Good grief! This thread is an example of how rumors get started. Even Char didn't answer it strongly enough. There is ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO FEAR that 2002 might be Gord's last year touring. Is that strong enough? (Forgive me Char but I'm afraid that someone may glance at this thread and walk away with the feeling that there is some question about it, when there should be none).
In recent years Gord has been doing Massey every 18 months: in May or in November. When he does Massey in November, it might be the end of his tour for that year. He generally doesn't tour in December. However, Massey isn't necessarily the last stop; it wasn't the last time. He had four additional dates at the end of the month. And, of course, it isn't the end of his tour when he does Massey in May. But when it is in November it will be close to the end of the tour, if not the last stop.
And, as Char says, Gord is planning a new original album. He has talked about that several times in last year, after introducing the first of his new songs in November 2000, and following up with two additional ones in early 2001. In the past, he has usually done 6 or 7 of his new songs in concert prior to the release of a new album, so I for one am anticipating some more new ones this year. A great thing to look forward to! 2003 is probably the earliest that we'll see that album, and you can bet that Gord will be out there touring. He has been saying (as Char noted) that he plans to keep going as long as we keep coming to see him. Well, that's a long, long time.
Stop worrying. Stop reading things when there is nothing there. I think Gord is enjoying touring now at least as much as in the past, if not more.
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Valerie Magee
Visit my GL web site at
gordonlightfoot.com