Restless, I'd Rather Press On, A Painter Passing Thru, or If You Could Read My Mind.

I think the little pamplet in songbook is already named "If You Could Read My Mind", so maybe that one will be taken...

Hi Billw. I agree about the title having to be something that the typical consumer would associate with Gordon Lightfoot. I like "If You Could Read His Mind" stated earlier by John Fowles.

Actually, according to Wayne Francis' website, "If You Could Read His Mind" has been used before, a biography of Lightfoot by a Maynard Collins. Again, this topic sought to deal with the title for an "AUTObiography". I don't think Lightfoot talks in the third person.

IF all it said on the cover was GORDON LIGHTFOOT by Gordon Lightfoot it would generate interest and sales..
;)

from the phone call:

CHAR: I asked you this one time before, and I know you talked about it at Massey either this last concert series or in 2005, about writing a book about the life of Gordon Lightfoot.

G.L.: Oh yeah…well I’ve decided against doing that. I had to make a decision on that last year and I decided not to do it.

CHAR: No?

G.L.: No.

CHAR: Wow, that’s going to be a disappointment to a lot of people.

G.L.: That’s all right.

CHAR: We will just live your life through your music I guess.

G.L.: My old manager Albert Grossman used to say “it won’t make the coffee taste any different in the morning.” (laughing) Whether there’s a book or not…...it doesn’t matter.

CHAR: No it doesn’t matter….that’s very true. It’s just that in this day and age where you’ve got kids that are writing their life story because they’ve made a movie or had a hit song…and THEY have a life story? They’re only 19! (laughing) It would be nice though. It wouldn’t have to have all the nitty gritty but just as a one focus sort of idea.

G.L.: Ya know…. it would be a nice thing to do….maybe later when I’m doing a memoir or something after I’ve stopped touring. You know really the touring takes up a lot of the time. I don’t know, it really does. We have to stay prepared all the time. We rehearse regularly between times. I don’t have the whole band here….but I sometimes have Michael here, maybe Terry or Rick and Terry.

IF all it said on the cover was GORDON LIGHTFOOT by Gordon Lightfoot it would generate interest and sales..
;)

from the phone call:

CHAR: I asked you this one time before, and I know you talked about it at Massey either this last concert series or in 2005, about writing a book about the life of Gordon Lightfoot.

G.L.: Oh yeah…well I’ve decided against doing that. I had to make a decision on that last year and I decided not to do it.

CHAR: No?

G.L.: No.

CHAR: Wow, that’s going to be a disappointment to a lot of people.

G.L.: That’s all right.

CHAR: We will just live your life through your music I guess.

G.L.: My old manager Albert Grossman used to say “it won’t make the coffee taste any different in the morning.” (laughing) Whether there’s a book or not…...it doesn’t matter.

CHAR: No it doesn’t matter….that’s very true. It’s just that in this day and age where you’ve got kids that are writing their life story because they’ve made a movie or had a hit song…and THEY have a life story? They’re only 19! (laughing) It would be nice though. It wouldn’t have to have all the nitty gritty but just as a one focus sort of idea.

G.L.: Ya know…. it would be a nice thing to do….maybe later when I’m doing a memoir or something after I’ve stopped touring. You know really the touring takes up a lot of the time. I don’t know, it really does. We have to stay prepared all the time. We rehearse regularly between times. I don’t have the whole band here….but I sometimes have Michael here, maybe Terry or Rick and Terry.

The Legend Lives On...

The Legend Lives On...

Paul Shaffer (Letterman bandleader and former bandleader on Saturday Night Live) is writing a book. Perhaps he'll have a story about Lightfoot's visit to the show..

Shaffer's Showbiz Memoir
The multi-talented Paul Shaffer is about to add another credit to his already impressive resume: author.
Flying Dolphin Press announced that they have signed Shaffer to pen a memoir of his life in show business.
The book will detail Shaffer's experiences on "Saturday Night Live" through his twenty-five-plus year association with David Letterman on both "Late Night with David Letterman" and "The Late Show with David Letterman," and more.
"These anecdotes have been accumulating in my mind for the past three-plus decades; it's been a nutty ride, and I felt it imperative to finally commit my reflections to the page... at least Volume One," said Shaffer.
"Paul Shaffer is an enormously accomplished musician and a versatile entertainer who has won the affection of millions of loyal fans for his unique blend of talents and signature sense of humor," said Flying Dolphin Publisher Suzanne Herz. "Readers will delight in his wit and in the unique perspective on the world of show business that he will bring to his book."
All we can say is, "Yeah, yeah, YEAH!"

Paul Shaffer (Letterman bandleader and former bandleader on Saturday Night Live) is writing a book. Perhaps he'll have a story about Lightfoot's visit to the show..

Shaffer's Showbiz Memoir
The multi-talented Paul Shaffer is about to add another credit to his already impressive resume: author.
Flying Dolphin Press announced that they have signed Shaffer to pen a memoir of his life in show business.
The book will detail Shaffer's experiences on "Saturday Night Live" through his twenty-five-plus year association with David Letterman on both "Late Night with David Letterman" and "The Late Show with David Letterman," and more.
"These anecdotes have been accumulating in my mind for the past three-plus decades; it's been a nutty ride, and I felt it imperative to finally commit my reflections to the page... at least Volume One," said Shaffer.
"Paul Shaffer is an enormously accomplished musician and a versatile entertainer who has won the affection of millions of loyal fans for his unique blend of talents and signature sense of humor," said Flying Dolphin Publisher Suzanne Herz. "Readers will delight in his wit and in the unique perspective on the world of show business that he will bring to his book."
All we can say is, "Yeah, yeah, YEAH!"

Respose to the following statement:

=======================================
G.L.: My old manager Albert Grossman used to say “it won’t make the coffee taste any different in the morning.” (laughing) Whether there’s a book or not…...it doesn’t matter.
=======================================

Sorry G.L..... I don't agree... It DOES matter!

There are too few heros nowadays.... and the world still needs heros.

We need to keep the ones we still have, and we need to hear their stories. (The ones that don't turn out to have feet of clay.)

100+ years from now, it will still matter.
Tell the story and keep it straight. Or someone else will tell it crooked.

My recommendation for a title: "Modest Hero".
Subtitle: "Gordon Lightfoot - Man and Bard"

Respose to the following statement:

=======================================
G.L.: My old manager Albert Grossman used to say “it won’t make the coffee taste any different in the morning.” (laughing) Whether there’s a book or not…...it doesn’t matter.
=======================================

Sorry G.L..... I don't agree... It DOES matter!

There are too few heros nowadays.... and the world still needs heros.

We need to keep the ones we still have, and we need to hear their stories. (The ones that don't turn out to have feet of clay.)

100+ years from now, it will still matter.
Tell the story and keep it straight. Or someone else will tell it crooked.

My recommendation for a title: "Modest Hero".
Subtitle: "Gordon Lightfoot - Man and Bard"

If we're sticking to song titles, how about "Ordinary Man" subtitled the extraordinary life and times of Gordon Lightfoot.

If we're sticking to song titles, how about "Ordinary Man" subtitled the extraordinary life and times of Gordon Lightfoot.

agreed, char - IYCRMM or 'Legend Lives On' have been overused as article headlines over the years but they still could be fresh to many...love In My Fashion but wasn't that used by Don Cheery? lol

stick with my first reponse, a lyric even fits

"And when the show is over...another tale to tell"

agreed, char - IYCRMM or 'Legend Lives On' have been overused as article headlines over the years but they still could be fresh to many...love In My Fashion but wasn't that used by Don Cheery? lol

stick with my first reponse, a lyric even fits

"And when the show is over...another tale to tell"

While I would definitely purchase an autobiography, it would also be interesting if Lightfoot wrote a book on songwriting the way Jimmy Webb did:

http://www.amazon.com/Tunesmith-Inside-Songwriting...

While I would definitely purchase an autobiography, it would also be interesting if Lightfoot wrote a book on songwriting the way Jimmy Webb did:

http://www.amazon.com/Tunesmith-Inside-Songwriting...

cool idea, a songwriting journal would be wonderful - when he speaks of the process or inspirations, those are always my fave interview segments

autobiog or otherwise, the question is also what era pic would be used for the book cover? (there's so many faces of Gordon)

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3...journalmm2.jpg

cool idea, a songwriting journal would be wonderful - when he speaks of the process or inspirations, those are always my fave interview segments

autobiog or otherwise, the question is also what era pic would be used for the book cover? (there's so many faces of Gordon)

http://img390.imageshack.us/img390/3...journalmm2.jpg

JJ, you chose a favourite look and one of my fave Gord songs. He was one sexy so-and-so back then, wasnt he? ;)

this is an interesting topic...
CHar and Florian have the rights to interesting topics found here.
Gord is a man in the Bard sense... it seems Shakespeare had his "unknown qualities", too?
What era would pervade his memoir's? I would hope his current mindset. He seems happiest and/or content in his current state... not driven by demons or other topics.

this is an interesting topic...
CHar and Florian have the rights to interesting topics found here.
Gord is a man in the Bard sense... it seems Shakespeare had his "unknown qualities", too?
What era would pervade his memoir's? I would hope his current mindset. He seems happiest and/or content in his current state... not driven by demons or other topics.

I would think it to be an arduous task for him to write/publish a 'complete' autobiography....I'm thinking more than one volume for sure. So when you mention his current mindset, had me wondering how nice it would be to read about the more current past - perhaps 2 decades.

Personally, I am not a big fan of autobiographies or biographies for that matter. I prefer the latter, if the author has a keen interpretation of the facts. And lots of photos of course.

I'm still trying to get through Samuel Fuller's...and he had been documenting events, writing articles/books for many, many years. His early years are great to read about, but are withstanding the details of his later life...which are better documented, and easier to be able to verify, etc. So far a good read.

I appreciated reading a Roy Orbison biography, and obviously, the tragedies in his life are that which are difficult for anyone to write about. It was very emotional to read.

Not that I would question GL's ability to pen a full autobiography, certainly if it matches that of his genius in writing lyrics. But I feel that it would be too arduous a task for him to have to 'weed' out or otherwise lump all the details in order so that the reader could at least have a sense of what was going on at certain times.

And then what he may want to provide more greater detail about, may be that which the reader may not find so particularly interesting (though I doubt that would be the case). I would cling to every word of any subject he may write about! If he decided to write a cookbook, I would be on the Gordon Lightfoot diet for the rest of my life.

I'd be willing to bet that GL has many 'excerpts' of his memoirs that would be a great supplement to a biography. He may have unpublished/unfinished lyrics which are autobiographical. Certainly, many of his published works are.

Sometimes songwriting works like this. Portions of lyrics and music may be written over a period of time...not intending to be the same song but, when put together...voila, a complete work.

I'd also be willing to bet that he's been meticulous in his record keeping and has maintained a wonderful paper archive as well as general collections. Probably all cataloged and digitized...kept in a climate-controlled facility, etc. Didn't he tell Char that he has a lot of stuff...hmmmm. I wonder if he still has that very awesome white lace shirt... :D

These collections, when/if on public display will also serve to tell the story. As a researcher/historian and museum interpretive guide (and collections manager, etc), I love being able to do this! And still after 7 years of research, etc., in my subject area...I'm still not an expert!

hehe maybe it would be fun to start a thread to name a Gordon Lightfoot museum and archives.

Having been perusing this discussion board quite heavily for almost a week now (and here and there over the past few months), I feel like I've found out everything I've ever wanted to know about Gordon Lightfoot and much about what I didn't know I'd like to know and am glad to :D

This board is much more fun :) to read than a biography. And especially Char's interview with GL! I certainly agree with others who feel she would be well suited to write a GL book.

Wow I've read that interview at least 10 times so far! I know I wouldn't have been able to have come up with such great [objective] questions, let alone maintain my composure! Well, I know that for a fact since the one opportunity I had to talk with GL...the question I asked him didn't come out right at all! He was so good about it though!

I was totally unprepared for what followed (and even if I had been...no matter) when he asked me a couple of questions and that's when I totally lost my composure. For sure I wanted to respond adequately, and if not that this thought kept running through my head, "OMG, Gordon Lightfoot is asking me a question!"

Well I have celebrityphobia and it's too bad but at least I've had some oppotunity. Char on the otherhand, the GL interview was particularly nice because the [very excellent] questions and conversation just flowed so nicely.

Just like Gwen's mention of Gord and Shakespeare in the same sentence...just flows together rather nicely!

Pam

I would think it to be an arduous task for him to write/publish a 'complete' autobiography....I'm thinking more than one volume for sure. So when you mention his current mindset, had me wondering how nice it would be to read about the more current past - perhaps 2 decades.

Personally, I am not a big fan of autobiographies or biographies for that matter. I prefer the latter, if the author has a keen interpretation of the facts. And lots of photos of course.

I'm still trying to get through Samuel Fuller's...and he had been documenting events, writing articles/books for many, many years. His early years are great to read about, but are withstanding the details of his later life...which are better documented, and easier to be able to verify, etc. So far a good read.

I appreciated reading a Roy Orbison biography, and obviously, the tragedies in his life are that which are difficult for anyone to write about. It was very emotional to read.

Not that I would question GL's ability to pen a full autobiography, certainly if it matches that of his genius in writing lyrics. But I feel that it would be too arduous a task for him to have to 'weed' out or otherwise lump all the details in order so that the reader could at least have a sense of what was going on at certain times.

And then what he may want to provide more greater detail about, may be that which the reader may not find so particularly interesting (though I doubt that would be the case). I would cling to every word of any subject he may write about! If he decided to write a cookbook, I would be on the Gordon Lightfoot diet for the rest of my life.

I'd be willing to bet that GL has many 'excerpts' of his memoirs that would be a great supplement to a biography. He may have unpublished/unfinished lyrics which are autobiographical. Certainly, many of his published works are.

Sometimes songwriting works like this. Portions of lyrics and music may be written over a period of time...not intending to be the same song but, when put together...voila, a complete work.

I'd also be willing to bet that he's been meticulous in his record keeping and has maintained a wonderful paper archive as well as general collections. Probably all cataloged and digitized...kept in a climate-controlled facility, etc. Didn't he tell Char that he has a lot of stuff...hmmmm. I wonder if he still has that very awesome white lace shirt... :D

These collections, when/if on public display will also serve to tell the story. As a researcher/historian and museum interpretive guide (and collections manager, etc), I love being able to do this! And still after 7 years of research, etc., in my subject area...I'm still not an expert!

hehe maybe it would be fun to start a thread to name a Gordon Lightfoot museum and archives.

Having been perusing this discussion board quite heavily for almost a week now (and here and there over the past few months), I feel like I've found out everything I've ever wanted to know about Gordon Lightfoot and much about what I didn't know I'd like to know and am glad to :D

This board is much more fun :) to read than a biography. And especially Char's interview with GL! I certainly agree with others who feel she would be well suited to write a GL book.

Wow I've read that interview at least 10 times so far! I know I wouldn't have been able to have come up with such great [objective] questions, let alone maintain my composure! Well, I know that for a fact since the one opportunity I had to talk with GL...the question I asked him didn't come out right at all! He was so good about it though!

I was totally unprepared for what followed (and even if I had been...no matter) when he asked me a couple of questions and that's when I totally lost my composure. For sure I wanted to respond adequately, and if not that this thought kept running through my head, "OMG, Gordon Lightfoot is asking me a question!"

Well I have celebrityphobia and it's too bad but at least I've had some oppotunity. Char on the otherhand, the GL interview was particularly nice because the [very excellent] questions and conversation just flowed so nicely.

Just like Gwen's mention of Gord and Shakespeare in the same sentence...just flows together rather nicely!

Pam