Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Lightfoot to perform@Benefit-Renascent House-11-2012

charlene · 04-05-2015, 08:34 PM

7/1992 - video @ https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1076205123732

"Let the beautiful place be open." With those words, Gordon Lightfoot officially opens Renascent House, a rehabilitation clinic for alcoholics in downtown Toronto. In this CBC Television clip, Lightfoot says he has a personal reason for making the rare public appearance. "I have a history of similar problems of my own," the singer says. Lightfoot says he was not lucky enough to have a facility like Renascent House when he stopped drinking many years ago.

In a 1975 interview, the CBC's Elwood Glover asked Lightfoot how he remained so prolific as a songwriter. "I find that the odd drink helps," joked Lightfoot. Lightfoot battled alcoholism throughout his career before finally beating his addiction in 1982.

. Lightfoot told the Toronto Sun in 1996 that his trouble started in 1972 when he mixed alcohol with medication for temporary facial paralysis. Before making a record or going on tour he would dry out by going on long, alcohol-free canoe trips through Northern Canada. "One of the main reasons I gave up drinking was that my writing had slowed to a crawl," he said.

04-05-2015, 08:34 PM	#35
charlene Moderator Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 16,001	Re: Lightfoot to perform @ Benefit-Renascent House 7/1992 - video @ https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1076205123732 "Let the beautiful place be open." With those words, Gordon Lightfoot officially opens Renascent House, a rehabilitation clinic for alcoholics in downtown Toronto. In this CBC Television clip, Lightfoot says he has a personal reason for making the rare public appearance. "I have a history of similar problems of my own," the singer says. Lightfoot says he was not lucky enough to have a facility like Renascent House when he stopped drinking many years ago. In a 1975 interview, the CBC's Elwood Glover asked Lightfoot how he remained so prolific as a songwriter. "I find that the odd drink helps," joked Lightfoot. Lightfoot battled alcoholism throughout his career before finally beating his addiction in 1982. . Lightfoot told the Toronto Sun in 1996 that his trouble started in 1972 when he mixed alcohol with medication for temporary facial paralysis. Before making a record or going on tour he would dry out by going on long, alcohol-free canoe trips through Northern Canada. "One of the main reasons I gave up drinking was that my writing had slowed to a crawl," he said.