According to CBC News, who cited Gordon Lightfoot’s publicist Victoria Lord, the Canadian singer-songwriter has away at the age of 84. On Monday night, Mr. Lightfoot passed away in a Toronto hospital. It was not immediately clear what caused the death. According to the site, Mr. Lightfoot got his start in music at a very young age, penning his first song, the “Hula Hoop Song,” in 1955. At the time, he was a high school student. By performing at regional music festivals and on local radio, the artist became well-known across Canada.
“One of our finest songwriters has passed away. In a tweet honouring the musician, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote, “Gordon Lightfoot captured our country’s essence in his song and in doing so, he helped build Canada’s soundscape.
We have lost one of our greatest singer-songwriters. Gordon Lightfoot captured our country’s spirit in his music – and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape. May his music continue to inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on forever. To his family,…
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) May 2, 2023
“To his family, friends, and many fans across the country and around the world: I’m keeping you in my thoughts at this difficult time,” he said.
The majority of Mr. Lightfoot’s songs, according to The Guardian, are autobiographical. The Great Lakes ore freighter’s fate was recounted in the 1975 film “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” while the construction of the railway was shown in the 1966 film “Canadian Railroad Trilogy.”
Gordon Lightfoot
“I only base the songs I create on who I am and where I came from. I take situations and compose poetry about them,” he said in an earlier interview, according to the source.
After picking up a guitar for the first time in 1956, he experimented with songwriting in the months that followed.
Also Read : Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian folk musician, dies at age 84.
At the age of 18, Mr. Lightfoot moved to the US to pursue music studies. However, he decided that he didn’t enjoy life in Hollywood and left for Canada. A few years later, he gained popularity on a global scale and inspired several musicians.