If you were to meet gordon..

[Paul J B]

Okay here is a topic:
If you were to meet Gordon Lightfoot and had say 20 minutes of his time what would you say or ask?.. I think I would ask how it feels to be such an inspiration to so many people.


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Ever Onward...

[Chuck Darling]

Okay here is a topic:
If you were to meet Gordon Lightfoot and had say 20 minutes of his time what would you say or ask?.. I think I would ask how it feels to be such an inspiration to so many people.


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Ever Onward...

Whoa!! Chuck, I was going to post the same question this morning except I was going to say 2 minutes instead of 20 minutes. I don't have an answer yet, but I must say, it's a great question! I'll be back though.
BTW in case anyone wants a more in depth definition of the Navvies in the Canadian Railway Trilogy I put it under "Small Talk" on this board.

Whoa!! Chuck, I was going to post the same question this morning except I was going to say 2 minutes instead of 20 minutes. I don't have an answer yet, but I must say, it's a great question! I'll be back though.
BTW in case anyone wants a more in depth definition of the Navvies in the Canadian Railway Trilogy I put it under "Small Talk" on this board.

If I had 20 minutes with Gordon Lightfoot, what I would really like to ask him about is what he was thinking of with when he wrote some of his lyrics. That's probably not a polite thing to do but that's what I would really like to know.
I know one thing I would NEVER ask him even if I had met him 20 times. "Do you remember me?" I've seen and heard people say that to famous people and it's almost funny to watch the mixture of expressions that pass over the person's face wondering if they should really know them or not. I'd never want to do that to someone.

If I had 20 minutes with Gordon Lightfoot, what I would really like to ask him about is what he was thinking of with when he wrote some of his lyrics. That's probably not a polite thing to do but that's what I would really like to know.
I know one thing I would NEVER ask him even if I had met him 20 times. "Do you remember me?" I've seen and heard people say that to famous people and it's almost funny to watch the mixture of expressions that pass over the person's face wondering if they should really know them or not. I'd never want to do that to someone.

[LouiseAnne]

You know, if you got the chance to talk with him, Gord would be most happy if you would just talk about you and the things you're into. He really likes to hear personal stuff like that.

Stay loose, eh?

LAMS

------------------
"Love and maple syrup
go together like the
sticky winds of winter
when they meet....
If you go into the forest
Gaze up through the trees
The sky is white.
You can understand
What makes the forest
Greet the man
Like a mother's only
child ..."

[loveandmaplesyrup]

You know, if you got the chance to talk with him, Gord would be most happy if you would just talk about you and the things you're into. He really likes to hear personal stuff like that.

Stay loose, eh?

LAMS

------------------
"Love and maple syrup
go together like the
sticky winds of winter
when they meet....
If you go into the forest
Gaze up through the trees
The sky is white.
You can understand
What makes the forest
Greet the man
Like a mother's only
child ..."

[char]

I met Gordon at his home while out trick or treating with my kids in Rosedale. He was playing the guitar in the foyer of his home waiting for kids to come and get a treat. My kids knew who he was and what he meant to me so they were a little dumbstruck as was I. He talked about his kid and that he had him out earlier and the wife was putting him to bed. We talked about the renovations on his home that were being done at that time and the cost of maintaining an old house. We chatted about his upcoming shows at Massey and the costumes the kids were wearing. He mentioned how great it was that he could pretty well walk to his Massey Hall job if he wanted to and thanked us for coming by when we told him we were in Toronto from out of town. He was extremely humble and very,very soft spoken. We didn't really talk about HIM - GORDON LIGHTFOOT, and I think he liked it that way. I had a camera but could never have imposed on him in his own home.
char

[Wes Steele]

Char, that picture would have been something, though.

Wes

[thumbs]

Interesting topic for which I have a simple answer. I would hold my hand out and thank him for his music. Then with the remaining 191/2 minutes I would ask him to perform a few numbers, assuming he had his guitar in hand. Perhaps 'Knotty Pine' or 'Christian Island' or 'Ringneck Loon' or 'Beautiful' would be appropriate. I would definitely request 'Beautiful' if my wife were present.

"High-steppin' strutters who land in the gutter sometimes need one too"

GL

[potter]

Interesting topic for which I have a simple answer. I would hold my hand out and thank him for his music. Then with the remaining 191/2 minutes I would ask him to perform a few numbers, assuming he had his guitar in hand. Perhaps 'Knotty Pine' or 'Christian Island' or 'Ringneck Loon' or 'Beautiful' would be appropriate. I would definitely request 'Beautiful' if my wife were present.

"High-steppin' strutters who land in the gutter sometimes need one too"

GL

[dill23]

I am proud to say that some years ago I was doing a GL imatation in the Salt Lake area. I had acquired something of a name for myself in this regard. Because of that, I was able to pull enough strings with people to wind up spending an entire afternoon with Gord in his dressing room, and conciquently screwing up the rehearsal and the sound check. The first thing he told me to do was to sit down before I fell down. Man, my knees were knocking together. I got to ask every question that had ever poppped into my head about him and his music. Like where did he get the inspiration for BEAUTIFUL. He told me, it started out as a song for the audience. Something to say Thank You with, but when he got down to the line, "And when I hold you tight, " he turned it into another love song. He thought that was really funny. I call tell you all, he is as genuine, candid, laid-back and regular as anybody your could possibly meet.

He told me to stop singing his music and sing my own, not that he wasn't complimented for what I was doing. To this end, on the same stage just six months later, to the same packed house, I did what I had always wanted to do and that was to stun an audience into total silence at the end of the song. I got the guidance and inspiration to do this from the MAN.

I might also add, that the guys in the band, Terry, Pee Wee, Barry and Rick are the same as Gord. Fun, regular guys.

The last thing that really made an impression on me, was that every song he has written comes straight from the heart.....no bullshit about it. There isn't an insincere line or word in anysong.

As LAM likes to add his little quotes, here's one that says it for Gord from where I stand,

AMTTW
"Hear my song, as I sing it to the lost and lonely ones.."
GL

Rob Wells

[Rob Wells]

I am proud to say that some years ago I was doing a GL imatation in the Salt Lake area. I had acquired something of a name for myself in this regard. Because of that, I was able to pull enough strings with people to wind up spending an entire afternoon with Gord in his dressing room, and conciquently screwing up the rehearsal and the sound check. The first thing he told me to do was to sit down before I fell down. Man, my knees were knocking together. I got to ask every question that had ever poppped into my head about him and his music. Like where did he get the inspiration for BEAUTIFUL. He told me, it started out as a song for the audience. Something to say Thank You with, but when he got down to the line, "And when I hold you tight, " he turned it into another love song. He thought that was really funny. I call tell you all, he is as genuine, candid, laid-back and regular as anybody your could possibly meet.

He told me to stop singing his music and sing my own, not that he wasn't complimented for what I was doing. To this end, on the same stage just six months later, to the same packed house, I did what I had always wanted to do and that was to stun an audience into total silence at the end of the song. I got the guidance and inspiration to do this from the MAN.

I might also add, that the guys in the band, Terry, Pee Wee, Barry and Rick are the same as Gord. Fun, regular guys.

The last thing that really made an impression on me, was that every song he has written comes straight from the heart.....no bullshit about it. There isn't an insincere line or word in anysong.

As LAM likes to add his little quotes, here's one that says it for Gord from where I stand,

AMTTW
"Hear my song, as I sing it to the lost and lonely ones.."
GL

Rob Wells

[BigFitz]

Rob-That was a really great story!

I hate to say it, but I guess Mr. Potter actually stole the first 30 seconds of my answer. I too would really want to let him know how much I appreciated his work. With the rest of the time, I'd just like to ask him about his home in North Ontario, since it seems to be such an inspiration to him, in so many of his songs. I'd also like to ask him what has enabled him to produce such a huge volume of really great music. Is there any other songwriter who is even close to having written so many great numbers. I'd probably be reduced to grovelling at some point, and invite him to my family's home for dinner or something ridiculous like that, just because I'd be so awestruck. I actually recently met someone who met him years ago, and even that was nearly more than I can take. Everyone that I know who has met him says the same thing - he is as honest, humble and genuine as the beautiful music he writes.

As I say to you , my brother
If you live to follow the golden sun
You better beware
Knowin' the watchman's always there

-GL

[bobo]

Rob-That was a really great story!

I hate to say it, but I guess Mr. Potter actually stole the first 30 seconds of my answer. I too would really want to let him know how much I appreciated his work. With the rest of the time, I'd just like to ask him about his home in North Ontario, since it seems to be such an inspiration to him, in so many of his songs. I'd also like to ask him what has enabled him to produce such a huge volume of really great music. Is there any other songwriter who is even close to having written so many great numbers. I'd probably be reduced to grovelling at some point, and invite him to my family's home for dinner or something ridiculous like that, just because I'd be so awestruck. I actually recently met someone who met him years ago, and even that was nearly more than I can take. Everyone that I know who has met him says the same thing - he is as honest, humble and genuine as the beautiful music he writes.

As I say to you , my brother
If you live to follow the golden sun
You better beware
Knowin' the watchman's always there

-GL

[Kasey]

It was the last performance at what was the Sahara Hotel/Casino in South Lake Tahoe, then High Sierra. My "Gord Posse" and I were all there milling around the casino floor. I went into the jewelry store there (always hit those, natch) and there HE was, looking into the glass cases (by himself and no one else but the clerk!) So I'm so cool, stroll over and say "Gord? How ya doin"?" Since the casino was closing and all the employees were being laid off and depressed, he mentioned that "gee, it's awfully quiet around here." I said, "well, don't worry, I'm here with a rowdy bunch of girls, and your concert won't be quiet tonight!" He said "that's good to hear, thanks!" I said (still SO cool) "See ya there!" (Duh...) Then I strolled out casually, found my friends, did the usual squeely, girly thing, and told them all about it. (They were jealous, of course.) Made MY weekend, I can tell you! This was in the early to mid eighties, if I recall. I'll never forget it!

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"the mornin' after blues, from my head down to my shoes..."

[theotterjudy]

It was the last performance at what was the Sahara Hotel/Casino in South Lake Tahoe, then High Sierra. My "Gord Posse" and I were all there milling around the casino floor. I went into the jewelry store there (always hit those, natch) and there HE was, looking into the glass cases (by himself and no one else but the clerk!) So I'm so cool, stroll over and say "Gord? How ya doin"?" Since the casino was closing and all the employees were being laid off and depressed, he mentioned that "gee, it's awfully quiet around here." I said, "well, don't worry, I'm here with a rowdy bunch of girls, and your concert won't be quiet tonight!" He said "that's good to hear, thanks!" I said (still SO cool) "See ya there!" (Duh...) Then I strolled out casually, found my friends, did the usual squeely, girly thing, and told them all about it. (They were jealous, of course.) Made MY weekend, I can tell you! This was in the early to mid eighties, if I recall. I'll never forget it!

------------------
"the mornin' after blues, from my head down to my shoes..."

[Simone]

I saw GL last November in Ashland Kentucky. I milled about after the show with a number of fans and Gordon came out to sign autographs. After all of the pictures and signatures, I got my chance. I said, "When it is all said and done, Gordon, if you could take one song with you when you go, which one would it be?" He smiled and said, "it would certainly be Edmund Fitzgerald." He then talked about how that one song seemed to take on a life of it's own. He said he attends an Edmund Fitzgerald survivor convention every year and that 500+ people attend. He mentioned how gratifying it was to have a song mean so much to so many, especially the families of those lost that day. It was unbelieveable being in the presence of "The Man." Hopefully I will be able to ask him another question one day, but how do I choose from the hundreds that go through my mind each time I listen to his music?

[Chris in Virginia]

I saw GL last November in Ashland Kentucky. I milled about after the show with a number of fans and Gordon came out to sign autographs. After all of the pictures and signatures, I got my chance. I said, "When it is all said and done, Gordon, if you could take one song with you when you go, which one would it be?" He smiled and said, "it would certainly be Edmund Fitzgerald." He then talked about how that one song seemed to take on a life of it's own. He said he attends an Edmund Fitzgerald survivor convention every year and that 500+ people attend. He mentioned how gratifying it was to have a song mean so much to so many, especially the families of those lost that day. It was unbelieveable being in the presence of "The Man." Hopefully I will be able to ask him another question one day, but how do I choose from the hundreds that go through my mind each time I listen to his music?

I have had the pleasure of meeting the man, about two years ago when he played Green Bay and yesterday (April 1) in Suttons Bay, MI. Everything you think you're going to say goes out of your brain because you're so in awe of this awesome, talented man. He is most gracious and very friendly. Very willing to sign autographs and visit. I found myself just smiling and listening and chatting along with whatever he wanted to talk about. He seems to be looking forward to the PBS thing which they have to do in one take, he says. (No problem!) He and his band have been together so long they could sound good in their sleep. Yesterday's concert was the best I've heard yet. They were in rare form--in good spirits and musically, extraordinarily phenominal! Another thing he said is he'd like to get one more CD out of original material. An awesome man. Hope you all get to meet him some day too.

I have had the pleasure of meeting the man, about two years ago when he played Green Bay and yesterday (April 1) in Suttons Bay, MI. Everything you think you're going to say goes out of your brain because you're so in awe of this awesome, talented man. He is most gracious and very friendly. Very willing to sign autographs and visit. I found myself just smiling and listening and chatting along with whatever he wanted to talk about. He seems to be looking forward to the PBS thing which they have to do in one take, he says. (No problem!) He and his band have been together so long they could sound good in their sleep. Yesterday's concert was the best I've heard yet. They were in rare form--in good spirits and musically, extraordinarily phenominal! Another thing he said is he'd like to get one more CD out of original material. An awesome man. Hope you all get to meet him some day too.

[Jez]

This is for Chris in Virginia. There were no survivors of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking. All hands lost (29) in November of 1975. What he attends, is an annual memorial service held at Whitefish Point, Michigan. The service is put on by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. 15 miles NW of there, at the bottom of Lake Superior, is where she lays now and forever.

[Bob from Westphalia, Mich]

This is for Chris in Virginia. There were no survivors of the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking. All hands lost (29) in November of 1975. What he attends, is an annual memorial service held at Whitefish Point, Michigan. The service is put on by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. 15 miles NW of there, at the bottom of Lake Superior, is where she lays now and forever.

[don evans]

If I were fortunate enough to have even 5 minutes with Gordon, I would count it a great privilege. I think I would spend time finding out who he is and how he became so wise in life-matters. His lyrics cut the chase right to the heart...whenever I can, I plug in my envirascape fountain and pop in a GL CD. It is so relaxing and I can always find one of his tunes to relate to. I would like to ask the history behind some of the songs and what his goals for the future are.