Lightfoot worried about filling Shea's in Buffalo

[charlene]

http://buffalonews.typepad.com/popst...-lightfoo.html

September 21, 2008
Gordon Lightfoot's triumph at Shea's
When I interviewed Gordon Lightfoot by phone from his Toronto home for the story that appeared in Saturday's newspaper, he had a couple of worries about his Buffalo show.

Jokingly, he fretted over whether the crowd would demand he sing "the hula hoop song," the first tune he ever wrote, as a high-school student, about the hula hoop craze of 1955.

But seriously, he expressed some concern about ticket sales. He was well aware of the size of Shea's Performing Arts Center -- just over 3,000 seats. With that big a house, "It's not going to look too good if there aren't many people there," he noted, matter-of-factly, then added, "Oh well. Whoever comes, we'll have a great show for them."

He needn't have worried. I didn't go into the balcony, but the main floor was almost totally filled, with just a few dozen empty seats in the corners.

As might be expected, many in the crowd were in their 40s or 50s -- of the right age to have had Gordon Lightfoot as a soundtrack to their youth. But there were plenty of people in their 30s and even 20s in the audience.

Gord's age and ill health have affected his voice, as I noted in my review today. But the concert was not only extremely entertaining, but also a poignant experience and a testament to his bravery and fortitude.

Keep on singing, Gord, and we'll turn out to hear you.

-- Anne Neville

[teherie]

From my vantage point in the balcony, (Second row BB behind the railing), the upper deck was pretty full except for the back rows and sides near the top. Personally, I wouldn't sit that far up for any live performance either. I was in the second row for Wicked in July and I got the best seats for Sunday that I could for my 28 year old son and me.

I want the chance to shake Gordon's hand someday. I don't want or need an autograph, just a heartfelt thanks for almost 40 years of musical enjoyment. He's the guy that got me hooked on guitar for life and the reason I have three Martins and two Larrivees including a 12 string.

It was also nice to see Gordon and the band receive the standing O's they deserved. I didn't even have to think about it when he walked out on stage.

[Jesse Joe]

He's the guy that got me hooked on guitar for life and the reason I have three Martins and two Larrivees including a 12 string.

Really impressive guitars teherie !