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Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot dies at 84, Justin Trudeau, Bryan Adams post tributes

'I simply write the songs about where I am and where I’m from,' the musician had once said

TORONTO, CANADA: Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian singer-songwriter renowned for the folk-pop classics 'If You Could Read My Mind' and 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald', has died at the age of 84, according to his family. His longtime publicist Victoria Lord announced that Lightfoot left the world on Monday evening, May 1 in Sunnybrook Hospital, Toronto.

Numerous musicians, including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Cash, Anne Murray, Jane's Addiction, and Sarah McLachlan, have covered Lightfoot's songs. He was once referred to as a "rare talent" by Bob Dylan, as per The Guardian. Canadian singer-songwriter who lived in Toronto, is survived by his wife, Kim Hasse, six children — Fred, Ingrid, Miles, Meredith, Eric and Galen — and several grandchildren, as per his publicist, as reported by The New York Times.

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How did Gordon Lightfoot die?

According to publicist Victoria Lord, Lightfoot died at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto at 7.30 pm from natural causes. His death occurs less than a month after he announced on April 11 that he would not be performing in the US and Canada in 2023. According to a Facebook post, the cancellation was brought on by "health related issues".

How was his career?

His songs were heavily autobiographical for the most part. His 1975 song 'The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald' told the story of the sinking of a Great Lakes ore freighter, while his 1966 tune Canadian Railroad Trilogy showed the construction of the railway. "I simply write the songs about where I am and where I’m from," he said. "I take situations and write poems about them."

By 1964, audiences had begun to swell and his fame was spreading thanks to good word of mouth reviews where ever he performed. I'm Not Sayin', a song by Lightfoot that became popular in Canada the next year, helped in establishing his reputation in the US. Late in the 1960s, when the folk music renaissance drew to an end, Lightfoot was already leaning towards pop. With 'If You Could Read My Mind,' he made his debut on the Billboard chart in 1971. It peaked at No. 5 and inspired several covers. Lightfoot has gotten five Grammy nominations and 17 Juno awards, Canada's equivalent.

He was inducted into the Canadian Recording Industry Hall of Fame, now known as the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, in 1986. In 1997, he earned the Governor General's Award, and in 2001, he was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame.

How was his health?

During his career, Lightfoot battled Bell's palsy, alcoholism, and a ruptured artery in his stomach that put him in a coma for six weeks in 2002.

Who are his family?

According to Lord, Lightfoot's publicist, he is survived by his wife, Kim Hasse, six children — Fred, Ingrid, Miles, Meredith, Eric, and Galen — and many grandchildren. His first two marriages ended up in divorce. Beverley Eyers, his older sister, died in 2017.

'Gutted to know he’s gone'

Tributes to the iconic artist flooded in from family, friends, fans, and politicians. Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to pay tribute to Lightfoot and wrote, "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."

"Gordon Lightfoot has died. He was a great songwriter and a wonderful performer. Sundown, you better take care/If I catch you creepin' 'round my back stairs," wrote Stephen King. Broadcaster Joe Bowen added, "Very sad day with the passing of Canadian Icon Gordon Lightfoot. His longtime drummer Barry Keane arranged for us to meet Gordon several times. A huge piece of Canadian Music History has left us. RIP Gordon." Canadian rocker Bryan Adams mentioned Lightfoot his friend and said he was "gutted to know he’s gone."