Re: Terry
 

Borderstone wrote:

"I'm going home now to play my copy of the SNL performance and play some Gord Cd's as well."

If that were a Facebook Post, I'd be all over the "Like" button.

Re: Terry
 

Nothing more to add. It's ironic; Saturday night I actually had a couple of hours with nothing in particular to do (doesn't happen often these days), so I turned on our local PBS station in Hartford, and the Live in Reno concert was on. I've always been a bigger Red Shea fan than Terry's, but I noticed some subtle things that he did that gave the Lightfoot sound his own special touch, and I'm sure he's had to make lots of adjustments as Gord's voice has gone through its many changes. He was, by all accounts, an extremely classy, sensitive and self-effacing man, as well as a hell of a musician. Not a bad life at all--just not nearly long enough.
DQ

Re: Terry
 

It's an incredibly sad day for all.
What an amazing musician and from all accounts, an amazing man. I can't imagine how difficult this must be for Terry's family, Gord and the band.
Heaven just added one great guitarist to it's band...

Re: Terry
 

My son is hit hard by the news....he last met Terry in July 2009 at the Wolftrap concert (Vienna, Virginia). He remembers after the concert that they had a great conversation about distracted drivers -- Tim remarked about people who would text while driving and Terry told him a story about a young lady that he saw painting her toenails as she drove LOL. Terry was so down-to-earth and easy to talk to.

Re: Terry
 

This is just devastating. Terry was such an intricate part of the Lightfoot "sound." His playing was something I have always attempted to emulate, and which I have come to respect deeply over the years. On top of his vast talent as one of the greatest lead guitar players in the music business, he was a genuinely nice man, who always had time for the fans. I remember meeting him backstage at Massey Hall in 2001 and asking him about what it was like to join the band in the early 1970s and how he felt knowing he contributed to so many memorable songs. He was as gracious as always, patiently answering my questions and indulging this young fan's passion. To say he will deeply missed is an understatement.

Rest in peace, Terry. Through your timeless, memorable, and inventive playing, you're spirit will be with us in concert halls across the continent in years to come.

Re: Terry
 

on a more light-hearted note, did he ever play guitar standing up?. every photo/video i've seen, he's always been seated. nothing wrong with that of course!

Re: Terry
 

I literally said "Oh NO!" When I read this on the other Lightfoot site. This really makes me sad. I never met him, as so many on this site have. Yet I loved watching him when he would do the guitar solo for CANADIAN RAILROAD TRILOGY in concert.

I can't count how many concerts I've been to, and one of the things I loved about the concerts was seeing Terry up on stage with that talented guitar, and humble smile.

I know that no one gets out of this life alive, but once in awhile, a name like Terry's comes up, and deeply moves me when I realize I'll never see him again. The concerts won't be the same.

Re: Terry
 

I took this at a concert in Tucson. I think it is a sweet picture of a sweet man.

Re: Terry
 

Here's a pic of Terry I took in the mid 90s in Livermore, CA. We had a great time backstage, he showed me Gord's chord changes to Don Quixote, and we had some laughs.

I'm really gonna miss that guy.

Re: Terry
 

That black and white one with the spotlight on him is stunning. If there is a memorial that picture should be in it!

Re: Terry
 

I always loved when we got a good audience and they would applaud Terry's playing on Sundown or his riff on another song - he would have the sweetest smile and be all shy about it, shrugging his shoulders. But he would beam at the recognition.
Every musician in that band has a signature song (for me), SFAWN or WOTEF (Restless is great too) - Barry, Alberta Bound - Mike, Sundown (intro is fantastic) - Rick sometimes they don't get the recognition. Terry stood out on his songs because he did "solos" he loved every second of it. He sure will be missed. I would be a nervous new guy.

Re: Terry
 

When I saw them in the seattle concert in Nov, Terry did a solo on Christian Island that was beautiful. He made his guitar sound like a mandolin, then he stuck out his tongue like it was hard for him to do that. Of course we all loved it. My favorite guitar solos were in I'll do anything and Somewhere USA. I hit rewind on my cds often on those two songs. You are right, Brink, he will be missed and a new guy will surely have his work cut out for him.

Re: Terry
 

Sad, sad news. Condolences to Terry's family and his extended 'Lightfoot' family. Terry was note-perfect at the one concert I attended (Wisconsin 2008).

Re: Terry
 

Sad news. Living in Europe and being a pretty new fan, I never got to see Terry in person but I appreciate the body of work he has left and all the nice things fans have said about him

By a strange coincidence on Sunday I was in the reocrding studio doing a cover of For Loving Me with a friend. The only time I've ever done such a thing. It's funny how the world works.

Re: Terry
 

I've had a weird day too today just listening again to the Lightfoot folio of work and paying closer attention than usual to Terry's part in it all. Hi to Dave from Melbourne - I'm there too and I was at a Gord concert in Wisconsin like you - but in 2006 at the Riverside Theatre in Milwaukee. I got to speak to Gordon and Terry that night. I even spoke to Terry on the afternoon of the concert when I saw him unloading gear from a truck in the alley near the stage door. For a Roady he sure was one hell of a guitarist.

Re: Terry
 

I always loved when he walked offstage at the break with his arms in the air and hands clapping in front of him..And a big grin on his face and he'd come back after the break the same way...
His little bits of fun behind the boss's back were always a treat to watch, especially if Rick, Barry and Mike laughed about it too. And then the bad boy grin he'd have if The Boss turned around to see what was going on..
Kathy K. has givenme permission to post these pics. One is a most beautiful portrait of Terry and the other is very touching as he kneels to speak with Kathy's mum. Terry was her mum's favourite..They will both be at Massey in May.

Re: Terry
 

wonderful pictures. thanks for sharing.

Re: Terry
 

What was his family life?

Re: Terry
 

??

He had two daughters and a son.
As with Lightfoot, all band members day to day private lives are also kept private by them.

Re: Terry
 

Such sad news, words fail me.

Bill :(

Re: Terry
 

The news on Terry reminded me of this thread from Nov 2010 entitled "Concerned about Terry Clements"

http://www.corfid.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=22528

Re: Terry
 

I just read the above mentioned thread and I saw the Lakeland Fl, Greensburg PA and Portsmouth Va shows last year and I never noticed anything odd. Terry and I spoke before the Lakeland show discussing the "flu bug" the boys had been battling. He seemed fine to me all in all.

I am in shock and will greatly miss the T sign we made with our hands to each other as he exited the stage at shows end.

In closing, I am Kevin and this is my first post. Some of ya'll know me and know that I am not much of a talker or "smell me" type. But I want to mention that I am now going to pick up a great pair from a broker for the Greensboro show and I may be making that trip alone so I may have an extra ticket. So, let me know if you have an extra tic or may need an extra. RIP Terry (I am flashing you the T sign)

There's a train down at the station
It's come to carry my bones away
Two engines on
Twenty-one coaches long
End to end
Twenty-one coaches bend

Re: Terry
 

Terrible news, Jenney. I'll never forget that long ago night in Red Bank.

I've been down in the dumps since hearing this.

Cathy

Re: Terry
 

Such sad news. Thanks for the music Terry. RIP

Re: Terry
 

Yea, me too Cathy.

Yesterday I went to try a few tunes but nothing would work. It was a complete downer.

It's clear that when the real effect of something like this hits home, it stays with you for a while.

I remember getting the very same feeling when Red Shea passed on. I guess it's all part of being so closely connected to these guys through the music.

My heart goes out to Gord and the band as well as the friends and family. It must be really a tough blow for all to handle.

RJ.

Re: Terry
 

Welcome to Corfid my friend.

I hope our paths will cross sometime this year. Finally got the signed poster from The Mountaineer framed and up on my wall. I think some of us will always see Terry in his place no matter who sits in that chair. Talk to you soon. :)

DSR

Re: Terry
 

Am really shocked and saddened to hear about Terry. He has played at every Lightfoot concert I've ever been to. I can't imagine a GL concert without him -

Re: Terry
 

I feel sadder today than yesterday. Yesterday the feeling of loss was real but it was tempered by shock. Today as that shock fades, the saddness grows, as I come to terms with the fact that Terry is really gone. I do not want this to be true. Its not right that there should be a world without Terry Clements.

I have so many nice memories of him through the years, including the one I mentioned where he asked Barry H. if I could come backstage after the show. When I did come back, he acted so happy to see me.
But the best memory I have was in Toronto in 1999. I was in town with many of my fellow Lightheads for the Massey Hall gig. Some of us spotted Terry walking down the street. I went up to him and told him of our previous meetings and how much I appreciated his kindness. He smiled, those blue eyes of his lit up as he opened his arms and enveloped me in the warmest hug ever.

Many of you know I used to be vastly overweight and not too many guys or people in general acted thrilled to see me, so that hug was extra special. Gord has also treated me wonderfully over the years.

I've lost most of the weight as some of you know and now people treat me differently, but I will always be grateful to GL and to Terry for their sweetness towards me. I'm glad that I got to thank Terry that one time those many years ago in Toronto, but I was still heavy back then and now that I've lost the weight, I had wished to meet Gord and Terry one more time to let them know how much those joy those brief moments gave me.

Maybe I'll still get the chance with Gord, but it hurts to know that will never happen with Terry. So I'll just send my vibes out to the universe and hope that where ever he is he gets them. So thank you Terry for making this one time fat girl feel pretty and special.
Love and Hugs,
Erica

Re: Terry
 

My God, I just logged on here and this is the first I've heard of this. How awful ... he was the one member of the band I was never able to have a picture taken with and now it shall not happen at all. Rest in peace, condolences to the family and thank you for the great music over the years.

Re: Terry
 

What a moving story. I hope Terry gets your vibes out there. I think all of us are sending them.
I am glad you got a hug from him. He once held his arms out to me for a hug after a concert and I thought the hug was directed at someone behind me. I turned to look and realized there was no one there. Then the moment was gone and I missed a Terry hug. Oh to have that moment back. I am glad you have that wonderful memory.

Re: Terry
 

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Clements family for their loss. I loved his picking on Carefree Highway, or The Watchman's Gone. I hope Gord doesn't pack it up, now - but I can't imagine getting another player, with Red Shea gone, too.

Re: Terry
 

Char, any word on how Gordon is holding up?

Considering that they may have spent more time together collectively than with their respective families given the amount of touring they've done over the years, the feeling of loss among the entire band has got to be enormous.

Re: Terry
 

Massey Hall, 2005. Some nice memories.

Re: Terry
 

it certainly is...thanks, Jenney...my best to his many, many loved ones

lately, i've feared clicking when i've logged in and spotted a 'single name' typed into the Subject line...a few weeks ago it was Bernie's name, and I was quite relieved to find it was a false alarm, and actually a nice, living tribute thread

as for a replacement:
his leads and rhythm may be filled, but the textures and smile he brought, will not

YouTube - 1998 Restless CBC

Re: Terry
 

Indeed. A void in that camaraderie seems impossible to fill in. But I think Lightfoot will find a way. I hope I'm not wrong.

Re: Terry
 

I think we'll have to take Lightfoot's lead as to how the interaction and personalities mesh onstage with the new player...if he's good to go then I think it will help all of us. It's sure gonna be different.

Re: Terry
 

so what film's theme was Gord singing for and who ended up getting the gig?

hints seemed to be:

- it was Burt Reynold's first (title role?) flick, according to www.lightfoot.ca quote
- it was a Paramount film
- it was around 1970s...note: the film may have been in post production for some time

hmmm, Burt's first film with Paramount seemed to be 1974, Longest Yard

http://www.filmreference.com/film/41/Burt-Reynolds.html

but Deliverence (1972) or Navajo Joe seemed to be earlier breakthrough roles

ANYONE have a guess?



btw, i really dig 3 particular tidbits/quotes from that article:

- he reunited with his mother after his years in the orphanage (sigh)

- "want to join a hipper gig" (lol)

- "come up with something" (i really like that one)


there should be a book out there that just details the most interesting uniting of various band members over the past, say, sixty years ...timing is everything ...and i suppose, having a bit of talent can also be worth something

lastly, i've REALLY enjoyed the shared anecdotes and A1 photos in this thread

Re: Terry
 

I believe the group was actually called Giant Sunflower:

Val Garay, Terry Clements, Eddie Hoh, Rick Dey, Patti Phillips

...Val, still quite active with producing and industry involvement

ps) as well as the above tidbit, another testimonial to his playing accolades that came to mind, was that he accompanied ALL acts in that Detroit/Benefit years ago (Lightfoot, Denver, Taylor, Chapin)...a nice hand he received when Gord had him tip his 'cap' to the energized audience

Re: Terry
 

My heart sank when I read the post.

Even as I'm typing this, I'm looking at Terry's autograph on the 'Songbook' poster above my desk with all the band's signatures on it.

The last concert we were at was Aurora, IL last fall. Glad I have some audio/video clips.

My family was the last ones to talk to Terry before they had to leave. We have some video of him singing a song from his "Posthumously Yours" album he was producing for a friend of his who had passed away about 10 years ago. (funny how life is)

We have had so many gracious conversations with Terry over the years. He has literally seen our 3 kids grow up. We even have a great picture of Terry tying my then-2-year old son's shoelace. (how many professional musicians would do that for a child ?????!!!!!)

Right before they had to go, my wife and I thanked them for coming again to Aurora. As he was walking away to leave, he turned around and said, "If it weren't for you guys, we wouldn't even be here!" Those are the last words Terry said to us.

Will there be a thread on which to send condolences directly to his family here on Corfid?

Charlene ?

Re: Terry
 

that was a great night Cathy. I'm glad you two got to reunite in Binghamton last year. I remember how happy he was to see you.

You're right Char, those will be some mighty big slippers to fill. I asked him once about wearing slippers on stage, and he said he liked to feel the pedals under his feet, and couldn't stand how loud his feet sounded on stage. He was bummed about Eaton's closing, he didn't know where he was going to get his slippers anymore.

Typical Terry comment (which I now understand he stole from Rick):

Hey Terry, how are you?
"I've been better, but it cost more"