Gordon Lightfoot, the celebrated Canadian singer and songwriter, died at a Toronto hospital on Monday, according to his representative Victoria Lord. His cause of death was not immediately known. He was 84.
His first marriage was to Brita Ingegerd Olaisson in 1963, but the couple divorced in 1973. They had two children together, Fred and Ingrid.
Also read: Who was Jesse McFadden? First victim identified in Oklahoma home deaths
In 1974, Lightfoot married his second wife, Elizabeth Moon. They had a daughter named Meredith, but the couple divorced in 1988. In 2014, Lightfoot married his current wife, Kim Hasse. They had been in a long-term relationship prior to getting married.
Lightfoot was born on November 17, 1938, in Orillia, Ontario. He began his music career in the 1960s and has become one of the most celebrated folk-pop musicians of his time. Lightfoot’s music is characterized by his distinctive voice, poetic lyrics, and intricate guitar work.
His songs often tell stories of love, loss, and the human condition, and have resonated with audiences around the world. Some of his most famous songs include If You Could Read My Mind, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, and Sundown. Throughout his career, Lightfoot has received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to the music industry, including induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada.
Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada, reacted to Lightfoot’s death on Twitter, saying: “We have lost one of our greatest singer-songwriters. Gordon Lightfoot captured our country’s spirit in his music – and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape. May his music continue to inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on forever. To his family, friends, and many fans across the country and around the world: I’m keeping you in my thoughts at this difficult time.”
Despite facing some health issues in recent years, he continued to perform and record music, and remains an influential figure in the Canadian music scene.
