Canadian folk singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, passed away in a Toronto hospital Monday, his publicist announced, but did not elaborate on his cause of death.
Lightfoot secured five Grammy nominations and won the Canadian equivalent, the Juno award, 17 times throughout his career.
His portfolio includes composing more than 200 songs, many of which were covered by the most famous musicians in the world, including Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Sarah McLachlan, Barbra Streisand, Harry Belafonte, Jane’s Addiction, Glen Campbell and Toby Keith.
On April 11, he announced the cancellation of his 2023 performance schedule in North America. A statement cited unspecified “health related issues,” and it said he expected to recover.
Lightfoot accomplished a feat more rarefied in popular music today, essentially becoming a one-man act who performed his own critically acclaimed music, including his most noted mid-1960s songs, “Early Mornin’ Rain” and “For Lovin’ Me.”
At least seven of his albums have been certified gold in the U.S., a designation that means sales of 500,000 or more.
Lightfoot’s easygoing but melancholy “Sundown” would be his only U.S. No. 1 hit, peaking in late June 1974 and spending 18 weeks on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart.
Lightfoot is survived by his wife, Kim Hasse; his six children, Fred, Ingrid, Eric, Galen, Miles and Meredith; and several grandchildren, his publicist, Lord, said in a statement
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