Gordon Lightfoot Forums - View Single Post - Gordon Interviewed for THE RECORD.com ~ Nov 11, 2016

Borderstone · 11-15-2016, 05:03 AM

But there's still lots to talk about:

• the fact he turns 78 on Thursday, the day of his Kitchener concert: "A good thing. That'll make it special."

• his friendship with Kitchener's Pee Wee Charles, his former steel guitarist: "The most amazing steel player I ever saw, nicest guy and one of my best friends. The beautiful thing about Pee Wee he was always in tune. He had perfect pitch."

• the moment he realized he'd made it: "It may surprise you. It occurred when I wrote 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.' The fact that tragedy occurred probably enhanced my career."

• his unflagging professionalism: "I have to play everything just perfectly. I can't take less of myself. I'm strong, I'm prepared."

• stage fright: "When I'm introducing my musicians, I always get nervous."

• plans for Canada's sesquicentennial: "They've got me booked until the end of 2017. We're gonna stick at it."

Before we finish, I decide to grill him one last time on the question he's scrupulously avoided: the enduring appeal of his songs, the way they manage to encapsulate ...

"The feelings people have," he breaks in, taking the bait. "The emotional trauma and emotional stress people are asked to deal with is astronomical. Hardly anyone ever speaks about it.

"Everybody's got so much of their own to deal with. They have no one to turn to.

"I guess music is one of those things that really lifts people up."

It's not an admission of greatness, but after poking and
prodding for more than an hour, it's as close as I'm gonna get.

Thanks to my lady "For Lovin' ME" ...and sening me that interview!!

11-15-2016, 05:03 AM	#2
Borderstone Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Phoenix,Arizona -America Posts: 4,427	Re: Gordon Intervied for THE RECORD.com ~ Nov 11, 2016 But there's still lots to talk about: • the fact he turns 78 on Thursday, the day of his Kitchener concert: "A good thing. That'll make it special." • his friendship with Kitchener's Pee Wee Charles, his former steel guitarist: "The most amazing steel player I ever saw, nicest guy and one of my best friends. The beautiful thing about Pee Wee he was always in tune. He had perfect pitch." • the moment he realized he'd made it: "It may surprise you. It occurred when I wrote 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.' The fact that tragedy occurred probably enhanced my career." • his unflagging professionalism: "I have to play everything just perfectly. I can't take less of myself. I'm strong, I'm prepared." • stage fright: "When I'm introducing my musicians, I always get nervous." • plans for Canada's sesquicentennial: "They've got me booked until the end of 2017. We're gonna stick at it." Before we finish, I decide to grill him one last time on the question he's scrupulously avoided: the enduring appeal of his songs, the way they manage to encapsulate ... "The feelings people have," he breaks in, taking the bait. "The emotional trauma and emotional stress people are asked to deal with is astronomical. Hardly anyone ever speaks about it. "Everybody's got so much of their own to deal with. They have no one to turn to. "I guess music is one of those things that really lifts people up." It's not an admission of greatness, but after poking and prodding for more than an hour, it's as close as I'm gonna get. Thanks to my lady "For Lovin' ME" ...and sening me that interview!! __________________ "A knight of the road,going back to a place where he might get warm." - Borderstone Last edited by Borderstone; 11-15-2016 at 05:13 AM.