Gordon Lightfoot Canadian Singer (1938–2023)
Gordon Lightfoot · singer-songwriter and poet · Canadian
Latest Videos From Gordon Lightfoot’s YouTube Channel
Gordon Lightfoot - Return Into Dust - Official Lyric Video
Gordon Lightfoot - Oh So Sweet - Official Lyric Video
Gordon Lightfoot - Why Not Give It A Try - Official Lyric Video
Gordon Lightfoot - Oh So Sweet - Official Audio
Gordon Lightfoot - Sundown (Official Audio)
Gordon Lightfoot on Social Media
Counts with the date they were readBiography
Born on 17 November 1938 in Orillia, Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian singer. Gordon Lightfoot died on 1 May 2023 at the age of 84.
Early life
Schooling on record includes Orillia District Collegiate & Vocational Institute and The Royal Conservatory of Music.
Career
Released between 1965 and 2020, 25 albums and 6 singles carry his name. I'm Not Sayin' (1965) is the oldest release listed, Solo (2020) the newest. He worked mainly in folk music and folk rock. He is listed as playing guitar and piano. He has released music through Linus Entertainment. Gordon Lightfoot also appears on screen in Harry Tracy, Desperado (1982).
Recognition
Gordon Lightfoot’s wins include eight Juno Awards (between 1970 and 1978). Other wins include the Canadian Music Hall of Fame (1986) and the Canada's Walk of Fame (1998). Among his nominations is the Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording in 1969 for Did She Mention My Name. In all, Gordon Lightfoot won 20 awards and received 18 nominations.
Personal life
He had one child on record.
Discography
31 releases| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Solo | Album |
| 2012 | All Live | Album |
| 2004 | Harmony | Album |
| 1999 | Songbook | Album |
| 1998 | A Painter Passing Through | Album |
| 1993 | Waiting for You | Album |
| 1986 | East of Midnight | Album |
| 1983 | Salute | Album |
| 1982 | Shadows | Album |
| 1980 | Dream Street Rose | Album |
| 1978 | Endless Wire | Album |
| 1976 | Summertime Dream | Album |
| 1976 | The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald | Single |
| 1975 | Cold on the Shoulder | Album |
| 1975 | Gord's Gold | Album |
Show all 31 releases
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Rainy Day People | Single |
| 1974 | Carefree Highway | Single |
| 1974 | Sundown | Album |
| 1974 | Sundown | Single |
| 1972 | Don Quixote | Album |
| 1972 | Old Dan's Records | Album |
| 1971 | Summer Side of Life | Album |
| 1970 | If You Could Read My Mind | Album |
| 1969 | Sunday Concert | Album |
| 1968 | Back Here on Earth | Album |
| 1968 | Did She Mention My Name | Album |
| 1967 | The Way I Feel | Album |
| 1966 | Lightfoot! | Album |
| 1965 | I'm Not Sayin' | Single |
| 1965 | Ribbon of Darkness | Single |
| Gord's Gold, Vol. 2 | Album |
Awards and nominations
20 won, 18 nominated| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Golden Plate Award | Won | |
| 2012 | Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal | Won | |
| 2001 | Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 1998 | Canada's Walk of Fame | Won | |
| 1997 | Governor General's Award for English-language poetry | Won | |
| 1986 | Canadian Music Hall of Fame | Won | |
| 1978 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Won | |
| 1977 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Won | |
| 1977 | Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year | The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald | Won |
| 1976 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Won | |
| 1975 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Won | |
| 1974 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Won | |
| 1973 | Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year | Won | |
| 1970 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Won | |
| Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame | Won |
Show all 38 entries
| Year | Award | For | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame | Won | ||
| Companion of the Order of Canada | Won | ||
| Folk Alliance International | Won | ||
| Order of Ontario | Won | ||
| Songwriters Hall of Fame | Won | ||
| 1982 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1981 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1980 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1979 | Juno Award for Album of the Year | Endless Wire | Nominated |
| 1979 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1978 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1977 | Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald | Nominated |
| 1977 | Grammy Award for Song of the Year | The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald | Nominated |
| 1977 | Juno Award for Album of the Year | Summertime Dream | Nominated |
| 1977 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1977 | Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year | The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald | Nominated |
| 1976 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1975 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1975 | Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1974 | Juno Award for Folk Artist of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1973 | Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year | Nominated | |
| 1972 | Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance | If You Could Read My Mind | Nominated |
| 1969 | Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording | Did She Mention My Name | Nominated |
Filmography
1 credit| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Harry Tracy, Desperado | Film |
Frequently asked questions
How old was Gordon Lightfoot at the time of death?
Gordon Lightfoot died on 1 May 2023 at the age of 84. He was born on 17 November 1938.
What is Gordon Lightfoot’s nationality?
Gordon Lightfoot was Canadian, born in Orillia.
Has Gordon Lightfoot won any awards?
Yes. 20 awards are on record, including Golden Plate Award (2022).
Sources
- Wikidata (Q359552), accessed October 2026
- Follower counts: dated individually above
- YouTube: video titles and publish dates
- Photo: Arnielee · CC BY-SA 3.0
Last checked by the Wiki of Celebs editorial team
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