What does Gord do for fun?

I would love to meet GL someday and tell him
thanks for creating such wonderful music that
I'll be able to share with my family and enjoy for the rest of my life.

I would like to talk to him and ask him a few things. That may never happen. But, many
of you seem to have a real sense for Gord the
person. It's something I know very little about.

I was just wondering if anyone knew what Gord does besides write and play music.
What's he do for fun? Does he have a hobby?
Does he hunt or fish? Hockey is big in Canada. Does he have a favorite hockey team?
Does he like to cook? Does he surf the net?
Does he like to travel?

Is a GL biography available at a book store?
I'm at the point when I'd like to learn a little bit about GL the man. Maybe GL is
just a private person and doesn't want to spill all his personal stuff around. If it's so-then that is OK too.

I would love to meet GL someday and tell him
thanks for creating such wonderful music that
I'll be able to share with my family and enjoy for the rest of my life.

I would like to talk to him and ask him a few things. That may never happen. But, many
of you seem to have a real sense for Gord the
person. It's something I know very little about.

I was just wondering if anyone knew what Gord does besides write and play music.
What's he do for fun? Does he have a hobby?
Does he hunt or fish? Hockey is big in Canada. Does he have a favorite hockey team?
Does he like to cook? Does he surf the net?
Does he like to travel?

Is a GL biography available at a book store?
I'm at the point when I'd like to learn a little bit about GL the man. Maybe GL is
just a private person and doesn't want to spill all his personal stuff around. If it's so-then that is OK too.

"Is a GL biography available at a book store?"

To my knowledge, there are two biographies. Both "unauthorized". The first one from 1979 is "Gordon Lightfoot" by Alfrieda Gabiou and the other is from 1988 "If You Could Read His Mind" by Maynard Collins.
They both are good at relating the timeline of what happened when. There are some personal stories, but since his life has changed so much since the 80's, I am not sure the information would shed much light into what he does for fun now. He used to go "up north" and do alot of fishing but I seem to recall that he said in some interview that he doesn't do that anymore now that he has a young family. I couldn't tell you if the books are still available by special order at a bookstore, but the Gordon Lighfoot section of Ebay often has used copies up for bid.

"Maybe GL is
just a private person and doesn't want to spill all his personal stuff around."

I think that is a pretty fair assessment. Although if you ever get the chance to speak to him personally,(and I hope you do, it is the thrill of ten lifetimes for any fan)you will find that he is very friendly and humble and he will show interest in your life. Like you are just two "equal" strangers getting to know one another. And don't forget the guys in the band. They are just as friendly and interested too.

"If it's so-then that is OK too."

It's okay with me too, titan.

"Is a GL biography available at a book store?"

To my knowledge, there are two biographies. Both "unauthorized". The first one from 1979 is "Gordon Lightfoot" by Alfrieda Gabiou and the other is from 1988 "If You Could Read His Mind" by Maynard Collins.
They both are good at relating the timeline of what happened when. There are some personal stories, but since his life has changed so much since the 80's, I am not sure the information would shed much light into what he does for fun now. He used to go "up north" and do alot of fishing but I seem to recall that he said in some interview that he doesn't do that anymore now that he has a young family. I couldn't tell you if the books are still available by special order at a bookstore, but the Gordon Lighfoot section of Ebay often has used copies up for bid.

"Maybe GL is
just a private person and doesn't want to spill all his personal stuff around."

I think that is a pretty fair assessment. Although if you ever get the chance to speak to him personally,(and I hope you do, it is the thrill of ten lifetimes for any fan)you will find that he is very friendly and humble and he will show interest in your life. Like you are just two "equal" strangers getting to know one another. And don't forget the guys in the band. They are just as friendly and interested too.

"If it's so-then that is OK too."

It's okay with me too, titan.

[TheWatchman]

I have the one by Collins and didn't realize it was "unathorized". Does it say that somewhere on or in the book and I just missed it? It seems as if Lightfoot was interviewed for that biography.

This might be a little off topic, or it might not, but didn't Gord give up canoeing in 1986 or sometime around that time? In the songbook it said he did. But he replaced it with going to the gym and working out and stuff. Thats the only hobby I know of. Of course, he does have other hobbies, but I don't know of them.

This might be a little off topic, or it might not, but didn't Gord give up canoeing in 1986 or sometime around that time? In the songbook it said he did. But he replaced it with going to the gym and working out and stuff. Thats the only hobby I know of. Of course, he does have other hobbies, but I don't know of them.

[StandingOvation]

Well, I'm no authority, by any means. I have no idea what Gord does for fun - other than work on new songs and perfect his performances for his fans. He is blessed to be one of those rare people who does something for a living that he considers "fun." We should all be so lucky. He works out at the gym, he runs, and I'll bet he gets back to doing just that as soon as his health permits. He says that he DOES NOT surf the net - but his kids do, and that's why it's important that we don't say things we shouldn't say. Yes, he's private. But, as was already mentioned, he is warm and friendly when you talk to him after concerts, and he is very appreciative of us, his fans.

Melissa

[mjoe]

Well, I'm no authority, by any means. I have no idea what Gord does for fun - other than work on new songs and perfect his performances for his fans. He is blessed to be one of those rare people who does something for a living that he considers "fun." We should all be so lucky. He works out at the gym, he runs, and I'll bet he gets back to doing just that as soon as his health permits. He says that he DOES NOT surf the net - but his kids do, and that's why it's important that we don't say things we shouldn't say. Yes, he's private. But, as was already mentioned, he is warm and friendly when you talk to him after concerts, and he is very appreciative of us, his fans.

Melissa

Maynard Collins did "interview" Gord, but the biography is considered "unauthorized" as it was not requested or condoned by Gord. And unauthorized biographies will not admit that they are unauthorized. Why, I don't know, because it seems to me to admit this would increase sales. A chance to get the real dirt instead of only what the subject wants you to know. And a piece of friendly unsolicited advice, Watchman, since you have the book. Save yourself some negative karma...don't ever bring it to Gord to autograph. He won't. It's the only time I've ever heard him be anywhere in the neighborhood of rude. I read once where a fan asked him to do that and not only did he refuse, but made some derogatory (sp?) remark about Maynard. I don't think Maynard did formal interviews, but casual elbow-rubbing conversations with Gord and his friends without revealing his intentions. Then filled in the gaps with previously published information and conversations with Gord's not-so-close friends.

Don't know this for a fact, but have heard this version from more than one source. It may very well be one of those urban legends. But I wouldn't chance upsetting Gord just to find out. I have plenty of other Gordoblia that needs autographing!

Come back soon, Gord!

Maynard Collins did "interview" Gord, but the biography is considered "unauthorized" as it was not requested or condoned by Gord. And unauthorized biographies will not admit that they are unauthorized. Why, I don't know, because it seems to me to admit this would increase sales. A chance to get the real dirt instead of only what the subject wants you to know. And a piece of friendly unsolicited advice, Watchman, since you have the book. Save yourself some negative karma...don't ever bring it to Gord to autograph. He won't. It's the only time I've ever heard him be anywhere in the neighborhood of rude. I read once where a fan asked him to do that and not only did he refuse, but made some derogatory (sp?) remark about Maynard. I don't think Maynard did formal interviews, but casual elbow-rubbing conversations with Gord and his friends without revealing his intentions. Then filled in the gaps with previously published information and conversations with Gord's not-so-close friends.

Don't know this for a fact, but have heard this version from more than one source. It may very well be one of those urban legends. But I wouldn't chance upsetting Gord just to find out. I have plenty of other Gordoblia that needs autographing!

Come back soon, Gord!

[BILLW]

I've often wondered what people who are performers/recording artists do on a day to day basis. Most of us get up, go to work, come home, look forward to the weekend (unless we work on the weekend) it's strange to think of living life where you dont have to get up at the same time each day. I'm sure successful, seasoned artists like Gord
have a schedule they stick to as when to write, when to practice your instrument of choice, when to rehearse, etc. When Gord's
activly on the road he's usually gone from home from, like, Thursday to Sunday, so that's a "schedule" but on the off season,
Nov to March his time is his own...so it's weird to think of how to fill it up.
I get the feeling that, while pretty intelligent, he may not necessarily be in the midst of reading a book at any given time, tho I think he's probably read his share of Canadian history...I get the feeling he's a big newspaper reader. He's only slightly interested in the internet. I doubt he's very much into DVD's, Hi-Def television, home theater, etc, altho he could afford it...probably like most age 60-something people he's into what his grandkids, and kids are doing. And having a significantly younger wife can keep you on your toes.
I wonder if he hangs out with Terry, Rick and the rest of his band. Is he like an uncle to the kids of the guys in his band...
however he spends his time, with what has happened over the last few months, I'm sure
he appreciates just being here....

[Rob1956]

I've often wondered what people who are performers/recording artists do on a day to day basis. Most of us get up, go to work, come home, look forward to the weekend (unless we work on the weekend) it's strange to think of living life where you dont have to get up at the same time each day. I'm sure successful, seasoned artists like Gord
have a schedule they stick to as when to write, when to practice your instrument of choice, when to rehearse, etc. When Gord's
activly on the road he's usually gone from home from, like, Thursday to Sunday, so that's a "schedule" but on the off season,
Nov to March his time is his own...so it's weird to think of how to fill it up.
I get the feeling that, while pretty intelligent, he may not necessarily be in the midst of reading a book at any given time, tho I think he's probably read his share of Canadian history...I get the feeling he's a big newspaper reader. He's only slightly interested in the internet. I doubt he's very much into DVD's, Hi-Def television, home theater, etc, altho he could afford it...probably like most age 60-something people he's into what his grandkids, and kids are doing. And having a significantly younger wife can keep you on your toes.
I wonder if he hangs out with Terry, Rick and the rest of his band. Is he like an uncle to the kids of the guys in his band...
however he spends his time, with what has happened over the last few months, I'm sure
he appreciates just being here....

[Borderstone]

If you read the little book that comes with the Songbook collection,it says he used to take canoe trips on the river. That's why he wrote Canary Yellow Canoe. Before he got sick,he had already retired from taking those trips. Too bad,sounds like a fun hobby.

------------------
Borderstone

I do know that he is a big hockey fan, he is the honorary captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

I do know that he is a big hockey fan, he is the honorary captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Steve H (and all),
Thanks for the info. I am a hockey fan too!!
That is great information and interesting too! I wonder if Gord ever hunted mushrooms in the spring? I could show him some great mushroom finding spots that are top secret.

Thanks!!
Titan

Steve H (and all),
Thanks for the info. I am a hockey fan too!!
That is great information and interesting too! I wonder if Gord ever hunted mushrooms in the spring? I could show him some great mushroom finding spots that are top secret.

Thanks!!
Titan

[Wingdrops]

Char told us a few years ago that she attended a Blue Jays baseball game where it was announced that Gord was in the crowd at the ballpark.

It's too bad that Toronto doesn't have any "MAJOR" league sports teams anymore.



(Sorry, Char. Couldn't resist!)


2Much2Lose loves
NY Yankees-NJ Devils
'cos they are 2Good2Lose



------------------
"And the laughter came too easy for life to pass me by."

[2Much2Lose]

Char told us a few years ago that she attended a Blue Jays baseball game where it was announced that Gord was in the crowd at the ballpark.

It's too bad that Toronto doesn't have any "MAJOR" league sports teams anymore.



(Sorry, Char. Couldn't resist!)


2Much2Lose loves
NY Yankees-NJ Devils
'cos they are 2Good2Lose



------------------
"And the laughter came too easy for life to pass me by."

[Restless]

Gord use to be into expedition canoeing. He has done 8 or 9 major expeditions into Northern Canada on such rivers as the Kazan, Thelon, Coppermine and George rivers to name a few. His trips have inspired many of his songs including Canary Yellow Canoe, Whispers of the North, Home From The Forest for example. If your ever in a bookstore, check out the book by Cliff Jacobson regarding canoe expeditions. Its his earlier one NOT the most recent one. There are 2-3 pictures of Gord and friends trying to retrieve Gords bent in half canoe from a rock and job jam where they upset. I gues it was quite a bitch getting the canoe out, but they did and were able to salvage it.

[fowlesjohn]

that must have been quite a trip then after that serious of an incident, did he go on many more after that?
GSS

[gwen snyder]

that must have been quite a trip then after that serious of an incident, did he go on many more after that?
GSS