Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Gordon Lightfoot
Discover the career path of Gordon Lightfoot, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Gordon Lightfoot was a highly successful Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist renowned for his contributions to folk, folk-rock, and country music. A defining figure in the folk-pop sound of the 60s and 70s, he is considered Canada's greatest songwriter. Lightfoot created numerous gold and multi-platinum albums, with his songs covered by many famous artists. His work often explored themes of trains, shipwrecks, nature, relationships, and solitude, securing his legacy as a storyteller through music.
1961: Release of first singles
In 1961, Gordon Lightfoot released two singles, recorded at RCA in Nashville, marking the start of his professional recording career.
July 1962: "(Remember Me) I'm the One" Reaches No. 3 in Toronto
In July 1962, Lightfoot's single "(Remember Me) I'm the One" reached No. 3 on CHUM radio in Toronto, marking a significant achievement.
1962: Canadian Chart Success Begins
In 1962, Lightfoot's Canadian chart success began with the No. 3 hit "(Remember Me) I'm the One".
1963: Travels in Europe and Hosts BBC Show
In 1963, Lightfoot travelled in Europe and hosted BBC TV's Country and Western Show in the UK for a year.
1964: Return to Canada and Mariposa Folk Festival
In 1964, Lightfoot returned to Canada and appeared at the Mariposa Folk Festival, enhancing his reputation as a songwriter.
December 1965: "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" Peak on Canadian Charts
In December 1965, Lightfoot's rendition of Bob Dylan's "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" peaked at No. 3 on the Canadian charts.
1965: Start of Red Shea Collaboration
From 1965, Red Shea was an important supporting player as lead guitarist in Lightfoot's sound.
1965: Management and Recording Contracts Signed
In 1965, Lightfoot signed a management contract with Albert Grossman and a recording contract with United Artists.
1965: Marty Robbins covers "Ribbon of Darkness"
In 1965, Marty Robbins's cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "Ribbon of Darkness" became a number one hit on the U.S. country chart, bringing Lightfoot wide recognition.
1966: Recording albums for United Artists
From 1966 to 1969, Gordon Lightfoot recorded albums for United Artists.
1966: Release of Debut Album Lightfoot!
In 1966, Gordon Lightfoot released his debut album, "Lightfoot!", which featured now-famous songs and increased his exposure as a singer and songwriter.
January 1, 1967: "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" Commissioned
On January 1, 1967, the CBC commissioned Lightfoot to write the "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" for a special broadcast to kick off Canada's Centennial year.
1967: First Canadian National Tour
In 1967, Lightfoot embarked on his first Canadian national tour and performed in New York City.
1967: "Black Day in July" Released
In 1967, Lightfoot released "Black Day in July," a song about the 1967 Detroit riot, which brought him recognition.
January 1968: Release of "Did She Mention My Name?"
In January 1968, Lightfoot released the album "Did She Mention My Name?", which included the song "Black Day in July" about the 1967 Detroit riot.
1968: Rick Haynes Joins Lightfoot's Band
In 1968, Rick Haynes joined Gordon Lightfoot's band as a bassist, becoming a core member.
1968: The Guess Who's "Lightfoot" track release
In 1968, The Guess Who celebrated Gordon Lightfoot in their song "Lightfoot" on the album "Wheatfield Soul," referencing his artistry and song titles.
1969: Live Recording "Sunday Concert"
In 1969, Gordon Lightfoot recorded the live album "Sunday Concert" for United Artists.
1970: "If You Could Read My Mind" Topped the Charts
In 1970, Gordon Lightfoot topped the US Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts with the hit "If You Could Read My Mind".
1970: Signs with Warner Bros./Reprise and Releases "If You Could Read My Mind"
In 1970, Lightfoot signed with Warner Bros./Reprise and released "If You Could Read My Mind", achieving major hit status in the United States.
1970: Terry Clements Joins and Red Shea leaves touring band
In 1970, Terry Clements joined Lightfoot's band as lead guitarist, and Red Shea left the touring band, but continued to record with Lightfoot until 1975.
1970: End of initial Red Shea Period
Until 1970, Red Shea was an important supporting player as lead guitarist in Lightfoot's sound.
1971: Release of "If You Could Read My Mind"
In 1971, Lightfoot originally released "If You Could Read My Mind", the melody of which became the subject of a lawsuit years later.
1971: First Major International Hit
In early 1971, Lightfoot scored his first major international hit with "If You Could Read My Mind" after defecting to Warner Bros. Records.
June 1974: "Sundown" Reaches No. 1
In June 1974, Lightfoot's single "Sundown" from the album of the same name reached No. 1 on the American and Canadian charts.
1974: European and Australian Tours
Between 1967 and 1974, Lightfoot toured Europe and Australia, receiving positive reception.
1974: "Sundown" and "Carefree Highway" Chart Success
In 1974, Gordon Lightfoot topped the charts with "Sundown" and had another hit with "Carefree Highway".
1975: "Rainy Day People" Hit Song
In 1975, Gordon Lightfoot had a hit song called "Rainy Day People" that appeared in the top 40.
1975: Pee Wee Charles Joins the Band
In 1975, Pee Wee Charles added pedal steel guitar to Lightfoot's songs.
1975: Red Shea Stops Recording with Lightfoot
In 1975, Red Shea stopped recording with Lightfoot, having continued recording with him since leaving the touring band in 1970.
1976: "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" Success
In 1976, Gordon Lightfoot released "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" which topped the US Hot 100 and Adult Contemporary charts.
1977: "The Greatest Love of All" First Release
In 1977, George Benson recorded and released a version of "The Greatest Love of All", prior to Whitney Houston's later version.
1977: Received the Vanier Award
In 1977, Gordon Lightfoot received the Vanier Award from the Canadian Jaycees.
1978: Top 40 Hit with "The Circle Is Small"
In 1978, Lightfoot had another top 40 hit on the United States Hot 100 with a re-recorded version of "The Circle Is Small (I Can See It in Your Eyes)", which reached number 33.
1980: Release of Dream Street Rose album
In 1980, Lightfoot released the Dream Street Rose album.
1981: Mike Heffernan Completes the Ensemble
In 1981, keyboardist Mike Heffernan completed the five-piece backup band that would remain intact until 1987.
1982: Release of Shadows album
In 1982, Lightfoot released the Shadows album.
1982: "Baby Step Back" Last Top 50 Hit in US
In 1982, the single "Baby Step Back" marked Lightfoot's last time in the top 50 in the US.
1983: Release of Salute album
In 1983, Lightfoot released the Salute album.
1985: Whitney Houston Releases "The Greatest Love of All"
In 1985, Whitney Houston recorded and released a version of "The Greatest Love of All".
1986: Ken Danby begins painting Lightfoot's portrait
Between 1986 and 1988, Ken Danby worked on a portrait of Gordon Lightfoot dressed in the white suit he wore on the cover of the album East of Midnight.
1986: Induction into Canadian Music Hall of Fame
In 1986, Gordon Lightfoot was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
1986: Release of East of Midnight album
In 1986, Lightfoot released the East of Midnight album.
1987: Pee Wee Charles Leaves the Band
In 1987, Pee Wee Charles left Lightfoot's band to operate a radio station in Southern Ontario.
1988: Ken Danby completes painting Lightfoot's portrait
Between 1986 and 1988, Ken Danby completed a portrait of Gordon Lightfoot dressed in the white suit he wore on the cover of the album East of Midnight.
1988: Winter Olympics Performance
In 1988, Gordon Lightfoot was a featured musical performer at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Alberta.
1988: Performance at Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
In 1988, Lightfoot performed with Ian Tyson at the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Calgary.
1988: Release of Gord's Gold Volume II compilation
In 1988, Lightfoot released the compilation Gord's Gold Volume II.
1991: Celebrity Captain for Toronto Maple Leafs
In 1991, Gordon Lightfoot was chosen as the celebrity captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs for the NHL's 75th anniversary season.
1992: Celebrity Captain for Toronto Maple Leafs
In 1992, Gordon Lightfoot continued his role as the celebrity captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the NHL's 75th anniversary season.
1993: Release of Waiting for You album
In 1993, Lightfoot released the Waiting for You album.
November 1997: Governor General's Performing Arts Award
In November 1997, Gordon Lightfoot was bestowed the Governor General's Performing Arts Award, Canada's highest honour in the performing arts.
1998: Induction into Canada's Walk of Fame
In 1998, Gordon Lightfoot was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
1998: Release of A Painter Passing Through album
In 1998, Lightfoot released the A Painter Passing Through album.
1999: Rhino Records Release "Songbook"
In 1999, Rhino Records released "Songbook", a four-CD boxed set of Gordon Lightfoot recordings that included rare and unreleased tracks from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, along with a booklet describing his songwriting process and career facts.
April 2000: Taping Live Concert in Reno
In April 2000, Lightfoot taped a live concert in Reno, Nevada, which was later broadcast by CBC in October and as a PBS special across the United States.
April 2001: Performance at Tin Pan South Legends Concert
In April 2001, Lightfoot performed at the Tin Pan South Legends concert at Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, closing the show.
2001: Induction into Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
In 2001, Gordon Lightfoot was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
January 2002: Writing New Songs for Studio Album
By January 2002, Lightfoot had written 30 new songs for his next studio album and recorded guitar and vocal demos of some of these songs.
May 2003: Made a Companion of the Order of Canada
In May 2003, Gordon Lightfoot was made a Companion of the Order of Canada.
2003: Follow-up Surgery and New Recording Contract
In 2003, Lightfoot underwent follow-up surgery for his abdominal condition, signed a new recording contract with Linus Entertainment, and began rehearsing with his band.
January 2004: Completion of "Harmony" Album
In January 2004, Lightfoot completed work on the album "Harmony", which was mostly recorded before his illness.
July 2004: Surprise Comeback Performance
In July 2004, Lightfoot made a surprise comeback performance at Mariposa in Orillia, his first since falling ill, performing "I'll Tag Along" solo.
2005: Better Late Than Never Tour
In 2005, Lightfoot embarked on the 'Better Late Than Never Tour', marking his return to touring after his illness.
2007: Honored with Canada Post postage stamp
In 2007, Canada Post honoured Gordon Lightfoot with a postage stamp highlighting his name and image.
2011: Carter Lancaster Replaces Terry Clements
In 2011, Carter Lancaster replaced Terry Clements in Lightfoot's band after Clements' death. Lightfoot commended him as a "great player".
February 6, 2012: Presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
On February 6, 2012, Gordon Lightfoot was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario.
June 24, 2012: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
On June 24, 2012, Gordon Lightfoot was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in a New York City ceremony.
November 2012: Performance at 100th Grey Cup
In November 2012, Lightfoot performed "Canadian Railroad Trilogy" at the 100th Grey Cup at Rogers Centre, receiving an enthusiastic reception.
2012: Continued Touring
In 2012, Lightfoot continued to tour, performing approximately sixty times a year, including two shows at Ottawa's National Arts Centre after his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
June 16, 2014: SOCAN Lifetime Achievement Award
On June 16, 2014, Gordon Lightfoot was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by SOCAN at the 2014 SOCAN Awards in Toronto.
October 23, 2015: Bronze sculpture unveiled in Orillia
On October 23, 2015, Gordon Lightfoot was honoured with a bronze sculpture in his hometown of Orillia, Ontario.
2016: Royal Albert Hall Concert
Gordon Lightfoot performed a concert at Royal Albert Hall, which was later released as a live album in July 2023.
2016: UK Tour and Interview
In 2016, Lightfoot made his first tour of the United Kingdom in more than 35 years, with 11 dates. In an interview that year, he said his challenge was doing the best show he could.
July 1, 2017: Performance at Canada's 150th Birthday Celebration
On July 1, 2017, Lightfoot performed at Canada's 150th birthday celebration on Parliament Hill, introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, noting that Lightfoot had also played the same stage for Canada's 100th birthday.
2017: Ranked among best Canadian songwriters
In 2017, Gordon Lightfoot was rated fifth in the CBC's list of the 25 best Canadian songwriters ever.
2018: Tours in Canada and the US
Lightfoot's 2017 and 2018 tours included dozens of dates in Canada and the United States.
2019: Documentary release: Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind
In 2019, the documentary "Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind" was released.
2020: Release of "Solo" Album
In 2020, Lightfoot released his 20th studio album, "Solo", unaccompanied by other musicians, marking his return to Warner Music Canada.
October 30, 2022: Final Concert Performance
On October 30, 2022, Lightfoot played what turned out to be his final concert in Winnipeg. Remaining dates were postponed and eventually cancelled due to his declining health.
2022: Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
In 2022, Gordon Lightfoot received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.
