Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote that 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."
Writing on his Archives website, Neil Young shared how he had spoken to Lightfoot following the cancellation of his tour, though "he sounded happy." "Gordon was a great Canadian artist," Young shared. "A songwriter without parallel, his melodies and words were an inspiration to all writers who listened to his music, as they will continue to be through the ages. There is a unique and wonderful feeling to Gordon's music. Lightfoot is a Canadian legend."
Randy Bachman shared a memory of how he attended a Lightfoot performance in his youth with musical partner Burton Cummings. "We sat there mesmerized the entire time at the way he sang and the stories his lyrics told. Poetry, folklore & music. Spellbound would be a good way to describe it."
Rush frontman Geddy Lee called Lightfoot "a legendary poet, a songwriting inspiration — a gem of a man — I loved him," sharing on Instagram, "He used to bring his daughter who was a fan, to our shows, and he'd sit with her in the audience getting blasted with volume for three hours — a few months back he phoned me out of the blue, for no other reason than to say he'd just watched one of our concert films and really loved it."
New Pornographers leader A.C. Newman expressed that Lightfoot has "Too many timeless classics to name," writing, "A loss to Canadians that others might not quite understand. He was our guy. Plus he had the most Canadian name of all time."
Find further tributes to Lightfoot from Liona Boyd, Robbie Robertson, Ben Stiller, Raffi, Sook-Yin Lee, Stephen Fearing, Kiefer Sutherland, Stephen King, the Iron Sheik and more below.
“Rainy day people all know there’s no sorrow they can’t rise above.” - Gordon Lightfoot Heartbroken to learn of the loss of a Canadian legend, Gordon Lightfoot. Sending love and comfort to his loved ones during this tough time. Rest in peace, Gordon. 🕊 📸MICHAEL OCHS ARCHIVE
🌟 on Lightfoot’s passing, reflecting. in late life Gord’s voice lost its lustre. and though his recordings will always remain, we mourn the loss of his presence. times shared that are no more. memory recreates our bond with those who pass. #RIPLightfoot #EarlyMorningRain
The world lost one of its great storytellers yesterday. Canada lost part of itself. And I lost a hero. Gordon Lightfoot, may you rest in peace.
Beautiful songwriter and soul singer, Gordon Lightfoot rest peacefully. This was six years ago at his home in front of his wall of SS Edmond Fitzgeralds, when he was about to hit the road. That morning he "packed his guitars into an 18 wheeler." 💗
Just typed out these thoughts of Lightfoot in my dressing room in Waterford RS
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Rave On Gordon #gordonlightfoot
Sad to hear of the passing of the Great Gordon Lightfoot yesterday. Salute from Preem & I. “The Legend Lives On.” @REALDJPREMIER
I was very sorry to hear of the passing of Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon has been a friend for nearly 50 years and was responsible for giving me one of my biggest breaks early in my career when I opened for him on tour in the 70s. There are so many great stories from that tour and I
An unforgettable singer-songwriter, Canadian icon, hero, and friend with whom I shared a day on stage (Aug.27, 2017) and many others in his audience. The loss of Gordon Lightfoot cannot be measured.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Gordon Lightfoot, Canada's most legendary singer-songwriter. We will fly our NAC flag at half mast in his memory. Gordon's music reflected the mood and spirit of a generation, and became the soundtrack of our country.
