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NAC Presents Gordon Lightfoot on June 15 & 16 in Southam Hall
Events & Entertainment Posted by OttawaStart on May 23, 2012
There are few songs that embody this country more than Gordon Lightfoots Canadian Railroad Trilogy, written in honour of Canadas centennial. In 1969, Lightfoot performed the Canadian Railroad Trilogy at the opening of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, and he has been a frequent visitor to this historic stage ever since. At 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 15 and again Saturday, June 16, 2012, the NAC Presents series, in partnership with BMO Financial Group, welcome Canadas most iconic folk troubadour as he returns to the NAC Southam Hall to entertain legions of fans eager to experience Lightfoots melodic, soulful voice and unmistakable sound. Lightfoot fans can also take in an exhibition commemorating the story of the Canadian Railroad Trilogy with 29 original pastel drawings by Canadian author/illustrator Ian Wallace which runs through to September 29th at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, Ottawa.
Canadian fans have always held a special place in my heart, explains Lightfoot. Our shared cultural experiences have coloured my songs over the years, and performing this music for them live is always such a thrill for me. My memory of this inaugural appearance at the National Arts Centre is particularly special and I look forward to every chance I have to give back to that amazing city.
The NAC Presents series wouldnt be complete without an appearance by the iconic Gordon Lightfoot, said Simone Deneau, Producer of NAC Presents, the National Arts Centres new all-Canadian programming stream that boldly shines the spotlight on contemporary music. You only have to look to the current generation of Canadian singer-songwriterspeople like David Myles and Madison Violet, both of whom were part of NAC Presents this yearto see how important Gordon Lightfoot continues to be. He embodies the spirit of Canadian music, and were tremendously thrilled to have him close our season.
On Thursday, June 14, 2012, immediately prior to this Ottawa performance, Gordon Lightfoot will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame in New York City in the performer category alongside Bob Seger, Don Schlitz, Harvey Schmidt, Tom Jones and Jim Steinman. Earlier this year, Lightfoots long standing Massey Hall residencies were celebrated with the release of a new CD, Gordon Lightfoot: All Live. The collection of live recordings of the finest Massey Hall performances, recorded between 1998 and 2001, features 19 songs; and is notably his first live album in 43 years, and only the second of his career.
Born November 17, 1938 in Orillia, Ontario Gordon Lightfoot studied at Los Angeles Westlake College of Music. He returned to Canada in the early 1960s and began performing at the Riverboat during Toronto's fabled folk scene. In 1966, his debut album Lightfoot! was released. Tracks such as For Lovin' Me, Early Mornin' Rain, Steel Rail Blues and Ribbon of Darkness brought him international recognition as a songwriter. Cover versions of his songs were recorded by artists such as Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, until 1971 when his own version of If You Could Read My Mind became a Top Ten hit. In 1974, his classic single, Sundown, went to No.1 on the American charts, followed two years later by The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, inspired by a Newsweek magazine article; it reached No. 2 on the U.S. Billboard charts. By the 1990s he was mostly touring, giving just fifty concerts a year by 1998, mainly in North America, while he released two albums in the period. In 2004, he released his 20th album Harmony, and appeared as a featured guest on Canadian Idol.
Mr. Lightfoot has won 15 JUNO Awards and been nominated for 5 GRAMMY Awards. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Canadian Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2001. In May 2003 was made a Companion of the Order of Canada and is also a member of the Order of Ontario and in 2004 was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.
NAC-Ottawa
