Canadian musician Jim Cuddy reflects on Gordon Lightfoot's legacy

Canadian singer-songwriter and Blue Rodeo co-founder Jim Cuddy remembers Gordon Lightfoot as a singular performer and a writer of 'perfect songs.'
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[@jazzkeysterry8608]

There was a time in this fair land when the railroad did not run, and the wild majestic mountains stood alone against the sun. RIP Gordon . we've lost a national treasure here in Canada. Thank you for healing our hearts and teaching us wonderful poetry.

[@skeletonshorror5184]

RIP to one of the greatest songwriters of our time 💔

[@janmacdonald1547]

Godspeed Gordon. Your class, your humility, your Canadian pride and your genius will live on. Thank you for the music and the memories. You always said you wanted to leave a 'clean campsite' when you left us. Mission accomplished. You did the work you loved and were surrounded by your loyal and staunch fans to the very end. Our hearts are broken and the world was your stage.

[@als1023]

Excellent comment , thanks for posting !! Every campground across the country will echo with Lightfoot classics , this year. A True Canadian Legend.

[@jamierae-7015]

We will never see his like again...musical genius...🇨🇦🙏

[@cynthiablandford6213]

A Canadian treasure ❤🕯🇨🇦🇨🇦 Thank you for sharing your beautiful musical gift!

[@margaretwood1255]

Thanks for the lovely words about our Gordon. Jim Cuddy, another class act. Iconic Canadians, and role models for the rest of us. Godspeed Gordon, and thanks, Jim, for your wonderful music too!

[@guybuckhannon]

I've often quipped to music pals, that if you don't like Gordon Lightfoot, we can't be friends, so glad I got to see him twice in concert-

[@mikeb5664]

Legend. RIP Gordon Lightfoot.

[@user-it4qf2vc3d]

My graduation year from Ryerson was 1964. During 1962 & 1963 we would toss coins into Gordon's guitar case at the RiverBoat Lounge in Yorkville. Such memories & such a loss. Thanks for all of it Gordon !

[@pty8s]

Gosh such a memory. I went down to the riverboat when I was 16 in ‘71, looking for electric coolade. And I was sure I’d find it. I had coaxed a girl into accompanying me with mescaline the weekend prior. No luck with the magic drink but no night in those days wasn’t eventful.

[@VtRD]

Such a beautiful memory. From busking to becoming a true storyteller and icon. What a life.

[@michaelconner2244]

❤thanks for your amazing contribution to Canadian music!!

[@gerryst-aubin5877]

The passing of a Canadian icon. His music and songs will live on forever. RIP Gordon Lightfoot.

[@robbhahn8897]

'Rainy day people don't hide love inside they just pass it on.' Feel like I've lost a friend.

[@carolmartin4413]

Thank you, Canada, for sharing this outstanding musician and songwriter with the world. Everyone has lost with his passing. RIP Gordon Lightfoot...😥

[@barbaratillman8552]

I don't have the words for how sad I am . Even when you don't know someone personally, you know them through their music and what it means to you. It's been there with me through good times and not so good times for many years. He was outstanding in concert. He was an exceptional songwriter, one of the best ever. I'll be listening to his music and raising a glass Saturday night. God bless Gordon

[@RCarlson01]

He made the world a better place. Thank you Gordon Lightfoot for so much, and so many incredible songs. My condolences to his close friends and family.

[@FionaEm]

I'm Australian and absolutely loved Gordon Lightfoot. Beautiful songs, great storytelling & a unique voice ❤

[@michaelboguski4743]

The Legend Lives On!

[@mariecook797]

Rest in peace Mr. Lightfoot. Your music will always be in my heart. One of the best story tellers of our time and no one could put words to music like you. A true Canadian legend......

[@mikeboldt3876]

Not only the greatest Canadian songwriter of all time, but one of the best songwriters period, of our time. Gordon Lightfoot certainly left a beautiful legacy of songs for anyone who appreciates music...and poetry, regardless of genre. And also...who better than Jim Cuddy to put into words what he was all about. Obviously in the top echelon of Canadian musicians/songwriters himself, what an honest and eloquent description of his memories and thoughts on Gordon Lightfoot's music, legacy, and personality...well done Jim Cuddy!!!

[@paulwilson2542]

Godspeed indeed An absolutely amazing poet, musician, decent, honorable, intrepid person. 😔👏🥰

[@bobcunningham486]

Thank you Gordon Lightfoot...so many amazing songs that will live on...

[@edwardbliss8931]

RIP a Canadian Icon. What hurts about this is that Gordon Lightfoot represents a time, era, spirit in Canadian music---especially his Yorkville days, when a scene was thriving and vibrant---an epicentre bursting with creativity---that we may never see again

[@exertkarma]

I grew up hearing my parents play their Lightfoot CDs all the time on friday and saturday nights and have associated so many memories and emotions with his music. It's heartwarming to hear the comments from Jim, as he and Blue Rodeo happen to be my favourite band, and thats not just in Canada. You can hear the inspiration from Gordon in Blue Rodeo's music. Unfortunately I never got to see Gordon live but he was an incredible musician - one of the greats. He will be missed. Rest in peace Gordon.

[@GoldTopDeluxe70]

I am so sad at his passing. He influenced me from my earliest days as a musician and am not ready to not see him play again…❤

[@nba2kchannel490]

I am devestated to learn of the passing of Gordon Lightfoot a true Canadian Icon. He will not be forgotten.

[@katherinehunter9526]

Bless your heart and musical Soul Gordon Lightfoot! Thank you for all the wonderful lyrics and music you blessed us with that will live on forever. Since I was a little girl listening to my older sisters Lightfoot albums, I fell in love for life with the picturesque lyrics you painted about love, life, lies and loss. In 1967 you gave us a historic musical trilogy about Canada that gave us Pride! Your heart wrenching tale of the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald such a haunting account of that fateful night.... " Does any one know where the love of God goes When the waves turn the minutes to hours?"...GL Haunting lyrics! Thank you for all the lessons you taught this your girl, who now as an old woman I understand what you were talking about. The choir in heaven must be cheering because they just got a stellar addition to the Band! 😘🕊🎶 Rest in Peace and Love forever Brother! You've been on my lifelong soundtrack for over 5 decades. 🕊 ❤ 🇨🇦 🎶 🎸💃🏻

[@RJ-eg2nx]

R.I.P. Gordon Lightfoot. I was fortunate enough to see Gordon in 2010 at Shea's Buffalo, NY. A show and time that I will never forget, seeing a master singer and songwriter.

[@leedawson5615]

Thanks for the music - thanks for the memories. RIP🙏

[@Modernaire]

Absolutely crazy. Just YESTERDAY, I had, out of the blue, just started to listen to Gordon's 'Sundown' album, and really listening to it and realizing how amazing his music, his voice, his songwriting and playing was, is. I listened to his greatest hits. I looked up photos of him, and then this. Did I have a premonition? It's happened before. George Michael, I had suddenly got worried about him, looking up information on him, next day. Gone. I'm telling you, this isn't some paranormal thing, could very well just be coincidence. But I did feel a bit of lament in that today, people have forgotten Gordon and his wonderful, ethereal music. Keyword, ethereal. Music is a kind of energy, and it flows through us, if you open up your channels, so to speak. The good will enter and become you. And Gordon may have sent something through the cosmos, that he was leaving us, in some way, the through music, which surrounds us all. If you listen to the best. Anyway, totally going a bit hyperbolic, but this is a shock. Love this man's music and work. So sad but he left us with such great music. Thank you Gordon. Listening to you as the sun sets down. Beautiful.

[@AZ-bp5zo]

Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian Legend! May he rest in heavenly peace.

[@movienerd202]

RIP 🙏 The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down Of the big lake they called Gitche Gumee Superior, they said, never gives up her dead When the gales of November come early

[@panchamama]

Loved his music

[@malachygriffin3497]

Thanks Gordon. Rest In Peace

[@carolsnell9666]

A perfect interview about a perfect song. Thanks, Heather. Thanks, Jim.

[@wattch8076]

Hey Ladies and Gentlemen, a shout out to Gordon, the bandmates, current, and past years. Our condolences to Gordon's family and whom you and your family's are a part of. The legacy of the memories you have created over so many decades will not be forgotten. I hope and pray you will touch upon them often sharing with us, as I know the music plays on in my mind for my eternity. Thank you Gordon Lightfoot and family. ❤

[@brianjamestracey]

RIP Gordon to a great artist..your music and heart will live on..he defined the land and soul of Canada thru his art..

[@jamesbrown9130]

Blue Rodeo covered If You Could Read my Mind maybe 15 years back, pretty sure it was at Massey Hall. I would love to find it again. It was so beautiful and melancholy.

[@02bher1]

RIP dear man you gave us so many songs to sing along with.

[@patrickkelley3655]

Gordon Lightfoot belongs to the world not just to Canada... RIP mister storyteller , you will be greatly missed ! From a big fan in Alaska .

[@drumswest5035]

My brothers and I grew up listening and playing his music, true Canadian and awesome song writer and singer…he will be missed.

[@cynthiablandford6213]

We did too!

[@gibsalisbury]

RIP. You will be missed.

[@barboblisk1029]

The world has lost, and will miss a great song writer, musician and performer.

[@jamesevans3492]

Rest In Peace Storyteller, And Song Writer Gordon Lightfoot . . . Thank You Very Much For Making My Growing Up In The 1970's A Fun Filled One, While Enjoying Your Amazingly Beautiful Story Telling Songs . . . ;-) R.I.P. Gordon Lightfoot . . .

[@YvanHarvey]

Another Canadian ICON gone. I want to drive across Canada and just listen to Gordon all the way. Love you Gord.

[@stefanratkiewicz]

RIP Gordon (Sir). I didn't realize how clean and precise the instrumental part of his music is/ was.

[@angelmatos9143]

From the time I purchased my first album (Don Quixote 1972) to when I was finally able to see him live (Kravis Center, West Palm Beach 1999) the musical journey you paved for us will always create a beautiful reflective state of mind that we will always treasure. Heartfelt thoughts to your family from Puerto Rico.

[@PirateRadioPodcasts]

BEAUTIFUL tribute Jim! thx .....

[@sweetcaroline2060]

So very, very sorry to see you go, Mr. Lightfoot. Thanks for the years of unforgettable entertainment. I'm lucky to have grown up with Gordon Lightfoot's music and to actually meet him personally and converse for a few minutes. What an awesome memory -- and such a perfect gentleman. Eternal rest grant unto him and let the Perpetual Light shine upon him. May his soul rest in Peace 🙏 🙏🙏. Amen 🙏. ❤❤❤

[@thehypnoticdog6682]

Gordon was a true troubadour songwriter and performer.

[@luvutons411]

Definitely a Canadian music legend. Love ever song that he had put out. 💐R.I.P. Gordon Lightfoot💐🎤🎶

[@saifonlawrence2044]

The loggers gotta eat too....love you Gord !

[@alexiskiri9693]

Gordon Lightfoot was a brilliant musician and poet. He was loved by many people. RIP my friend. You will be missed by everybody who loves you. I have been weeping all day.

[@carolholly1608]

❤💔❤💔❤💔❤💔❤💔❤💔❤

[@jamierae-7015]

An icon..❤

[@joannegalloway9993]

RIP Fly with the Angels I grew up with his voice 😢

[@patriciareilly8841]

"Died with Tour Dates on the Calendar", wonderful epitaph for a Canadian music legend. God Speed Gordon🌹

[@TheNaznine]

Thank you for all the songs. R.I.P.

[@craig7350]

I saw him in concert in the 80's. Best concert I ever saw. I also met Bobby Orr 10 years ago. I still remember him as the greatest hockey player that ever lived, because he knew when to quit.

[@user-fm8br2my4n]

Loved him

[@paul2019monte]

I really enjoyed this interview. Beautiful job. Thank you. RIP Gordon Lightfoot❤

[@Political-incorrect-bus-driver]

An institution of Canadiana. May you rest in peace. And thank you for your outstanding gift to society. And the world as a whole.

[@daviddunster9305]

God rest and God Bless the entertainers.

[@jamesrae7597]

Saw Big Gord when he was 54 in Victoria and he was buff from pumping iron and put on a stellar show.

[@paulgoldstein2569]

I felt very sorry to see him go. A CD was recently released on the Jasmine label collecting his early Country/Pop sides that he made for the Canadian Chateau label, recorded in two Spring 1962 sessions in Nashville before he became famous, and those very early recordings he preferred to forget.

[@gordonp4675]

State Funeral.

[@Sirissacbrock]

If you want to put flowers in memory you can do it in Orillia, Ontario in front of his statue.

[@lpete2766]

Gordon lightfoot loved your songs . rest in peace .

[@user-ut2cb2wc7e]

Gordon Lightfoot is my all-time favorite singer-songwriter!

[@bryanbonham448]

True Canadian from Orillia to down to Frans, Massey Hall,to the world, carefree highway!❤

[@robertclark4509]

thanks Gord....RIP

[@toughlove2442]

Good interview with Jim Cuddy about the loss of the biggest of all Canadian music legend of all time. Unfortunately, someone made the mistake of closing this segment out with Lightfoot performing "For Loving Me", a song he dropped from his concert playlist years ago because of how meanspirited the lyrics were to the women in Gord's early days. To bad that with all the resources they have, the CBC could have made a better decision.

[@Oldsaltydog2]

The sound of Canada ❤

[@Jacques0826]

Gord was and wrote Canada's soundtrack.

[@TheTwangKings]

There won't be another Gordon Lightfoot for 200 years. We've lost a jewel of a musician. 😢

[@wavelength3278]

Holy Crap, that’s Jim Cuddy? I am old!

[@willshaw6405]

A Canadian treasure. Our treasure...RIP

[@canolaoil]

Good job interview person, first rate

[@turtleblazer3310]

😓R I P Gordon Lightfoot 🙏

[@gordonbezanson4710]

Rip Gord.😢

[@paigeroth402]

" This time tomorrow we might be all packed and gone, I believe it's best we carry on Smoke rings rising til they disappear, in the sky above If you ask me I'll tag along" Gordon Lightfoot

[@chrisatkinson4295]

A great Canadian and lover of the Candian environment where he would spend his downtime on epic canoe trips through the Canadian north to re-charge and clean out the toxins from his system. I will miss him but his music lives on forever.

[@troybreedlove4195]

Fly high Gordon

[@janmitchell641]

RIP Gordon.

[@bonniejackson1321]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@brianwhitney9181]

Only one person would be on Canada's version of Mt.Rushmore and that's Gordon Lightfoot.😢

[@FrederickGtheGreat]

GL "Does anyone know where the love of God goes. when the waves turn the minutes to hours." RIP Gord

[@test40323]

"Adios, Adios", Lightfoot will find out if..."Heaven don't deserve me". I'll miss him more than "Just a little bit". Salute.

[@nancylundgren856]

😢

[@roncaporiccio1731]

,the Godfather.of.canadain..song Master

[@nicholaspatton1742]

That Canadian band up there is getting pretty darn good , Hard to match.

[@deathmetalchili6902]

Gordon Lightfoot......a Golden God!

[@homeagain9692]

If it wasn't for CanCon I'd probably list go Gordy more but it was all lightfoot all the time back in the 70's on the one AM station we got. Kind of like wanting to listen to stairway to heaven. . . . Never again. But he was one of the greats no doubt.

[@mynameisnoonesbusiness4488]

😮😢

[@philipstoddard1502]

I had to stop listening to his music after my divorce. I learned he died in a text message from my estranged daughter, who I hadn't heard from in 11 years. She said she heard he died and she broke down crying. She remembered me singing his songs when she went to work with me. We are due to meet up to get reacquainted this Summer.

[@leoham4756]

Lately it seems that all our totems are leaving the field, says a 76yrs old

[@amandawoods8323]

A short history of Massey Hall would be beneficial for the audience.

[@grattonland]

"The loggers got to eat too". He was probably his way to say to not blame the loggers, but the companies.

[@joberon5969]

Canada's Bob Dylan RIP

[@cynthiablandford6213]

Good comment,absolutely ❤!!

[@cynthiablandford6213]

He was good friends with Bob Dylan.

[@imisstoronto3121]

I saw him a few years ago at a local casino theatre. He looked terrible, gaunt and pale and had to have an oxygen tank nearby. He couldn't sing a complete song through to completion. Sad he was a great artist.

[@sweetcaroline2060]

I miss Toronto: Thanks for pointing out his deficiencies. Is the world going to mourn you when you pass?🤪🤪🤪

[@mikejburns]

We lost another great Gord..

[@lahyessam9725]

Blocked why

[@wayneharris9263]

Who is Jim Cuddy?