Very well said Bill. I agree with you to the fullest... :) ~Jesse-Joe~

Hi all,

Was there a concert last night? If so, how is Gord and how did it go? Have been in prayer almost continually for him the last few days. No matter where we go or what we are doing, his songs keep coming to mind.

Louise M.
aka.....lam3346e......aka......aime_41

Hi Louise,

I know he played in Wausau/WI last night and I know for sure the concert was on. But it seems, nobody from the newsgroup went. I guess we have to wait until later this week to get an update about his right hand.
I also just checked the lightfoot.ca site to see if there's already a setlist posted. It isn't yet. I would think if he did two sets with an intermission it would indicate that he's feeling better again.
But like you already said, he's constantly on my mind too. Too bad we can't just call him and ask how he's doing...:)

Claudia

Hi Louise,

I know he played in Wausau/WI last night and I know for sure the concert was on. But it seems, nobody from the newsgroup went. I guess we have to wait until later this week to get an update about his right hand.
I also just checked the lightfoot.ca site to see if there's already a setlist posted. It isn't yet. I would think if he did two sets with an intermission it would indicate that he's feeling better again.
But like you already said, he's constantly on my mind too. Too bad we can't just call him and ask how he's doing...:)

Claudia

I really wanted to go to Wausau. I took a week of vacation when I found out his tour schedule and was all set to do four concerts in five nights, but only got to see two. I couldn't anticipate a tent collapse in Harris, MI and the unexpected demand out of Wausau.

A couple of times this summer I called Wausau and they said they have never sold out on an event on the first day. So I didn't think I would have any problem.

I called in late July and they said they were selling tickets only if you bought tickets to at least four productions in the upcoming season. I explained I was from out-of-town and only wanted to see Gord. I begged for dispensation but they said there shouldn't be any problem if you call on the first day of general sales.

I monitored the website for several weeks and I called the first day of general sales about 11:30 a.m. on my lunch break. Wouldn't you know, the concert was sold out? They said they couldn't believe how fast tickets went.

I was put on a waiting list on August 23. I called Sept. 18 and I was still 22nd on the waiting list. (Started at 30th in line.) They said there were 350+ on the waiting list.

Tried eBay for tickets. Plenty on sale for Vancouver but no luck for Wausau.

So my failure to land Wausau tickets was not due to lack of effort.

Anyway, I hope someone would post from Wausau but these things happen. Please, please, whoever is seeing him in southern Wisconsin and Chicago later this week, post a set list and make some notes for the rest of us.

Thanks to all who have sent me their appreciation for noting the set lists from Sept. 15 and 17 and all the observations. I have learned to write in the dark on a small notebook over the years. I also try to provide what I would like others to do for me when I am not at a concert. That's what makes this group so special.

John/ MN

Hi, I'm a new member and found this board while looking for news on Gordon's health. I was at the concert in Wausau last night. My husband noticed something was wrong right away because he knows a lot about playing a guitar. I've only seen Gordon perform one other time, 12 years ago. Last night his voice was beautiful! Much better than the other time I saw him. He sounded great. He didn't play as long as he would have without health issues, but it was a good concert, sold out and a receptive audience.
He seemed to get frustrated at times but kept right on going. He made a comment "I keep going through adversities and hope this is what I'm doing till the end" not his exact words but similar.
I didn't know of his health problem till he announced it at the concert and there was a gasp from the audience when he told what was going on with his health.
The audience was supportive and I think he was pleased. I enjoyed every minute of it.
I pray he will be ok!

Thanks for posting, Finesse. Did he say exactly what the problem was? He'd mentioned mini-stroke as a possibility last week but was seeing a neurologist while on tour to check him out.

That statement breaks my heart. Gord, keep fighting! We love you so much!

You cant keep a good man down. :cool:

That statement breaks my heart. Gord, keep fighting! We love you so much! [/QUOTE]

He said he had spent the last two days in hospitals and having MRI's He said he had a transient stroke.
I forgot to mention when I posted before, he had a guy named Spider John (I think that's the name?) open for him. Gordon didn't have the stamina to do a lengthy concert. Once out there though, I think he was having a good time, other than a few frustrating moments. He had a great sense of humor and made jokes throughout. He also told little quips about some of the songs. I give him soooo much credit for getting out there and doing what he did. I hope he is not feeling self conscious. He should be very proud!

Thanks for post (Finesse) and welcome to the newsgroup. Your observations are very important because it appeared that no one in the newsgroup was able to get to tickets to the Wausau concert since it sold out so quickly.

Seems like concert-goers in the near future can expect an opening act followed by the "casino" set of 21 or 22 songs. It is very reminscent of concerts back to the 1970's when Gord frequently used an opening act. After about 1980, Gord started doing two sets of about 27-28 songs in total.

Gord was talkative in the Sept 15 concert (Harris, MI) and very personable in the Sept 17 concert (Minneapolis) in the midst of his hand and finger problems. I can't help but wonder if he is compensating for his guitar deficiency by providing a little more crowd interaction. I think most in the audience are 45+ and can empathize with a physical condition and limitations. In no way do I think he is trying to get sympathy; I think he recognizes that people paid good money to see him and deserve an explanation for what is going on.

I am still in awe of his courage and determination. If he were ending a leg of a tour, I wouldn't be as worried. However, he is starting an aggresive six-week stretch (Oct through mid-November) and I am very concerned for him. I sure hope he isn't defying medical advice. This man has nothing left to prove and his health should be paramount.

What starts to worry me is the fact that the symptoms of a TIA are supposed to last only 24 hours or less. But he already has the limitations since Friday afternoon. That certainly brings up the question if there is something even more severe about that "Mini stroke". I don't even dare to think about it.

Finesse - how was his playing affected in Wausau? In Minneapolis he needed to adjust the pick with his left hand constantly and sometimes even dropped it. Was that going any better last night?

Claudia

What starts to worry me is the fact that the symptoms of a TIA are supposed to last only 24 hours or less. But he already has the limitations since Friday afternoon. That certainly brings up the question if there is something even more severe about that "Mini stroke". I don't even dare to think about it.

Finesse - how was his playing affected in Wausau? In Minneapolis he needed to adjust the pick with his left hand constantly and sometimes even dropped it. Was that going any better last night?

Claudia

Hi all,

Finesse, and everyone who just commented, thanks.
Gord has been on my mind all day. The words " 'til the end", cause this sinking feeling in my heart. May that be a lo-n-n-n-n-g time away. May God sustain this wonderful man, who has given so much of himself.

Thanks very much to all who have posted about the recent events. I rarely check this site, but have done so lately, out of concern about Gord. Gord is such a trooper. I am so proud of him, and can't wait to see him, and all of you, in Toronto!

Melissa

He adjusted the pick with his left hand and his mouth. He dropped the pick once that I noticed.
He couldn't maintain a constant strumming pattern on most songs, the only one he really kept up with was Edmund Fitzgerald.
He seemed to want to please the audience and maybe felt he was letting people down, but really I was just so grateful to be able to see him. His voice was marvelous. I remember the last time I saw him 12 years ago and he didn't sound nearly as good then. He sounded great last night.

I too am worried he may be overdoing it. I think he is devoted to his fans but he really needs to take care of himself right now. I know I would have been so disappointed if he would have had to cancel last night but his health comes first.

This show will always be a wonderful memory for me.


Finesse - how was his playing affected in Wausau? In Minneapolis he needed to adjust the pick with his left hand constantly and sometimes even dropped it. Was that going any better last night?

Claudia [/QB][/QUOTE]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by johnfowles:
[QUOTE] "please try again this coming Friday at 9 pm EST at:-
http://www.glchat.notlong.com.
If you, or for that matter anybody else wishing to join in to no doubt discuss the latest news, do not have a non-java applet challenged old computeer you will have to get and install mIRC
John Fowles

John,
went to your site and first encountered a message that said "IRC is not a registered protocol."

Tried the next icon and It kept typing "Trying to resolve the IP address of - usdilexnet.net and then dilexnet.net6667. Then a separate window came up that said "Java Console". Is there anything that can be done to access the chat by Friday.

Prayers for Gord.

My feeling from him saying that is, on stage is where he wants to be and he wants to do this till his time on this earth is through. He didn't say it in a depressed way, it was more like this is where he wants to be and he's glad to be able to still do it. He's very determined and I think he will succeed in getting back to where he was physically if it's possible. I too think he might be overdoing it but I don't think he'd want it any other way.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Finesse:
My feeling from him saying that is, on stage is where he wants to be and he wants to do this till his time on this earth is through. He didn't say it in a depressed way, it was more like this is where he wants to be and he's glad to be able to still do it. He's very determined and I think he will succeed in getting back to where he was physically if it's possible. I too think he might be overdoing it but I don't think he'd want it any other way.
.................................................
Finesse,

Thank you for saying it that way. (You DO have
"Finesse" :) ) And you're right, for him to not be able to perform might be worse for him than
forging ahead as he is doing.

It's been that way with my husband. He is going back to work Monday, after seven months, and now he is getting sick again. But, to tell him he had to retire would probably kill him. It brings to mind Pope John Paul and Mother (Saint) Theresa.
They worked until the very end. And they were people like Gord. They gave everything that they had to give.

Gord may God sustain you and strengthen you.
We LOVE you.

Thanks for the compliment. :)

I don't want to leave anyone with the impression that he seemed depressed and upset. Frustrated at times, yes, but for the most part upbeat, amusing and AMAZING.

I hope your husband will be ok. I'll pray for him as well as GL tonight.

It saddens me to read this thread, I sincerely hope Gordon is going to be okay. I wish we could have seen him in February when he was here in Florida. I'll be fasting & praying for him all day tomorrow.

[ September 20, 2006, 22:11: Message edited by: Tom ]

Like Tom, this thread is getting to be discouraging. Is there anyway, to actually find out the truth, about his situation. Hospital stay, adjusting his pick with, teeth, and left hand.

"The symptoms of a TIA are supposed to last only 24 hours or less. But he already has the limitations since Friday afternoon. That certainly brings up the question if there is something even more severe about that "Mini stroke". I don't even dare to think about it."

I cant understand why the press has not pick up on this. Maybe we Corfidians who love him so dearly, are making more to this, than there really is. But we dont know everthing, so time will tell. Im pretty sure he knows what he's doing.

Cant wait for October 1st, to see how things will be with him. Starting the Canadian leg of the tour.

Dont want to offend anyone, appreciate all your reports,and comments, just overly concerned,{worried}, like you all. Keep those reports coming, when you attend one of his concerts. Lets hope things will get better...~Jesse-Joe~ :)

[ September 21, 2006, 04:53: Message edited by: Jesse -Joe ]

Spider John Koerner is one of two surviving members of the blues/folk trio Koerner, Ray & Glover. He wrote 'I Ain't Blue' which was covered by Bonnie Raitt on her first album. The late Dave Ray recorded Bonnie's first album at his studio in the north woods. For those of us who love his work this would have been a 'dream double-bill'. Koerner opens for Lightfoot, WOW !

Check it out: http://www.mwt.net/~koerner/

Bill :)

Tom, where in Florida do you live? I live in Jacksonville.

Sending prayers and healing thoughts for Gord every day from J-ville.

Mary