would be published...sent and forgotten..A quick meeting at Mariposa,then I was delivering hundreds of pages of birthday wishes to his office, being interviewed by a Toronto paper about internet fans, meeting him backstage and handing him his birthday wishes from all of us and helping raise funds in his name...and always being thankful to have his music in my life. The greatest gift in this wonderful experience I've just had is his acknowledgement of all of those times and that The Man himself is greatful and said Thank You in such a way. He recognizes that there is a fan base 'out there' and he appreciates all of us. That's why he wanted to have this chat...to give a little of himself beyond the concerts and music and say "thank you." You're welcome Gordon.