Gordon Lightfoot

Description: Singer/Songwriter

Comparisons: Gordon Lightfoot can easily be compared to Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Kris Kristofferson. Since many of his songs were performed by others, it's also safe to say if you enjoyed Peter Paul and Mary, Judy Collins, and Harry Belafonte, you'd probably also enjoy Gordon Lightfoot.

Quote From Gordon Lightfoot: "If you plan to face tomorrow, do it soon."

Starter CDs: Don Quixote (Warner Archives, 1972). Gord's Gold (Reprise, 1975). Classic Masters (Capitol/EMI, 2003).

Gordon Lightfoot Biography: Gordon Meredith Lightfoot was born in November, 1938, in Orillia, Ontario, Canada. As a young boy, he began singing in a local church choir, to which he credits the early development of his singing voice. As a teenager, Lightfoot began to teach himself how to play piano and various percussion instruments.

When he was 19, he moved to California to study composition and orchestration at the Westlake College of Music in Hollywood. After about a year in Hollywood, Lightfoot returned to Canada and began performing with the folk group The Swingin Eight, as well as playing his own solo gigs on the side.

In 1962, he and his performing partner, Terry Whelan, released their debut album, Two Tones at the Village Corner (Chateau). Lightfoot followed this up with a tour of Europe and an appearance at the Mariposa Folk Festival.

By 1965, he had begun to establish a bit of notoriety, as popular American folk artists such as Judy Collins, Harry Belafonte, Peter Paul and Mary, and the Kingston Trio were now performing his songs.

However, it wasn't until 1971 that Lightfoot hit the Top Ten himself with "If You Could Read My Mind." Three years later, he enjoyed his first Number One hit with "Sundown."

Since then, he has continued touring and writing at an incredible pace, playing about fifty shows each year. He's released 20 albums to date.

Listen to Gordon Lightfoot MP3s