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‘We should continue on’: Lightfoot Band returns with first tribute show to honour Gordon Lightfoot's legacy
Jan. 27 show at Toronto's El Mocambo set to pay homage to iconic singer-songwriter
Yoyo-Yan
Markham Economist Sun.
The musical legacy of Gordon Lightfoot, a Canadian folksinger whose melodies etched themselves into the hearts of millions, lives on through the Lightfoot Band's upcoming performance, "The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot"
The band, known for its decades of collaboration with Lightfoot, is set to pay homage to the iconic songwriter on Jan. 27, 2024, at Toronto's renowned El Mocambo, starting at 7 p.m. This special event will take place under the glowing lights of the Neon Palms, promising an unforgettable evening of nostalgic melodies.
Featuring the original Lightfoot touring band — comprising Rick Haynes (bass), Barry Keane (drums), Mike Heffernan (keyboards), and Carter Lancaster (lead guitar) — joined by their newest member, lead singer and rhythm guitarist Andy Mauck, the show will showcase selected songs from Lightfoot's illustrious career.
Audience members can expect renditions of classics like "Sundown," "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," "If You Could Read My Mind," "Beautiful," and "Carefree Highway." The band, recognized for crafting the signature "Lightfoot Sound," aims to bring these timeless melodies to life once again.
Lightfoot's rich, plaintive baritone and gift for melodic songwriting made him one of the most popular recording artists of the 1970s. Lightfoot died on May 1, 2023 in Toronto at age 84.
Keane, the band's drummer for 47 years and a longtime Unionville resident, shared sentiments about Lightfoot's passing, describing him not just as a legendary musician but as a humble and talented individual.
“First and foremost, (we remember him) as a friend,” Keane told York Region news. “As the iconic, legendary singer songwriter that he was. As the talented man he was, who remained humble to the end.”
“After the initial period of grieving, we decided as the group who backed Gordon for decades, that we should continue on, by respectfully performing Gordon's great songs,” he said.
Their dedication to maintaining the essence of Lightfoot's compositions led to the decision to proceed with this unique tribute.
“We felt that it was our duty to continue to perform Gordon's great songs, the way he wanted them performed,” said Keane. “Not so much a tribute as a legacy.”
The band has been diligently preparing for the upcoming show, rehearsing with Mauck, an ardent Lightfoot admirer and seasoned solo artist, to ensure a fitting rendition of the timeless classics.
Reflecting on his extensive touring experiences with Lightfoot, Keane highlighted various milestones, from attending TV shows such as Saturday Night Live, The Jimmy Fallon Show to playing Canada Day show on Parliament Hill with Queen Elizabeth in the front row; from performing on esteemed stages like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Royal Albert Hall to meeting notable figures such as Kiefer Sutherland, Kris Kristofferson, Cybill Shepherd, Wayne Gretzky, and Jimmy Buffett.
“Yes, having toured internationally with Gordon Lightfoot for 47 years, you gain a great appreciation for what a wonderful neighbourhood Unionville is,” Keane said.
As the band gears up for this monumental show, their dedication to preserving Lightfoot's musical legacy remains steadfast, ensuring that fans and music lovers alike will experience a remarkable night filled with the cherished melodies that defined an era. (Carl Dunn photos)