The Songwriters Hall of Fame was saddened to learn of the passing of 2012 Inductee Gordon Lightfoot.
Gordon Lightfoot was the author and voice of timeless songs that include "Early Morning Rain", "Canadian Railroad Trilogy", "Sundown", "If You Could Read My Mind", "Carefree Highway", "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald", "Beautiful, Ribbon Of Darkness", "Rainy Day People", "That's What You Get For Lovin' Me", "Did She Mention My Name", "I'm Not Sayin' That I Love You", "Race Among the Ruins", "Softly", "Song For A Winter's Night", and "Summer Side Of Life". Known for his soothing style and stirring lyrics, Lightfoot rose to prominence in his native Canada in the early 1960s, and developed an international following after penning the now-folk music standard "If You Could Read My Mind" in the early '70s.
The Orillia, Ontario native — who was a Bob Dylan devotee — drew inspiration for his music from the landscape in which he was born, and his music often touched on his country's geography, history and culture.
Gordon Lightfoot had four GRAMMY nominations and 17 Juno Awards in his native Canada. In November 1997 he was presented the Governor General’s Award—the highest official Canadian honor, which is conferred on very few, for their international efforts in spreading Canadian culture. Gordon was also honored as a charter member of Canada’s Walk of Fame and most recently was elevated to the "companion" of the Order of Canada (highest level) in December. Lightfoot was also inducted into The Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Artists who have recorded Lightfoot’s songs include Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Sarah McLachlan, Barbra Streisand, Peter Paul and Mary, Harry Belafonte, Jane’s Addiction, Richie Havens, Glen Campbell, Toby Keith, Anne Murray, Nana Mouskouri and George Hamilton IV.
Lightfoot is survived by his wife Kim Hasse, six children and several grandchildren.