[charlene]

Jimmy Webb -May 3, 2023
·
In 2012 when I was Chairman of the Board of the Songwriters Hall of Fame, I was privileged to preside over the induction of one of my longtime favorite singers and songwriters, Gordon Lightfoot. Those of you who know me well know that I can be as starstruck as the next fellow when the occasion arises, and I was zoned out to be standing next to Gordon Lightfoot pre-show. When the photographers were firing away. I kept looking at him to make sure he was really there. He responded with a convivial Canadian grin, and honestly, he seemed like someone I had known all my life.
Upon reflection, it is apparent that I had known him all my life through his music and his commanding, ever-so-slightly sandpapered vocals. His voice conveyed immediately the impression of a strong and hip rambler of the roads. In fact, the last I saw of him that night, he was walking around on the stage packing up his own gear and laughing with his crew as they stuffed the truck and boarded the bus for the next one-nighter. It’s a life I have lived myself and I have a special attachment to the real troubadours who, in effect, devote their entire lives to performing in places like Butte, Montana, Santa Fe, New Mexico and all roads and venues in between.
I went over to say goodbye to him, and he laughed as I praised my favorite Sundown, and there was just a twinge of sadness when he and the band finally walked out. I only met him once but I was deeply impressed with him, and I have the feeling that if you tapped him with a silver hammer his note would ring true like a giant anvil. I fancy that I can read people, but I think any person who came in contact with Gordon Lightfoot must have realized that he was the real deal. He lived what he sang and he sang what he lived.
What are we going to do without all these golden personas who are leaving us in droves? As I said when I wrote about Charles Watts, “who banged the drums slowly and played the pipes lowly,” another inestimably great artist and authentic figure has left the building.
Love to all,
Jimmy