Gordon Lightfoot: Canadian Folk Legend of Sundown and Edmund Fitzgerald

Gordon Lightfoot was a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist, a pillar of folk and folk-rock whose songs include "If You Could Read My Mind," "Sundown" and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." Born Gordon Meredith Lightfoot Jr. on November 17, 1938, in Orillia, Ontario, he became one of Canada's most beloved artists.

"If You Could Read My Mind" became an international hit in 1970 and sold over a million copies. "Sundown" reached No. 1 in the United States and Canada in 1974, and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" reached No. 2 in the U.S. and No. 1 in Canada in 1976. In 1988 he performed at the opening ceremonies of the Calgary Winter Olympics.

Lightfoot was married three times and had several children. He was an honorary captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the 1991-92 season. He died of natural causes at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto on May 1, 2023, at age 84. Remembered for his baritone voice and storytelling, he is a cornerstone of Canadian music.

Achievements: "If You Could Read My Mind" became a million-seller (1970), "Sundown" hit No. 1 (1974), "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" reached No. 2 in the U.S. (1976), performed at the Calgary Olympics opening ceremonies (1988).

Birth: November 17, 1938 - Orillia, Ontario, Canada.

Profession: Singer-songwriter and guitarist.

Interesting Facts: He once sued the composer of "The Greatest Love of All," claiming it borrowed from "If You Could Read My Mind," and the case settled out of court. His parents owned a dry-cleaning business in Orillia.