Gordon Lightfoot

Gordon Lightfoot is a prodigious Canadian singer-songwriter who incorporates elements of country and pop into his style.

He came from a family who encouraged his talent and he sang in church as a boy before studying music at College in the 50s. His first recording was as one of the Two Tones, a folk duo with Terry Whelan. He was already gaining credibility as a songwriter of some note: "For Lovin' Me" was covered by Peter, Paul and Mary and "Early Mornin' Rain" by Ian and Sylvia Tyson, Bob Dylan and Elvis Presley. "If You Could Read My Mind" went on to become a popular cover track, recorded by disparate artists including Don McLean and techno group Stars on 54.

He released his own debut Lightfoot! in 1966, and it was well-received internationally. His continuing ability to write good songs ensured further album and single successes, among them "Sundown" and "The Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald". Throughout the course of his long career he has been awarded 15 Junos and been nominated for 5 Grammys - a reflection of the esteem in which he is held.

His grueling release and touring schedule was almost halted after a near fatal hemorrhage in 2002, but he returned powerfully with the album Harmony (2004) and he continues to write and tour to the present day.