I remember the first time I saw him on TV. I was about 15, sitting on the floor in the living room, doing Algebra homework. Oh, how I hated Algebra! Mom was watching TV and she got up and switched it to CBC. All of the sudden I heard this beautiful baritone voice singing, "In a castle dark, or a fortress strong..." I had heard the song on the radio a couple of times and liked it, so it really caught my attention. I looked into the TV and there was Gord, about 33, give or take a year or two, bearded, messy curly hair, dressed like a hippy in bell bottoms and sandals, sitting on a stool in the spotlight, playing the guitar and singing just to me. Yes Bru, you have to give it up this time, because he was singing to ME! Both Mom and I were entranced. I can't say that it was his looks that grabbed me first, although looking at him sure didn't cause me any pain! I don't remember going into a teenage, hormonally driven panic or anything at the time, though. I remember thinking he looked very Canadian. I can't put my finger on why I thought that. Maybe it was because I was watching CBC, but I do know he looked every bit as Canadian as Trudeau, Don Messer and Tommy Hunter. Man, oh man, that voice and the fingers caressing that guitar sure did something to me, and whatever it was, I've never gotten over it. Not a day goes by that I don't get caught up in his music, and often find myself thinking "My God! What a voice!" I think the last breath I mutter on this earth will be, "My God! What a voice!" No other artist has inspired me like Lightfoot has. There is no other, not even anybody close. I often listen to other artists, but Gord is the only one who really sings to me.
Cathy
http://www.cathycowette.com