[Mr. Moon]

Yes, Friday night was a night to remember. My wife and I went down to Cincinnati, which is about one hour south of where I live. Right across the street from the Aronoff Theater is a Scottish Pub that we like to frequent (only once in a while...a bit expensive). We had a wonderful meal and then walk right across the street to the theater. This theater is a wonderful place with two balconies and is quite nice. We had seats on the floor, but about 5 rows form the back. They were still nice seats. Actually, they were nicer seats than I had when I saw Gord in Cailf in the late 70's. Anyway, the mood was set...then here comes Gord strolling on out!! He started with Cotton Jenny and ended with Old Dan's Records for the encore. I was so disappointed he didn't do Don Quixote and Song For a Winter's Night. I love those songs. I should have yelled, " Do Don Quixote"! But of course, that would have embarrassed my wife...and that's not good.

Gord was in great form in both music and humor, although his voice isn't what it used to be...he's still THE MAN! It's amazing at 69 that he can do what he is still doing. Barry, Mike, Rick and Terry did a superb job backing him as usual. (boy, I wish I could play like Terry). Below is an interview our local paper did with Gord...enjoy TTYL, George




Gordon Lightfoot left heavy footprints on the pop charts during the 1970s with such hits as “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Rainy Day People,” “Carefree Highway” and “Sundown.” We caught up with the singer-songwriter, now 69, in conjunction with his April 4 appearance at the Aronoff.

Your most recent album, “Harmony,” came out four years ago, but it was something of a departure for you. That album was an afterthought. I had an illness and did it independently.


read that you were in a coma for several weeks.That was at the beginning, but the illness kept me down for two years.

It was an abdominal problem?
It was a burst artery which caused an abdominal hemorrhage. The leak came from the aorta.

How are you feeling these days?
Good. They totally rearranged my entire lower section. The album turned out well. They’re rough tracks, though they’re really fresh.

Do you have a record deal now?
I don’t want a record deal. My last one ended in 1998. I’d had a record deal since 1965, 31 years when I just ate and slept songwriting, on deadline throughout. I did 19 original albums – the 20th was the independent one.

Any plans to do more recording?
No, not really. We’re having a wonderful time doing shows, 50-60 shows all over North America. We’re doing 10 shows in 12 days on the tour that includes Cincinnati. We have three more tours coming up this year. Between them we charge our batteries, look after our families and our responsibilities.

Of all the artists who have covered your songs, which covers do you like most?
There are seven or eight who stand out. Elvis, Barbra Streisand, Dylan; Peter, Paul and Mary. The Kingston Trio, even. They did a version of “Early Morning Rain.”

What singers or songwriters do you think you’ve influenced?
There are a few who’ve said I’ve influenced them, but probably no one luminous.

You started out in jazz; what led you into folk singing?
I got interested during the big folk revival. The folk boom was under way about 1960, ’61. I started playing guitar when I was 15. My big influences were Pete Seeger, the Weavers and a lesser-known guy named Bob Gibson.

What sort of mix will you have in your Cincinnati show?
We do (the hit songs) but I don’t have to lay that on too thick. People expect to hear them. We usually try to field a couple of requests.



Humorists have parodied and otherwise poked fun at “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” with Dave Barry among those who’ve called it one of the worst songs of all time. What’s your reaction?
You can tell them that at least it’s in chronological order. I did my research.

Any projects in the works other than the tours?
There’s an Imax movie coming out in May, “Mysteries of the Great Lakes.” “Edmund Fitzgerald” is on it.




Gord at the Aronoff Friday, 4/4/08