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Lightfoot
NATIONAL BESTSELLERA 2023 ROLLING STONE RECOMMENDED BOOKShortlisted for the 2017 Legislative Assembly of Ontario Speaker's Book AwardNominated for the 2018 Heritage Toronto Award - Historical Book“The preeminent account of the late singer's life.” —Rolling StoneThe definitive, full-access story of the life and songs of Canada's legendary troubadourGordon Lightfoot’s name is synonymous with timeless songs about trains and shipwrecks, rivers and highways, lovers and loneliness. His music defined the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and ‘70s, topped charts and sold millions. He is unquestionably Canada’s greatest songwriter, and an international star who has performed on the world’s biggest stages.While Lightfoot’s songs are well known, the man behind them is elusive. He’s never allowed his life to be chronicled in a book—until now.Biographer Nick Jennings has had unprecedented access to the notoriously reticent musician. Lightfoot takes us deep inside the artist’s world, from his idyllic childhood in Orillia, the wild sixties, and his canoe trips into Canada’s North to his heady times atop the music world. Jennings explores the toll that success took on his personal life—including his troubled relationships, his battle with alcohol and his near-death experiences—and the extraordinary drive and tenacity that pulled him through it all.Rich in voices from fellow musicians, close friends, Lightfoot’s family and the singer’s own reminiscences, the biography tells the stories behind some of his best-known love songs, including “Beautiful” and “Song for a Winter’s Night,” as well as the infidelity and divorce that resulted in classics like “Sundown” and “If You Could Read My Mind.” Kris Kristofferson has called Lightfoot’s songs “some of the most beautiful and lasting music of our time.” Lightfoot is an unforgettable portrait of a treasured singer-songwriter, an artist whose work has been covered by everyone from Joni Mitchell, Barbra Streisand and Nico to Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley and Gord Downie. Revealing and insightful, Lightfoot is both an inspiring story of redemption and an exhilarating read.
344 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2017
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459 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
May 6, 2023
During my time living in Canada, Gordon Lightfoot's music was my education in all things "Canadian." I developed a love for his music with zero knowledge that my mum saw him perform in Hobart during '74! Needless to say, I was surprised when this Hobart concert got specific mention in Nicholas Jennings' Lightfoot.
“‘I’ll never forget that,’ says Lightfoot, ‘We played a good show that night and then went gambling until quite late. During our stay, our hosts took us to a natural zoo with all the wonderful marsupials of Australia – every kind of species you could imagine. Duck-billed platypuses, Tasmanian Devils, the whole bit.’”
Worth the read alone.
Jennings had been working on this since 1999, spending years interviewing Lightfoot and compiling many of the sources. It’s a great piece of music journalism and one of the best musician biographies I’ve read. It’s testament to Jennings’ writing and research that he was able to paint such a detailed picture of Lightfoot – someone who has been notoriously reclusive and private. “Lightfoot has never understood why people need to know details about his life.”
There's a huge emphasis on the music - reflecting how it has always been first in life for Gordon. The book's intro was a great example of this. It featured Lightfoot and Bob Dylan holed up in a room with guitars, writing songs, as a wild party took place around them. Lightfoot’s workmanship is portrayed throughout, with him doing 11 albums in 10 years at one point!
I enjoyed learning about the origins of my favourite songs – who would’ve guessed that the cosy, "Song for a Winter’s Night", was written on a hot, sultry Cleveland night? Other fun facts included John Denver crediting "Early Morning Rain" with inspiring his "Leaving On A Jet Plane." I was also amazed to learn "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" was recorded on the first-take and first-time hearing it for the musicians involved. Reading Lightfoot often made me pause and look-up specific songs – I’ve definitely had a Lightfoot binge because of this book.
Jennings paints a beautiful atmosphere. Gordon’s Orillia childhood sounds idyllic and I loved how his mother encouraged his singing from a young age – he made his first recording age 9! I thought Jennings captured the 50s and 60s Toronto imagery well too. Despite Gordon’s songs often depicting nature, I had no idea about his passion for canoeing – these trips gave me an overwhelming urge to explore Canada’s wilderness!
This book, like Gordon, is quintessentially Canadian and “Toronto” - honorary Leafs captain anyone? It got me reminiscing about places mentioned. There’s enough information about Lightfoot’s different houses and points of interest to easily create your own “Gordon Lightfoot’s Tour of Toronto." It was fun to look up these places and imagine the songs written there and parties had. And parties were certainly had - one went for 10 days because “we just couldn’t seem to stop it.” With stories like this, it was inevitable, alcoholism would be a theme - he got caught drink-driving in my old Etobicoke suburb! Yet redemption was also present - including his fitness regime and making amends.
It was inspiring at times, especially Gord's comeback from “being dead” in the early 2000s and 7-week coma experience. His response to later having a stroke: “It was a bit of an inconvenience.” It’s easy to see why this down-to-earth man is one of Canada's most beloved icons. His charity work and performances alone are enough to make you love him. Despite his flaws, Jennings paints him as the kind of friend we all wish we had, or as Ron Sexsmith describes: “I just find his voice very comforting..”
The world is far better for having Gordon Lightfoot’s music. Nicholas Jennings has written the book that Gord always deserved. I enjoyed it immensely. A must-read for Lightfoot fans.
Update May, 2023:
On May 1st, 2023, the Canadian legend left us. He will be missed.
The talented boy from small-town Orillia touched the lives of many around the world with his incredible songs and kindness to fans - myself included.
Rest in peace, mate. Thanks for the music, Gord 🙏🏻
At first, I wasn't sure how to commemorate the life of Gordon Lightfoot - beyond sitting on my bed and giving Sundown a spin. But a couple of days later, I wrote some words. This can be found over at Stereo Stories.
“‘I’ll never forget that,’ says Lightfoot, ‘We played a good show that night and then went gambling until quite late. During our stay, our hosts took us to a natural zoo with all the wonderful marsupials of Australia – every kind of species you could imagine. Duck-billed platypuses, Tasmanian Devils, the whole bit.’”
Worth the read alone.
Jennings had been working on this since 1999, spending years interviewing Lightfoot and compiling many of the sources. It’s a great piece of music journalism and one of the best musician biographies I’ve read. It’s testament to Jennings’ writing and research that he was able to paint such a detailed picture of Lightfoot – someone who has been notoriously reclusive and private. “Lightfoot has never understood why people need to know details about his life.”
There's a huge emphasis on the music - reflecting how it has always been first in life for Gordon. The book's intro was a great example of this. It featured Lightfoot and Bob Dylan holed up in a room with guitars, writing songs, as a wild party took place around them. Lightfoot’s workmanship is portrayed throughout, with him doing 11 albums in 10 years at one point!
I enjoyed learning about the origins of my favourite songs – who would’ve guessed that the cosy, "Song for a Winter’s Night", was written on a hot, sultry Cleveland night? Other fun facts included John Denver crediting "Early Morning Rain" with inspiring his "Leaving On A Jet Plane." I was also amazed to learn "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" was recorded on the first-take and first-time hearing it for the musicians involved. Reading Lightfoot often made me pause and look-up specific songs – I’ve definitely had a Lightfoot binge because of this book.
Jennings paints a beautiful atmosphere. Gordon’s Orillia childhood sounds idyllic and I loved how his mother encouraged his singing from a young age – he made his first recording age 9! I thought Jennings captured the 50s and 60s Toronto imagery well too. Despite Gordon’s songs often depicting nature, I had no idea about his passion for canoeing – these trips gave me an overwhelming urge to explore Canada’s wilderness!
This book, like Gordon, is quintessentially Canadian and “Toronto” - honorary Leafs captain anyone? It got me reminiscing about places mentioned. There’s enough information about Lightfoot’s different houses and points of interest to easily create your own “Gordon Lightfoot’s Tour of Toronto." It was fun to look up these places and imagine the songs written there and parties had. And parties were certainly had - one went for 10 days because “we just couldn’t seem to stop it.” With stories like this, it was inevitable, alcoholism would be a theme - he got caught drink-driving in my old Etobicoke suburb! Yet redemption was also present - including his fitness regime and making amends.
It was inspiring at times, especially Gord's comeback from “being dead” in the early 2000s and 7-week coma experience. His response to later having a stroke: “It was a bit of an inconvenience.” It’s easy to see why this down-to-earth man is one of Canada's most beloved icons. His charity work and performances alone are enough to make you love him. Despite his flaws, Jennings paints him as the kind of friend we all wish we had, or as Ron Sexsmith describes: “I just find his voice very comforting..”
The world is far better for having Gordon Lightfoot’s music. Nicholas Jennings has written the book that Gord always deserved. I enjoyed it immensely. A must-read for Lightfoot fans.
Update May, 2023:
On May 1st, 2023, the Canadian legend left us. He will be missed.
The talented boy from small-town Orillia touched the lives of many around the world with his incredible songs and kindness to fans - myself included.
Rest in peace, mate. Thanks for the music, Gord 🙏🏻
At first, I wasn't sure how to commemorate the life of Gordon Lightfoot - beyond sitting on my bed and giving Sundown a spin. But a couple of days later, I wrote some words. This can be found over at Stereo Stories.
September 13, 2023
Why I chose to read this book:
1. Gordon Lightfoot is a musical icon, and a Canadian to boot! A few years ago, hubby and I watched a documentary based on a biography written in 2017 about this singer/songwriter. I just had to add it to my WTR list and bought a copy a short time later. When Mr. Lightfoot passed away on May 1, 2023 at the age of 84, I knew that I had to pull it off my shelf soon; and,
2. September 2023 is my "Memoirs & Biographies" Month.
Praises:
1. Nicholas Jennings writes a very comprehensive, chronological review of Gordon Lightfoot, from his childhood and early musical training in Orillia, ON, to his rise in fame and stardom as Canada's "legendary troubadour";
2. this book is also an objective look into this man's life, both professionally and personally. Along with his many successes in the music industry, Jennings also shares the dark side of Lightfoot, especially the vicious cycle of riding high on record releases to the downward spiral of binge drinking (which he initially claimed helped him to be a better songwriter!) and numerous adulterous affairs and one-night stands which negatively affected his relationships with loved ones. Lightfoot reveals how, later in life, he has tried to make amends to those he has hurt the most;
3. I enjoyed reading about his professional relationships with other artists, such as Canadian greats Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Joni Mitchell, and Anne Murray, as well as international stars, such as Johnny Cash, Harry Belafonte and Bob Dylan (who was "impacted" by Lightfoot's music);
4. I always appreciate when nonfiction books include various acknowledgements and photos, which this book has plenty of;
5. for a dozen years, Jennings interviewed Lightfoot for this book and includes several snippets of musings that Lightfoot shared; and,
6. some interesting things I learned about Lightfoot:
- every summer, he and some friends would go canoeing or sailing in the Canadian wilderness to reset (read: to quit drinking, get fit, and lose some weight);
- it's astounding as to how many famous singers (e.g. Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, etc.) covered his songs;
- why he refused to sing certain songs later in his career; and,
- how he enthusiastically raised money for various causes at benefit concerts, including headlining in the song Tears Are Not Enough, the Canadian version of the "Band-Aid" song.
Overall Thoughts:
A must-read for fans of folk music and/or Gordon Lightfoot himself!
Lately, I've been humming to myself some of his more popular songs, like: If You Could Read My Mind, Sundown, and Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I was quite surprised when my son-in-law told me that Gordon Lightfoot's songwriting was a topic of study in his high-school English class!
Lightfoot's distinctive singing voice and sensitive songwriting style will be missed. Rest in peace.
1. Gordon Lightfoot is a musical icon, and a Canadian to boot! A few years ago, hubby and I watched a documentary based on a biography written in 2017 about this singer/songwriter. I just had to add it to my WTR list and bought a copy a short time later. When Mr. Lightfoot passed away on May 1, 2023 at the age of 84, I knew that I had to pull it off my shelf soon; and,
2. September 2023 is my "Memoirs & Biographies" Month.
Praises:
1. Nicholas Jennings writes a very comprehensive, chronological review of Gordon Lightfoot, from his childhood and early musical training in Orillia, ON, to his rise in fame and stardom as Canada's "legendary troubadour";
2. this book is also an objective look into this man's life, both professionally and personally. Along with his many successes in the music industry, Jennings also shares the dark side of Lightfoot, especially the vicious cycle of riding high on record releases to the downward spiral of binge drinking (which he initially claimed helped him to be a better songwriter!) and numerous adulterous affairs and one-night stands which negatively affected his relationships with loved ones. Lightfoot reveals how, later in life, he has tried to make amends to those he has hurt the most;
3. I enjoyed reading about his professional relationships with other artists, such as Canadian greats Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Joni Mitchell, and Anne Murray, as well as international stars, such as Johnny Cash, Harry Belafonte and Bob Dylan (who was "impacted" by Lightfoot's music);
4. I always appreciate when nonfiction books include various acknowledgements and photos, which this book has plenty of;
5. for a dozen years, Jennings interviewed Lightfoot for this book and includes several snippets of musings that Lightfoot shared; and,
6. some interesting things I learned about Lightfoot:
- every summer, he and some friends would go canoeing or sailing in the Canadian wilderness to reset (read: to quit drinking, get fit, and lose some weight);
- it's astounding as to how many famous singers (e.g. Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, etc.) covered his songs;
- why he refused to sing certain songs later in his career; and,
- how he enthusiastically raised money for various causes at benefit concerts, including headlining in the song Tears Are Not Enough, the Canadian version of the "Band-Aid" song.
Overall Thoughts:
A must-read for fans of folk music and/or Gordon Lightfoot himself!
Lately, I've been humming to myself some of his more popular songs, like: If You Could Read My Mind, Sundown, and Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I was quite surprised when my son-in-law told me that Gordon Lightfoot's songwriting was a topic of study in his high-school English class!
Lightfoot's distinctive singing voice and sensitive songwriting style will be missed. Rest in peace.
December 19, 2018
Continuing my non fiction quest with a biography of a notable Canadian singer-songwriter. I grew up hearing a lot of Gordon Lightfoot 's music because my Mom was a big fan. After reading this bio, I told her what I learned and she stressed that she loved his music but that she had heard lots about his personality. IMHO, the guy really comes off as an asshole.
Nicholas Jennings spent a dozen years interviewing Lightfoot and the people closest to him. Much like his musical contemporaries -alcohol consumption and adultery were his favorite past times. Overall, I didn't find anything really earth shattering. It was all a bit boring.
September 26, 2017
Review written: September 25, 2017
Star Rating: ★★★½☆
Heat Rating: N/A
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
From the first time I heard The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald on my local country radio station, I loved Lightfoot's music and voice. That's not to say I knew all his songs or that I followed him consistently. But I knew that I loved the stories he sang and I loved the melancholy voice that sang them. So it came as a great surprise to me when I was told some years ago that Lightfoot is not a country artist, but a folk artist.
Today, Carefree Highway is my favorite song of his, followed closely by If You Could Read My Mind and Sundown but the shock was learning that For Loving Me is a Lightfoot song too. And this is why I requested and was so thrilled to get this book from Netgalley. Few songwriters touch me as deeply as Lightfoot and my desire to "know" the songs is deep and keen.
In Lightfoot, there is a delicate balancing act. Lightfoot and many of the principals in his life are alive and can be hurt or impacted by this book. Jennings has clearly been careful in his crafting of this book. Yet he does not shy away from controversial subjects. He maybe minimizes them to some degree. Also, he has been writing this over the course of over a decade. It's a hard undertaking and it's clear that Jennings has worked meticulously on this.
And yet, Lightfoot seems to have taken on the personality traits of its subject. Shy, humble, and socially awkward, Lightfoot comes through in that manner in the book and the book itself often lacks an emotional base. Though it clearly gives me the behind the scenes details and inspiration for some of my favorite songs, it fails to engage my emotions in the way the songs do. That is so Lightfoot, according to Jennings and others.
Ultimately, this book satisfied my curiosity about the songs but I come away from it not really feeling any more connected to Lightfoot for knowing the inspirations. Nor do I feel I understand him any better as a person. I'm sorry for that because I was hoping to get a little more insight, maybe something like if I could read his mind... And yet, except for brief flashes, I never could. It's a fairly cold recitation.
On the flip side, this book is a treasure trove of names and an amazing behind-the-scenes look at the music scene in the 1960s and 1970s. People, places, musical styles, the intersection of music and TV are all discussed here via Lightfoot's career. And what a career it is too! I had to look up some of the people mentioned because I had never heard of them. So there is no doubt Lightfoot broadened my understanding of folk music and music in general.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this glimpse into the life of an amazing songwriter and singer. And my life is the richer for it just as it is the richer for experiencing his songs.
This review is ©September 2017 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
Star Rating: ★★★½☆
Heat Rating: N/A
An Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book was received free via Netgalley for an honest review.
From the first time I heard The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald on my local country radio station, I loved Lightfoot's music and voice. That's not to say I knew all his songs or that I followed him consistently. But I knew that I loved the stories he sang and I loved the melancholy voice that sang them. So it came as a great surprise to me when I was told some years ago that Lightfoot is not a country artist, but a folk artist.
Today, Carefree Highway is my favorite song of his, followed closely by If You Could Read My Mind and Sundown but the shock was learning that For Loving Me is a Lightfoot song too. And this is why I requested and was so thrilled to get this book from Netgalley. Few songwriters touch me as deeply as Lightfoot and my desire to "know" the songs is deep and keen.
In Lightfoot, there is a delicate balancing act. Lightfoot and many of the principals in his life are alive and can be hurt or impacted by this book. Jennings has clearly been careful in his crafting of this book. Yet he does not shy away from controversial subjects. He maybe minimizes them to some degree. Also, he has been writing this over the course of over a decade. It's a hard undertaking and it's clear that Jennings has worked meticulously on this.
And yet, Lightfoot seems to have taken on the personality traits of its subject. Shy, humble, and socially awkward, Lightfoot comes through in that manner in the book and the book itself often lacks an emotional base. Though it clearly gives me the behind the scenes details and inspiration for some of my favorite songs, it fails to engage my emotions in the way the songs do. That is so Lightfoot, according to Jennings and others.
Ultimately, this book satisfied my curiosity about the songs but I come away from it not really feeling any more connected to Lightfoot for knowing the inspirations. Nor do I feel I understand him any better as a person. I'm sorry for that because I was hoping to get a little more insight, maybe something like if I could read his mind... And yet, except for brief flashes, I never could. It's a fairly cold recitation.
On the flip side, this book is a treasure trove of names and an amazing behind-the-scenes look at the music scene in the 1960s and 1970s. People, places, musical styles, the intersection of music and TV are all discussed here via Lightfoot's career. And what a career it is too! I had to look up some of the people mentioned because I had never heard of them. So there is no doubt Lightfoot broadened my understanding of folk music and music in general.
Ultimately, I enjoyed this glimpse into the life of an amazing songwriter and singer. And my life is the richer for it just as it is the richer for experiencing his songs.
This review is ©September 2017 by Monique N. and has been posted to Netgalley.
January 27, 2021
I love Gordon Lightfoot, so I knew I was going to enjoy this book. His music is the soundtrack of my childhood as the radio was always on at our house, and his eloquently melancholy lyrics speak to my soul in a way that few other songs and artists do. I love his historical ballads and the reverence he has for Canadian history, and the way his songs cover so many different aspects of the human condition. Gordon Lightfoot shies away from publicity and rarely gives interviews, so this book was quite a treat to read. Some reviewers have said he comes across as an arrogant jerk, but I didn't feel that at all. He is a shy introvert whose passion and gifts put him in the spotlight in a way that is very draining for him, and many of his struggles have stemmed from that. My introvert self can relate to that. It was painful to read about his alcoholism and relationship troubles, and the guilt that he feels about the way he treated his first wife and children. The details about his inspiration for various songs and his song writing process are fascinating. I have been going around humming his songs for days. This is probably as thorough a biography as we will ever get of this reticent man who really doesn't see himself as special and doesn't see what the fuss is about. Kudos to the author for putting together a pretty complete, sensitive and balanced biography of a complicated man. Four and a half stars, rounded up to five because I just love Gordon Lightfoot.
October 7, 2017
I love this guy! I love 60's folk music. I had been looking for a complete bio on Lightfoot. So when I saw this book was coming out I pre-ordered a copy. I was not disappointed. Was he a perfect person? No. He had his faults. But his music is so honest and open. Be warned, at least half the book is about his music, so if you are not familiar with him you may find the book a little boring, but I enjoyed reading how my favorite songs came about.
December 12, 2023
I enjoy Gordon Lightfoot’s music, and I have thought for many years that he was an excellent poet (love his lyrics). He died this year, so I read this biography. It was nicely done and full of details.
September 1, 2017
Lightfoot is an interesting biography about an incredible singer/songwriter who is dealing with his own demons. Jennings has written a thought provoking biography behind the elusive artist.
At times, his life is quite idyllic but he seems somewhat removed from the populace. He found fame though he never really wanted fame. I guess to put it into simpler terms is that he has a gift that he wanted to share with the world but did not want the fame that came along with it. This seemed to be the catalyst that would destroy his relationships and give rise to his inner personal demons.
The book does seem guarded at times and I can imagine that Jennings had to work around a subject that at times was not totally forthcoming and this does come across within the pages. Chapters seemed to be a bit flushed out to over compensate this and there never really seems to be any acceptance of responsibility but then again, this is not a work of fiction but a biography. When dealing with a real life person, you get the real person and there is not always going to be the closure that one would get with fiction.
Gordon Lightfoot, is a very private man and this will probably be as open as he will ever get. Jennings has done a fantastic job in getting the real person coaxed out into the open world and onto the page. This is a definite read for fans of Lightfoot and his music.
I know of his music but I knew very little of the artist behind the work. This was an enjoyable and informative read for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it though it did leave me a bit cold but this is more down to the subject than of the writer. This is a solid four star book for me.
At times, his life is quite idyllic but he seems somewhat removed from the populace. He found fame though he never really wanted fame. I guess to put it into simpler terms is that he has a gift that he wanted to share with the world but did not want the fame that came along with it. This seemed to be the catalyst that would destroy his relationships and give rise to his inner personal demons.
The book does seem guarded at times and I can imagine that Jennings had to work around a subject that at times was not totally forthcoming and this does come across within the pages. Chapters seemed to be a bit flushed out to over compensate this and there never really seems to be any acceptance of responsibility but then again, this is not a work of fiction but a biography. When dealing with a real life person, you get the real person and there is not always going to be the closure that one would get with fiction.
Gordon Lightfoot, is a very private man and this will probably be as open as he will ever get. Jennings has done a fantastic job in getting the real person coaxed out into the open world and onto the page. This is a definite read for fans of Lightfoot and his music.
I know of his music but I knew very little of the artist behind the work. This was an enjoyable and informative read for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it though it did leave me a bit cold but this is more down to the subject than of the writer. This is a solid four star book for me.
September 14, 2019
This is one of the most comprehensive and technically accurate biographies I have ever read. Over the course of 12 years in making, detailed research and regular interviews with Lightfoot, the author has created a wonderful account of Lightfoot's life from a well informed and unbiased perspective. The book is written such that his life experiences flow not only chronologically but in a story fashion so that we the readers can feel a strong personal bond to him and can understand how life has unfolded for him. Hats off to the writing of one excellent book!
May 13, 2017
A tale of music, loss, love, writing, and 60s/70s Toronto. Great read. I grew up listening to Gordon Lightfoot and when I saw this book I was immediately interested in reading it. I did not expect it to be such a page turner.
Found it hard to put this down once I started and I ended up putting on Songbook to listen to while I read. It was so interesting to read the stories behind Lightfoot's beautiful songs.
Found it hard to put this down once I started and I ended up putting on Songbook to listen to while I read. It was so interesting to read the stories behind Lightfoot's beautiful songs.
June 22, 2018
I loved this book. His songs really come from his giant heart and I am listening to them now concentrating on the words and knowing, in some cases, where he was in his life at the time of writing. Look at all the research he did on the “Edmund Fitzgerald” in order to properly honour those who were lost and their families. What a big heart and with a mind and heart like his, come the demons. An ordinary Jane like myself could never write songs or words like that. Brilliant. It really touched me.
May 10, 2018
For someone (like me) who loves his music, Lightfoot was a wonderful treat. Gordon grew up in an era when a superstar could still hide from the spotlight so even though I grew up during the height of his fame I never really knew much about him. He never sought the spotlight so it never found him. I was never very curious about him, I loved his music and I didn't need to know his personal life. But when I saw this book I couldn't help but be drawn to it. I can't count the number of songs from him that I love. I recently bought his "box set" called Songbook and I am amazed at the quality of all 88 songs.
This book was so enjoyable for me. Now, I see some of the reviews saying "he comes across as unlikable" but I 100% disagree. He comes across as a human who wasn't perfect but did so much good, was so loving and loyal to his friends, and in the end became a better version of himself, he was constantly improving. Few of us can say we lived a life like that. Yes he had affairs and drank too much early in his career (hitting a low point in the early 80's), but if you keep reading you see how he turned it around and put cheating and drinking behind him. Yes he could be short tempered, but if you read carefully you can see a lot of this was due to anxiety not due to meanness.
I would agree this book drags a bit at the end and there are not a lot of WOW stories, but you can't blame the man for not living a WOW life. This book, like the man, lets the songs speak for themselves. While there aren't many WOW stories there are heart warming stories and insightful stories of the singer/songwriter who means so much to Canada and the world. I ended this book with even more respect for this man whose songs have entertained me over the years. This book is for his fans. If you are one of those millions of people - you'll enjoy this book.
This book was so enjoyable for me. Now, I see some of the reviews saying "he comes across as unlikable" but I 100% disagree. He comes across as a human who wasn't perfect but did so much good, was so loving and loyal to his friends, and in the end became a better version of himself, he was constantly improving. Few of us can say we lived a life like that. Yes he had affairs and drank too much early in his career (hitting a low point in the early 80's), but if you keep reading you see how he turned it around and put cheating and drinking behind him. Yes he could be short tempered, but if you read carefully you can see a lot of this was due to anxiety not due to meanness.
I would agree this book drags a bit at the end and there are not a lot of WOW stories, but you can't blame the man for not living a WOW life. This book, like the man, lets the songs speak for themselves. While there aren't many WOW stories there are heart warming stories and insightful stories of the singer/songwriter who means so much to Canada and the world. I ended this book with even more respect for this man whose songs have entertained me over the years. This book is for his fans. If you are one of those millions of people - you'll enjoy this book.
October 20, 2017
I started listening to Gordon Lightfoot while I was in high school--gorgeous voice and loved the emotional impact of his songs. Later after my family moved to Madison, WI I had the opportunity to see him in concert a number of times and I pretty much went whenever he was in town so yes, I am a fan. Enjoyed this book a lot, as there was so much I didn't know about him personally and about his music. If you are in to singer/songwriters I highly recommend both this book and his music.
January 31, 2018
Wow - what a complex man. This was a very interesting book about an ordinary young Canadian who became an extraordinary singer/songwriter.
Nicholas Jennings has written about the artist that we admired and that man who was a sad and kind of lonely person. The insight into Gordon Lightfoot's life - his loves and his work - is fascinating.
I highly recommend this book.
Nicholas Jennings has written about the artist that we admired and that man who was a sad and kind of lonely person. The insight into Gordon Lightfoot's life - his loves and his work - is fascinating.
I highly recommend this book.
August 27, 2017
A GoodReads GiveAway
I picked up this book and sat down and read it. Simple as that. Reading it was like stepping back in time fifty years and then playing fast-forward to today with scraps of the soundtrack of life skipping along in the background.
Ah, memories, Gord b'y!
I picked up this book and sat down and read it. Simple as that. Reading it was like stepping back in time fifty years and then playing fast-forward to today with scraps of the soundtrack of life skipping along in the background.
Ah, memories, Gord b'y!
September 18, 2017
Loved this!! A must-read for any Lightfoot Lover! :)
November 29, 2017
A must read for any fan of Gordon Lightfoot. A rare look behind the scenes of a true Canadian Legend. Well written.
August 30, 2024
Saw gord perform on my honeymoon in 2022. Wish I would've read this book before- what a life!
October 17, 2018
[More about the Lightfoot bio cam be found at my webpage, https://tbdeluxe.blogspot.com/2018/10/gordon-lightfoot-music-of-song.html Thanks!]
Gordon Lightfoot is one of my favorite musicians in the world (and I got Bob Dylan backing me on that one, so neener neener to all you Lightfoot naysayers.) I can hum something from far deep in his huge catalog and people will ask, "That's a Gordon Lightfoot song, right?"
That said, Nicholas Jennings bio of the legendary songwriter is interesting and full of detail but it's workmanlike at best. Lightfoot's life and career seem to follow the same pattern that every pop star follow (though in Lightfoot's case it took him a little longer): Early struggles, success, the multitude of temptations, divorces, affairs, addiction (alcohol), a falling off in popularity, ending with a resurgence in later years.
One thing surprising for me was the enormous respect Lightfoot always had from his fellow songsters--not just Dylan but *everybody* unlike the critical conscendi (i.e., Rolling Stone) who stared down their noses at Lightfoot's work, deriding him for not being . . . well, for not being Bob Dylan. There's something about being a master of melody that ticks certain people off, I guess. For me, Lightfoot is one with the songwriters of the past: the Brill Building, Tin Pan Alley, all the way back to Cole Porter!
Another surprising facet of the book is that Gordon comes off as a much better person than years of rumors and random anecdotes had led me to expect. His famous prickly manner seems more a symptom of deep shyness than any meanness or ego (just ask any shy person and they'll tell you). It seems petty to complain that he's a bad interview. His music does all the talking, as it should.
I especially found his loyalty and kindness to his bandmates, family and associates touching. Whatever mistakes he's made, he seems a man full of honest regret. He's also performed countless acts of public altruism and activism without a touch of grandstanding or moral vanity. A loyal Canadian, he's used his success well.
But all of that is secondary, because it's all about the music, right? I wish there was more about it in Jennings' bio. The book makes a good case for Lightfoot's songs being more personal and introspective than he's given credit for. He's also an intense researcher, attuned to the facts of any subjects he tackles, even changing the lyrics later on. But the book pretty much leaves it there.
God granted him the gift of melody, but Lightfoot was a trained orchestrator and he used it well, really well. I think of some of his albums as "symphonies for guitar" in how he welds them all together with the high notes at the top, the bass at the bottom and his baritone soaring and booming up the middle. The book touches only briefly on the actual recording sessions (most interesting was the fact that his two greatest hits "Sundown" and "Edmund Fitzgerald" were each done in one take!)
This is a good book for Lightfoot fans. As for the rest of you tune up your ears. You'll be amazed.
Gordon Lightfoot is one of my favorite musicians in the world (and I got Bob Dylan backing me on that one, so neener neener to all you Lightfoot naysayers.) I can hum something from far deep in his huge catalog and people will ask, "That's a Gordon Lightfoot song, right?"
That said, Nicholas Jennings bio of the legendary songwriter is interesting and full of detail but it's workmanlike at best. Lightfoot's life and career seem to follow the same pattern that every pop star follow (though in Lightfoot's case it took him a little longer): Early struggles, success, the multitude of temptations, divorces, affairs, addiction (alcohol), a falling off in popularity, ending with a resurgence in later years.
One thing surprising for me was the enormous respect Lightfoot always had from his fellow songsters--not just Dylan but *everybody* unlike the critical conscendi (i.e., Rolling Stone) who stared down their noses at Lightfoot's work, deriding him for not being . . . well, for not being Bob Dylan. There's something about being a master of melody that ticks certain people off, I guess. For me, Lightfoot is one with the songwriters of the past: the Brill Building, Tin Pan Alley, all the way back to Cole Porter!
Another surprising facet of the book is that Gordon comes off as a much better person than years of rumors and random anecdotes had led me to expect. His famous prickly manner seems more a symptom of deep shyness than any meanness or ego (just ask any shy person and they'll tell you). It seems petty to complain that he's a bad interview. His music does all the talking, as it should.
I especially found his loyalty and kindness to his bandmates, family and associates touching. Whatever mistakes he's made, he seems a man full of honest regret. He's also performed countless acts of public altruism and activism without a touch of grandstanding or moral vanity. A loyal Canadian, he's used his success well.
But all of that is secondary, because it's all about the music, right? I wish there was more about it in Jennings' bio. The book makes a good case for Lightfoot's songs being more personal and introspective than he's given credit for. He's also an intense researcher, attuned to the facts of any subjects he tackles, even changing the lyrics later on. But the book pretty much leaves it there.
God granted him the gift of melody, but Lightfoot was a trained orchestrator and he used it well, really well. I think of some of his albums as "symphonies for guitar" in how he welds them all together with the high notes at the top, the bass at the bottom and his baritone soaring and booming up the middle. The book touches only briefly on the actual recording sessions (most interesting was the fact that his two greatest hits "Sundown" and "Edmund Fitzgerald" were each done in one take!)
This is a good book for Lightfoot fans. As for the rest of you tune up your ears. You'll be amazed.
January 16, 2018
I very much enjoyed reading this book, although I was disappointed in the writing style, which I found by turns to be lacking in detail and naive.
The chapters covering his early life failed to answer basic questions like how he learned to play guitar, although we do read that he, quite by accident, is required to teach himself how to play the drums. Jennings also comments, upon Lightfoot and his friend's acceptance to Westlake College of Modern Music in Hollywood, 'Why two kids from Orillia were granted admission in the same year is anyone's guess, but Lightfoot didn't question it'. Why would he have? He applied and was accepted. As to why two kids from Orillia were accepted in the same year, what is Jennings saying? Was there a limit as to how many kids could be accepted to the college from the same Canadian town? If you're not going to explain your comment, don't make it. There are quite a few comments like this in the book, which Jennings doesn't explain.
As for the rather naive style, as an example, when referring to an encounter between Lightfoot and Gale Garnett, he writes that she and Lightfoot slept together. Who writes that way? How about 'they had an intimate encounter', 'they had a one night stand'? I don't know, but slept together sort of sounds like they had a sleepover. The whole book seemed to be going out of the way to not be insulting.
And then there were the instances where Jennings seemed to think the reader didn't know anything. When referring to Getty Lee, he put in brackets after his name [of Rush]. I think if the reader knows who Lightfoot is, they know who the lead singer of Rush is. There are other instances where I felt slightly insulted by his explanations of the obvious. Maybe these incidents of added detail were for the benefit of American readers, but I found it annoying.
As far as Lightfoot the man is concerned, nothing too shocking about his personal life, but all very interesting. He was no better or worse than many entertainers at that time, or this time for that matter. It's a tough life, if you enjoy performing on the road, I am sure. I was very impressed with the number of songs he wrote and albums he produced after his hay day and all the places he performed in, as well as the other singer/song-writers he knew, sang with, and who recorded his songs. I had no idea he had been so continually active since the days of 'Sundown'.
All in all, an easy read, and perfect for a few cold winter's days.
The chapters covering his early life failed to answer basic questions like how he learned to play guitar, although we do read that he, quite by accident, is required to teach himself how to play the drums. Jennings also comments, upon Lightfoot and his friend's acceptance to Westlake College of Modern Music in Hollywood, 'Why two kids from Orillia were granted admission in the same year is anyone's guess, but Lightfoot didn't question it'. Why would he have? He applied and was accepted. As to why two kids from Orillia were accepted in the same year, what is Jennings saying? Was there a limit as to how many kids could be accepted to the college from the same Canadian town? If you're not going to explain your comment, don't make it. There are quite a few comments like this in the book, which Jennings doesn't explain.
As for the rather naive style, as an example, when referring to an encounter between Lightfoot and Gale Garnett, he writes that she and Lightfoot slept together. Who writes that way? How about 'they had an intimate encounter', 'they had a one night stand'? I don't know, but slept together sort of sounds like they had a sleepover. The whole book seemed to be going out of the way to not be insulting.
And then there were the instances where Jennings seemed to think the reader didn't know anything. When referring to Getty Lee, he put in brackets after his name [of Rush]. I think if the reader knows who Lightfoot is, they know who the lead singer of Rush is. There are other instances where I felt slightly insulted by his explanations of the obvious. Maybe these incidents of added detail were for the benefit of American readers, but I found it annoying.
As far as Lightfoot the man is concerned, nothing too shocking about his personal life, but all very interesting. He was no better or worse than many entertainers at that time, or this time for that matter. It's a tough life, if you enjoy performing on the road, I am sure. I was very impressed with the number of songs he wrote and albums he produced after his hay day and all the places he performed in, as well as the other singer/song-writers he knew, sang with, and who recorded his songs. I had no idea he had been so continually active since the days of 'Sundown'.
All in all, an easy read, and perfect for a few cold winter's days.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2017
In Lightfoot, Nicholas Jennings explores the life of Canadian singer Gordon Lightfoot in a somewhat interesting manner. It's a bit hard to get excited about this biography, though, since Mr. Lightfoot is a private, low-key individual who tends to reveal most of his deepest feelings only in songs. Hence, the more I read, the more I just wanted to listen to his music and not continue reading about his life.
That's not to be negative about the writing of this book, however. Mr. Jennings did a good job with what he had to work with. But unless you are a big fan of Gordon Lightfoot, or are highly interested in the music scene during the years he was most active, this biography may not keep you captivated until the end. By the time I got to the end, I knew a lot more about Gordon Lightfoot than I did when I started reading, but still felt like I had little knowledge of what made him tick.
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.)
That's not to be negative about the writing of this book, however. Mr. Jennings did a good job with what he had to work with. But unless you are a big fan of Gordon Lightfoot, or are highly interested in the music scene during the years he was most active, this biography may not keep you captivated until the end. By the time I got to the end, I knew a lot more about Gordon Lightfoot than I did when I started reading, but still felt like I had little knowledge of what made him tick.
(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.)
December 14, 2017
This was great, a full biography of one of my favorite musicians and story-tellers. I enjoyed the way that author Nicholas Jennings was able to get the notoriously reticent Lightfoot to participate in the process. While I was already familiar (as most fans are) of the competition between Lightfoot and Dylan the additional details on their various meetings was fascinating. Jennings has done a fine job of exposing Lightfoot’s well known difficulties without going all “Kitty Kelley” on his subject. While Gordon Lightfoot still doesn’t garner the mass public interest that Neil Young or Leonard Cohen have Jennings' biography clearly puts the musician in the center of the folk and singer-songwriter genre. This is IMHO one of the best musician biographies since Guralnick’s work on Elvis or the more recent Dreams to Remember: Otis Redding, Stax Records, and the Transformation of Southern Soul.
December 4, 2017
Whether you are a fan or not (and how could you not be), Lightfoot is a fascinating book about the life of Gordon Lightfoot, his triumphs, his weakness, his kindness, and a career that is and has been outstanding.
You see another side of Gord, that is probably not quite true , as he is a very private and humble man, so really we have only seen the one side of him til now.
A great read and I book I will talk about it for a long time
You see another side of Gord, that is probably not quite true , as he is a very private and humble man, so really we have only seen the one side of him til now.
A great read and I book I will talk about it for a long time
October 15, 2017
Lightfoot is very much the Canadian version of so many rock and folk legend biographies. It has the adultery and alcohol abuse you'd come to expect, but without the harrowing self-destruction of so many of his contemporaries. In the end, it's the story of a deeply flawed, but a remarkably talented and nice small-town boy made good.
May 26, 2023
An interesting read (though just average writing) about the progression of Lightfoot's skill as a songwriter and as a performer, and his general reluctance and discomfort being 'a celebrity', and all that comes with that, including interviews, talking about himself, accepting accolades and making banter with an audience.
He followed his dream. He was creatively driven and that had a steep price - personal heartbreak, loss and loneliness. You learn how he coped. You learn about his regret for some things and his need for atonement in his later years. You come to understand that his driving force was a deep passion, an ambition, for creating good music. He prevailed and he paid. We, in turn, have been rewarded with pure poetry, touching - sometimes haunting - ballads and beautiful melodies. An enormous, exceptional body of work. Lucky us.
He followed his dream. He was creatively driven and that had a steep price - personal heartbreak, loss and loneliness. You learn how he coped. You learn about his regret for some things and his need for atonement in his later years. You come to understand that his driving force was a deep passion, an ambition, for creating good music. He prevailed and he paid. We, in turn, have been rewarded with pure poetry, touching - sometimes haunting - ballads and beautiful melodies. An enormous, exceptional body of work. Lucky us.
May 2, 2022
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian national treasure – a icon in the folk / country music genre so when I saw that this book on the life and times of Gordon Lightfoot, I had to get it –‘if you could read his mind what a tale his thoughts would tell’ and this is what this book proceeds to deliver.
Canada managed to deliver many outstanding folk artists in the sixties. Ian and Sylvia Tyson started the parade followed by Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and even Neil Young before he shifted lanes over to the folk-rock arena.
Pages in this book are spent discussing his song-writing, unwavering loyalty, perfectionism and selfless generosity to the people and causes close to his heart. To read this book is to come away with a greater understanding of how a young choirboy from Orillia became one of Canada’s most revered songwriters and performers, and beloved among music fans around the world and across genres.
'Lightfoot' proceeds chronologically after an introduction recounting the nights Bob Dylan brought his Rolling Thunder Review to Toronto in 1975. The intro says a great deal about both songwriters and their relationship as artists and competitors. Dylan was Lightfoot’s pace horse; they were close friends respecting each other’s song-writing skills and talent. Regrets, Gordy had a few and through it all, he still standing and performing. The last page tells it best:
“In Canada, Lightfoot’s status has grown to mythic proportions. No other work by a cultural figure has become so intrinsically linked with Canadian history, landscape and nationhood has Lightfoot with his songs. Whether capturing the majesty of Canada’s outdoors, the thrill of the Rockies, the breathtaking power of the Great Lakes or the teardrops and toil of building the ‘iron road running from the sea to the sea,” his music is pure Canadiana. With the painter’s eye for landscape, a poet taste for romance and a historian allegiance to accuracy, Lightfoot has inspired comparisons to many Canadian icons but his indelible melodies and vivid storytelling have made him, perhaps, the most Canadian icon of all.
My favorite Lightfoot song – “In the early morning rain” probably followed by “Song for a Winter’s Night”
Canada managed to deliver many outstanding folk artists in the sixties. Ian and Sylvia Tyson started the parade followed by Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and even Neil Young before he shifted lanes over to the folk-rock arena.
Pages in this book are spent discussing his song-writing, unwavering loyalty, perfectionism and selfless generosity to the people and causes close to his heart. To read this book is to come away with a greater understanding of how a young choirboy from Orillia became one of Canada’s most revered songwriters and performers, and beloved among music fans around the world and across genres.
'Lightfoot' proceeds chronologically after an introduction recounting the nights Bob Dylan brought his Rolling Thunder Review to Toronto in 1975. The intro says a great deal about both songwriters and their relationship as artists and competitors. Dylan was Lightfoot’s pace horse; they were close friends respecting each other’s song-writing skills and talent. Regrets, Gordy had a few and through it all, he still standing and performing. The last page tells it best:
“In Canada, Lightfoot’s status has grown to mythic proportions. No other work by a cultural figure has become so intrinsically linked with Canadian history, landscape and nationhood has Lightfoot with his songs. Whether capturing the majesty of Canada’s outdoors, the thrill of the Rockies, the breathtaking power of the Great Lakes or the teardrops and toil of building the ‘iron road running from the sea to the sea,” his music is pure Canadiana. With the painter’s eye for landscape, a poet taste for romance and a historian allegiance to accuracy, Lightfoot has inspired comparisons to many Canadian icons but his indelible melodies and vivid storytelling have made him, perhaps, the most Canadian icon of all.
My favorite Lightfoot song – “In the early morning rain” probably followed by “Song for a Winter’s Night”
September 2, 2017
*I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway*
Given that I moved to Canada about 18 months ago, I saw the giveaway for this and figured I should read up on one of Canada's most iconic music legends.
The book was interesting, but the first half was way too slow. And repetitive. It goes through the 60's and 70's in the same fashion, recounting Gordon's music successes, the number of records sold, concerts played etc. It also makes Lightfoot out to be a bit of an asshole. It's contrasted nicely with Lightfoot's lighter more humble side, but the bits that make him look less than stellar have a particular sting to them.
And., at one point I found the biographer getting a bit of his own smugness in when he mentioned a few other Gordon Lightfoot biographies that were slated, but never made it to publication. That felt kind of like a "haha I'm better than them" kind of moment which was unneccessary.
The second half picks up nicely as you go through the 80's to present, mostly because it shows a more personal side of Gordon Lightfoot. He gives up drinking, tries to repair his relationship with his children, goes through some medical crises, seems to find love again, (and loses, and finds it again) , and finally seems to accept that he is worthy of the fame and accolades to he has recieved over the years.
I wish that the book had more quotes of Gordon's. I would be highly interested in reading a book penned by Lightfoot himself, but given his private nature I would imagine that's not at all likely to happen.
This is a very thorough documentation of Gordon Lightfoot's life and accomplishments.
Given that I moved to Canada about 18 months ago, I saw the giveaway for this and figured I should read up on one of Canada's most iconic music legends.
The book was interesting, but the first half was way too slow. And repetitive. It goes through the 60's and 70's in the same fashion, recounting Gordon's music successes, the number of records sold, concerts played etc. It also makes Lightfoot out to be a bit of an asshole. It's contrasted nicely with Lightfoot's lighter more humble side, but the bits that make him look less than stellar have a particular sting to them.
And., at one point I found the biographer getting a bit of his own smugness in when he mentioned a few other Gordon Lightfoot biographies that were slated, but never made it to publication. That felt kind of like a "haha I'm better than them" kind of moment which was unneccessary.
The second half picks up nicely as you go through the 80's to present, mostly because it shows a more personal side of Gordon Lightfoot. He gives up drinking, tries to repair his relationship with his children, goes through some medical crises, seems to find love again, (and loses, and finds it again) , and finally seems to accept that he is worthy of the fame and accolades to he has recieved over the years.
I wish that the book had more quotes of Gordon's. I would be highly interested in reading a book penned by Lightfoot himself, but given his private nature I would imagine that's not at all likely to happen.
This is a very thorough documentation of Gordon Lightfoot's life and accomplishments.
January 3, 2020
Audio version, narrated by the author.
This is a straightforward biography, written - and narrated - simply and plainly. Jennings is serviceable as a narrator but is somewhat monotone-ish in his delivery. He gets a bit more expressive towards the end but by then I was used to it.
The reader won't find any salacious bits of information about Lightfoot, nor are there scandalous secrets uncovered. The life of Lightfoot is that of many musicians who found fame in the 1960s and 70s. Lots of alcohol, parties, and broken relationships. Lightfoot wasn't any better or worse in that respect.
What stood out for me in this book was just the sheer amount of talent coming up at that time: Joni Mitchell, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Dylan, Joplin, Hendrix...the list goes on and on. They were all contemporaries, all just starting out (or still early in their careers) and how they were all in each other's orbit, just sharing songs and music, is amazing in retrospect. It might come as news to many casual Lightfoot listeners that he was immersed with this same crowd at the same time. Perhaps for us we tend to think of Lightfoot more as a seventies musician, not knowing about his start at the same time as other musicians we do associate with the 60s.
I'd say if you're a dedicated Lightfoot fan you won't find anything new here. But for me, it was a good introduction to his life, musical evolution, and the influences he had on his career (as well as how he influenced other musicians across musical genres).
This is a straightforward biography, written - and narrated - simply and plainly. Jennings is serviceable as a narrator but is somewhat monotone-ish in his delivery. He gets a bit more expressive towards the end but by then I was used to it.
The reader won't find any salacious bits of information about Lightfoot, nor are there scandalous secrets uncovered. The life of Lightfoot is that of many musicians who found fame in the 1960s and 70s. Lots of alcohol, parties, and broken relationships. Lightfoot wasn't any better or worse in that respect.
What stood out for me in this book was just the sheer amount of talent coming up at that time: Joni Mitchell, Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Dylan, Joplin, Hendrix...the list goes on and on. They were all contemporaries, all just starting out (or still early in their careers) and how they were all in each other's orbit, just sharing songs and music, is amazing in retrospect. It might come as news to many casual Lightfoot listeners that he was immersed with this same crowd at the same time. Perhaps for us we tend to think of Lightfoot more as a seventies musician, not knowing about his start at the same time as other musicians we do associate with the 60s.
I'd say if you're a dedicated Lightfoot fan you won't find anything new here. But for me, it was a good introduction to his life, musical evolution, and the influences he had on his career (as well as how he influenced other musicians across musical genres).
November 15, 2017
I find the book well written, informative (learning the source of/meaning of songs), and interesting but I do wish that Nicholas Jennings had included the years that each chapter covered, along with the chapter title, and/or referenced the years more so in each chapter. I found myself constantly flipping backwards and forwards trying to figure out what year he was referring to. Phrases like or similar to: later that year, the following year, by year's end, the previous year......left me frustrated and endlessly page shuffling to discover what year he was talking about. I recall a lot of the bad behaviour during the Massey Hall concerts that the author refers to, and other stories "about town". On a more positive note, in the mid-70s, I recall Gordon leaving the stage momentarily, going backstage, and returning with a sleepy nighty-clad daughter in his arms. That was sweet beyond words.
Gordon's songs and music have held both solace and strength for me over the years. His songbook is the soundtrack to my life.
A true Lightfoot fan, I've been attending the Massey Hall concerts since the mid-70s. I have been a Gordon Lightfoot fan for FIFTY years. From age fifteen onwards....
Gordon's songs and music have held both solace and strength for me over the years. His songbook is the soundtrack to my life.
A true Lightfoot fan, I've been attending the Massey Hall concerts since the mid-70s. I have been a Gordon Lightfoot fan for FIFTY years. From age fifteen onwards....
December 19, 2018
As a long time fan of Gordon Lightfoot I found this straight forward biography interesting for its details of Lightfoot's early days of singing in choirs, dancing on the CBC and befriending Ian and Sylvia who drew attention to his songs. But the path to success came at a steep personal price with Lightfoot abusing alcohol, womanizing and being an absentee father. But throughout it all he remained true to his roots of telling a story through song. His style seldom changed and his fans still flocked to his annual string of concerts at Massey Hall and on the road. His method of drying out prior to a concert tour was to take an arduous, multi-week canoe trip along one of Canada's many wilderness rivers. Yet, once back in shape he'd embark on another destructive cycle of abuse. Now in his 70s, Lightfoot seems to have found some measure of peace and a better relationship with his adult children and still checks into Massey Hall each year.
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