Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Lightfoot Bust-HAMILTON, Ont.

buzzard · 09-07-2009, 01:26 AM

The unveiling of the Lightfoot bust was a unique experience; I’m glad I went. It was a pleasure to accompany Char & Lisa. The venue was a beautiful new banquet hall up on the mountain in Hamilton. We arrived around 1:30 and were among the very first people there. We chatted with some of the organizers and Gino Cavicchioli, the sculptor – a very warm and charming fellow. About half of the hall had his works on display – about 12-15 sculptures and maybe 10-12 paintings and drawings. All of the exhibits were incredible. The other half of the hall had three tables for the dignitaries and a very elevated stage with the Lightfoot sculpture draped.

By 2:00 there were still not many in attendance. But people soon poured in. By the time the program began around 2:30, I’d guess there were 700 or 800 in attendance. There were some opening comments and then a pianist, Valerie Tryon, was introduced. Before she could begin to play, Gino had to rush out and back twice – first to fetch her a bench to sit on, then to unlock the piano keyboard. Did I mention that this guy was very charming? Ms. Tryon was a fantastic pianist and graciously played an encore piece.

Then it was Mr. Lightfoot’s turn. They started to make arrangements to bring him a vocal mike, but he said “No” (What a shock!). So he walks up, plugs his guitar into this little mini-amplifier on the floor and begins. He sang If You Could Read My Mind and Diamond Joe. We were sitting not more than 20 feet from him and it was really hard to hear the vocals. It must have been almost impossible for the people standing behind us to hear much of anything.

Nonetheless, he got a huge ovation. Then they did the grand unveiling. His comment was something like, “You know Gino. . . it does bear a resemblance, there is a resemblance!”. Gord also commented about how he had gotten the hair right (which is VERY long in the back). They hugged and took some pictures; it was evident that Gino was very pleased (as very well he should be).

After the unveiling, Gord signed autographs and posed for pictures for well over an hour – had to be tiring for him, but he seemed in great spirits the whole time.
That’s about all I remember.

Brian
(Official driver of the Westbrooks)

09-07-2009, 01:26 AM	#51
buzzard Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 169	Re: Lightfoot in Hamilton The unveiling of the Lightfoot bust was a unique experience; I’m glad I went. It was a pleasure to accompany Char & Lisa. The venue was a beautiful new banquet hall up on the mountain in Hamilton. We arrived around 1:30 and were among the very first people there. We chatted with some of the organizers and Gino Cavicchioli, the sculptor – a very warm and charming fellow. About half of the hall had his works on display – about 12-15 sculptures and maybe 10-12 paintings and drawings. All of the exhibits were incredible. The other half of the hall had three tables for the dignitaries and a very elevated stage with the Lightfoot sculpture draped. By 2:00 there were still not many in attendance. But people soon poured in. By the time the program began around 2:30, I’d guess there were 700 or 800 in attendance. There were some opening comments and then a pianist, Valerie Tryon, was introduced. Before she could begin to play, Gino had to rush out and back twice – first to fetch her a bench to sit on, then to unlock the piano keyboard. Did I mention that this guy was very charming? Ms. Tryon was a fantastic pianist and graciously played an encore piece. Then it was Mr. Lightfoot’s turn. They started to make arrangements to bring him a vocal mike, but he said “No” (What a shock!). So he walks up, plugs his guitar into this little mini-amplifier on the floor and begins. He sang If You Could Read My Mind and Diamond Joe. We were sitting not more than 20 feet from him and it was really hard to hear the vocals. It must have been almost impossible for the people standing behind us to hear much of anything. Nonetheless, he got a huge ovation. Then they did the grand unveiling. His comment was something like, “You know Gino. . . it does bear a resemblance, there is a resemblance!”. Gord also commented about how he had gotten the hair right (which is VERY long in the back). They hugged and took some pictures; it was evident that Gino was very pleased (as very well he should be). After the unveiling, Gord signed autographs and posed for pictures for well over an hour – had to be tiring for him, but he seemed in great spirits the whole time. That’s about all I remember. Brian (Official driver of the Westbrooks)