[OldDan]

This is my second review of a Lightfoot concert in a week, having attended the Milwaukee concert at the Pabst Theater on June 9.

This one was held at the ornate Coronado Performing Arts Center in Rockford, IL, a 2,400 seat theater built in 1927.

Having a choice seat near the stage, I decided to add some photography to my review this time.

Gordon and the band came onstage promptly at 8pm and it didn’t take me long to realize they were playing virtually the same set list as was performed in Milwaukee.

I have to say Gordon struggled with his vocals during most of this concert, quite a contrast to the Milwaukee show, where he seemed in better voice, a week earlier. I guess it’s just the rigors of touring and the stress it puts on an 80 year-old body. He wasn’t lacking in encouragement from the audience, though, with several shout-outs of “We love you, Gord!” and “You’re awesome, man!” After the end of the first set, he remarked, “I’ll try to get my voice back for the second half”.

The Lightfoot band sounded great, as usual, with stellar guitar solos by Carter Lancaster on “Sundown” and “Baby Step Back”.

Gordon congratulated the Toronto Raptors on their NBA championship, mentioned Drake is building a house right across the street from his and introduced himself, saying rumors of his death had been greatly exaggerated, á la, Mark Twain.

After the show, I walked around back to the stage door and waited with other diehard fans, hoping to just say hi. Having met him a number of times over the years, I’ve acquired enough autographs and pictures taken with him that just saying a few words to him would suffice.

A younger fan with an LP of Sundown was waiting nearby with a Sharpie marker in hand, waiting for that special moment to meet a music legend, as a steady drizzle of rain started to fall.

I don’t think they had a “meet and greet” after this show and I’m not sure if Gordon even does them anymore. The band members, Mike, Carter and Barry soon emerged and chatted briefly with fans before getting into a car and leaving. Anticipation was building for Gord to come out when a couple of fans walked by and announced that Gord had left the building out the front entrance of the theater. The rain began coming down harder, dampening everyone’s spirits and the stage manager soon confirmed to us “Gord had left the building!”, which dispersed the waiting fans pretty quickly. I felt a little sorry for the young fan who was eagerly waiting, but hopefully there will be another opportunity. The afterglow was over, the end of another evening with Gordon Lightfoot.

Set List - Rockford, IL 6/15/19

Now and Then
Waiting for You
The Watchman’s Gone
14 Karat Gold
Minstrel of the Dawn
Christian Island
Make Way for the Lady
Let It Ride
I’d Rather Press On
Beautiful
Carefree Highway
Did She Mention My Name?
Ribbon of Darkness
Sundown

Sweet Guinevere
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Never Too Close
Don Quixote
Shadows
Rainy Day People
A Painter Passing Through
If You Could Read My Mind
Restless
Baby Step Back
Early Morning Rain

(Encore)
Cold on the Shoulder