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Old 09-17-2006, 01:11 PM   #1
Jesse Joe
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Gordon was in concert, in Harris Mi. Sept 15, which he did, but told the audience he could not use his right arm, for guitar strumming.

He apologized to the audience, saying he was going to fly to Toronto after the show.

And last night concert, again in Harris Mi. was cancelled. Sept 16.

Does anyone know anything about this? ~Jesse~

[ September 18, 2006, 20:45: Message edited by: Jesse -Joe ]
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Old 09-17-2006, 01:51 PM   #2
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Hi All:

My wife and I just returned from Harris, MI. One weird weekend. It is our wedding anniversary today and we had looked forward to the trip to the U.P. of Michigan for about the past 6 months. We left Friday morning expecting a weekend full of fall leaves and Gord in concert.

Anyway.. Friday night we walked into a tent adjacent to the Island Resort Casino in Harris, Michigan about 15 west of Escanaba off U.S. Highway 2. Our seats were front and center, 8th row. Allright !!

The band came out Friday night and Gord shortly followed. He looked great but almost immediately, something was obviously wrong. Gord strapped a 12-string on but was not playing Cotton Jenny but only singing. He kept fumbling with guitar picks, switching his hold on the pick, etc. After Carefree Highway, I think he recognized he needed to provide some explanation.

He said that he had had a "mini stroke" and that he had intermittent muscular movement of his right arm. He said that it had happened before while at home but never while on the road. He said he was struck right during sound check Friday afternoon. He said they decided to go ahead with the concert and were considering flying home to Toronto immediately after the concert to get checked.

The songs continued and on one level, Gord provided a gutsy performance, strumming occasionally but I believe his guitar mike was turned off more than it was on. He moved around the stage a lot directing and adjusting the band on the fly. Once in a while, it looked like he was starting to play again only to be interrupted by a painful grimace and again he stopped.

After 30 GL concerts in nearly 30 years, I had never seen anything like it. I had never seen Gord dance on stage like he did. I was dying for the guy inside, at once inspired that he was doing the concert but also terribly concerned by someone who I have met, talked with, and who has meant so much to me through my thicks and thins.

The lyrics in "14 Karat Gold", "In My Fashion", and "Painter Passing Through" were positively haunting seeing our revered poet performing with one arm. Gord did everything he could to keep rhythm including slapping his thigh, encouraging the audience to sing on familiar refrains, encouraging Terry on solos, etc. He made only one major lyrical goof, singing the 5th verse of Edmund Fitzgerald twice. As he repeated the verse, he held one finger up and nodded his head acknowledging the mistake but kept the song going right to the end. One thing I thought was so interesting was that he switched guitars for the songs as he normally would have.

The band looked very concerned about Gord and were doing their best to adjust on the fly. Before beginning "Let It Ride", he and Mike decided how they were going to do the intro. Gord said that Mike was going to have do the rhythm piece.

With these casino shows, he does not take an intermission and the voice was growing more hoarse as the concert progressed. I will never question that integrity and perseverance of this man after he said I know you want to hear the Trilogy and I will try it. The high notes at the end were tough but he plugged through it.

He did "Old Dan's Records" and the band walked off. Rather than an encore, Gord simply came back himself, thanked the audience and said goodnight.

Here is the set list:

1) Cotton Jenny
2) Carefree Highway
3) Sea of Tranquility
4) Never Too Close
5) 14 Karat Gold
6) In My Fashion
7) A Painter Passing Through
8) Spanish Moss
9) Shadows
10) Rainy Day People
11) The Watchman's Gone
12) Ribbon of Darkness
13) Sundown
14) Wreck of the E.F.
15) Beautiful
16) Let It Ride
17) If You Could Read My Mind
18) Don Quixote
19) Baby Step Back
20) Blackberry Wine
21) Canadian Railroad Trilogy
22) Old Dan's Records


We had no idea what to expect Saturday. We checked in at the casino a couple of times during the day and everything was still on. When we arrived at the casino for the show, there were large signs saying that structural problems were discovered with the tent and the performance was cancelled. The sign I read said that the cancellation "was not related to Mr. Lightfoot's illness." When we looked at the tent, it did appear that part of the roof looked sunken. Refunds were offered and those who had paid by credit card would have refunds done automatically.

So we are back here in the Twin Cities after a 6 hour/ 325 mile drive. I have tickets to the show in Minneapolis tonight and plan to take my 17-year old son as he has been learning guitar. Don't know what to expect tonight. I will search some local websites and the State Theatre website to see if the show is still on for tonight.

If the show goes on, I will post a set list and observations in the morning.

Everyone should say a prayer for Gord and his condition.

John- Suburban Twin Cities, MN
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Old 09-17-2006, 02:23 PM   #3
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John,

have you heard anything about his concert tonight? I have tickets too and just tried to get in touch with the State Theater but had no luck. Their website didn't say anything about a cancelation. I'm really sad but even more worried about Gordon. I'm probably hoping for a miracle and that he will be allright tonight... Were are your seats? I'm sitting Row J, seat 11
Hope to see you there!!!

Claudia
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Old 09-17-2006, 02:55 PM   #4
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Hi Claudia. Nothing new on any websites. I am proceeding as if the concert is on. Will check again right before I leave about 5:30 p.m. Gordon mentioned in Friday's concert that his medical situation has happened before and has cleared in a day or two.

We will be in Main Floor 2, Row W, Seats 1-2.

Stop on over and say hello. I will look for you too.
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Old 09-17-2006, 03:02 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally posted by seafarer62:
Hi Claudia. Nothing new on any websites. I am proceeding as if the concert is on. Will check again right before I leave about 5:30 p.m. Gordon mentioned in Friday's concert that his medical situation has happened before and has cleared in a day or two.

We will be in Main Floor 2, Row W, Seats 1-2.

Stop on over and say hello. I will look for you too.
Alright. Let's hope he'll be fine and everybody has an enjoyable evening. I'm worried about Gordon as it would be one of my kids who isn't feeling right, funny, isn't it?
I'll be on the lookout for you!! I'm there with my hubby, would be his first time to see Gordon. I saw him for the very first time this year at 7 Springs - was just wonderful!!
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Old 09-17-2006, 04:02 PM   #6
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I'm so sorry to read this. I hope and pray he's ok.
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Old 09-17-2006, 04:02 PM   #7
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I'm so sorry to read this. I hope and pray he's ok.
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Old 09-17-2006, 04:26 PM   #8
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"Mini" strokes are nothing to sneeze at and he's right to get himself to the doctor asap; they are very often the prelude to a full-blown stroke.

For the non-medical: a transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a transient stroke that lasts only a few minutes. It occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is briefly interrupted. TIA symptoms, which usually occur suddenly, are similar to those of stroke but do not last as long. Most symptoms of a TIA disappear within an hour, although they may persist for up to 24 hours. Symptoms can include: numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body; confusion or difficulty in talking or understanding speech; trouble seeing in one or both eyes; and difficulty with walking, dizziness, or loss of balance and coordination.

Because there is no way to tell whether symptoms are from a TIA or an acute stroke, patients should assume that all stroke-like symptoms signal an emergency and should not wait to see if they go away. A prompt evaluation (within 60 minutes) is necessary to identify the cause of the TIA and determine appropriate therapy. Depending on a patient's medical history and the results of a medical examination, the doctor may recommend drug therapy or surgery to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have had a TIA. The use of antiplatelet agents, particularly aspirin, is a standard treatment for patients at risk for stroke. People with atrial fibrillation (irregular beating of the heart) may be prescribed anticoagulants.

TIAs are often warning signs that a person is at risk for a more serious and debilitating stroke. About one-third of those who have a TIA will have an acute stroke some time in the future. Many strokes can be prevented by heeding the warning signs of TIAs and treating underlying risk factors. The most important treatable factors linked to TIAs and stroke are high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, heart disease, carotid artery disease, diabetes, and heavy use of alcohol. Medical help is available to reduce and eliminate these factors. Lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet, maintaining healthy weight, exercising, and enrolling in smoking and alcohol cessation programs can also reduce these factors.

____________________________________________

My mom had a stroke 11 years ago at age 68. She was a non-smoker and had no high blood pressure but did have a stenotic mitral valve as a result of rheumatic fever she had as a girl, which we think is what caused a clot to break off and cause the stroke. In her case it was a right-sided infarct, which affected the left side of her body. She has no use of her left arm, little of the left leg, and her short term memory is shot to blazes. But she was fortunate; strokes affecting the right side also often affect the ability to speak or understand other's speech.
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Old 09-17-2006, 04:32 PM   #9
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My prayers,just like in '02,are with him.

I don't even care if January's show here gets cancelled,as long as he'll be okay.
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Old 09-17-2006, 04:44 PM   #10
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This is the first I have heard of this... I'm sure once the Toronto media gets wind of this we will all hear more details.

I certainly hope it's nothing too serious!
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Old 09-17-2006, 06:29 PM   #11
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Many thanks Annie for that great explanation regarding the TIA being a warning of an impending full stroke.I suddenly and for the first time realised what might well have happenned to me in January 2000 (within two months of my ambitious and sucessful North American tour in November 1999).during which I flew or drove the following itinerary:-
London>Montreal>Ottawa>Massey Hall (via a view of Christian Island)>Denver>Lubbock (Buddy Holly grave etc) Clovis NM (BH recording studio)>the grand Grand canyon>Phoenix AZ>San Fransisco>Vancouver>London.
Finally back at home and faced with the urgent necessity ofimproving my untidy English home n and a long and overdue process of adapting our non year 2000 compliant accounting/invoicing system I was obliged to spend a series of 24 hour working days during which I smoked far too many cigaretttes.
I am not sure when but one morning I felt wobbly at the top of the steepish flight of stairs leading down from my bedroom, and was extremely conscious that my then next door neighbour was still in hospital and paralysed after falling down her own identical staircase and injuring her back.In retrospect of course I should have consulted my doctor immediately as Gord has now done, but I did not. But instead within about a week on Monday January 16th I arose early and drove myself 120 miles to central London and worked all day helping install a new boiler flue system near Mayfair.I had minor trouble lifting things but climbed about 6 flights of stairs to check the flue as it came out on the rooftop. On the drive home I had some problems with vision on my left side. and retired to bed at about 9:30 GMT.Before I did I wrote a note to anybody who found me that actually said that I was having trouble holding my pen and that I thought I might have had a ministroke, and left instructions to contact my nearest and dearest. That actual note is here somewhere and my hand writing was clearly deteriorating.Fortunately in those days we had a 2 AM GMT chat session every Tuesday evening/Wednesday morning. so I awoke to my alarm and made my way downstairs. It did not take Susan long to see that my typing was erratic and made me call my doctor.See this contemporary, and still on line, article in the London Daily Telrgraph at:-
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/htmlConte...Fnemail18.html
(Hence my enthusiasm and efforts to try to keep the remaining Friday chat sessions every week at 9 PM EST going see:-
http://www.glchat.notlong.com
The rest as they say is history and I am naturally extremely pleased to still be around.At the time I firmly believed that my stroke was brought on by my extreme over smoking;
No doubt the effects of carbon monoxide on my clotting-prone blood caused the neck artery blockage that led to the death of too many of my right side brain cells.
In point of fact my stroke I believe provided two strange "bonuses" for me.
1 subsequent cardiac tests over here belied the opinion of the cash strapped doctors working for the National Health Service in Dorset, who had repeatedly assured Susan that my heart was fine,resulting in my quintuple heart bypass operation the following October in New Jersey
Thus I have avoided, so far,a most likely heart attack:-
2. my enforced non-smoking whilst in hospital in England for about three months succeeded in breaking a bad habit of about 40 years and all checks to date show that my lungs though showing some damage are reasonably OK.
So be warned anybody still smoking out there or indeed anybody having a feeling of weekness or sight problems.
John Fowles
Praying that Gord will very soon be fully OK,
(I myself find it very hard to get my affected Left hand around the guitar fret, but my guitar playing had never been that good anyway)

[ September 18, 2006, 07:48: Message edited by: johnfowles ]
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Old 09-17-2006, 08:49 PM   #12
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Here in Toronto there has been nothing on the news as of 6 p.m. tonight. I've been in transit from Toronto since just after that time and will watch the 11 o'clock news for any reports..
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Old 09-17-2006, 11:35 PM   #13
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I just came back from tonights concert in Minneapolis. John will give a more accurate review but just real quick before I go to bed.

Most notable: The concert was not canceled as we feared. But Gordon still had really big problems with his right hand which wouldn't cooperate like he would have liked it. He needed to adjust the pick several times with his left hand, once in a while even dropped it. He obviously had a hard time to control his muscles. Songs where he needed to finger pick, he tried to play rhythm with the most basic pattern and got through somehow.
But: The band was just amazing, adjusted very well to the situation and filled in wherever they could. Compliments to everyone, especially to Terry. And: Gordon was extremly open and talkative. Explained what happened to him and how he's going to make the best of it. Was very funny at times, joking around - the crowd just loved it. I think everybody was glad he was there and appreciated it very much. They gave standing ovations several times.

It took me by surprise, that he acutally had an opener that night - for half an hour and played himself a little less than usual and without an intermission.
Said he already had an CT and would see a neurologist tomorrow. My guess would be, he's going to the Mayo clinic here in Minnesota. Since he didn't cancel tonight, my hope is, that the CT didn't show anything what would have made him cancel the concert immediately. Hopefully, he'll recover fully real soon. From what I understood, his right hand already improved a bit, compared to Friday night.

But I really was sitting there very tense and just felt terrible for him. It's hard to see him struggle so much. But what a Pro to pull it off anyway, just amazing.

Claudia
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Old 09-18-2006, 05:09 AM   #14
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Thanks Claudia, for that update. Lets hope he can get to be 100% again. I would rather like to see him in good health, rather than having to do these concerts, in less than fine shape.~Jesse~
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Old 09-18-2006, 05:34 AM   #15
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What's the latest?
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Old 09-18-2006, 06:27 AM   #16
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Still nothing here in Toronto...
I'd be a lot happier and alot less worried if he was at home with his own doctors and not traveling and performing...
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Old 09-18-2006, 06:36 AM   #17
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Same here Charlene, I dont care if they cancelled concerts that I was planning to attend. His health first. I will wait and see...
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Old 09-18-2006, 06:45 AM   #18
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<<I'd be a lot happier and alot less worried if he was at home with his own doctors and not traveling and performing... >>

Me too.
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Old 09-18-2006, 07:18 AM   #19
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Seafarer and Claudia - Thank you so much for the concert updates on Gordon's health.

SeaFarer, when I read your heartfelt description of the Harris.MI tent concert, I have never felt so much for Gord as through your description of his brave, professional, and painful performance.

I felt like I was reading about me and my wife's favourite performer's slipping away, and was astounded by how strong my reaction was.

Claudia - yours too, same.

I was moved so strongly by the the thought (God forbid) of losing Gordon that I am not too embarrassed to say as a grown man I had tears rolling down as I said a prayer for Gordon, and his family and friends.

He has been such an incredible inspiration to me for nigh on 35 years now as a fan, I can't imagine losing this powerful and talented performer and influence upon my life, and will quietly pray until I hear he is back to doing what he loves without pain and the arm problem.

Thank you all - JJ too for bringing up this subject I had not heard yet. Thank you Annie for the medical perspective and do hope your Mom does OK. And John - thank you for the recount of your ordeal that must have been such a trying time for you. Susan must be an amazing woman - you are forunate too.

This is one of those rare times in a music forum where the power of prayer, positive thoughts, or whatever your individual belief sets dictate to wish for better things and recovery are so appropriate. I will keep saying my prayers, and am subtly encouraged he is still plugging away and near the Mayo as I understand above ?

What a dedicated and brave performer who literally gives all he has to his beloved audiences. God Bless Gordon Lightfoot.

Please forgive my strong mention of my faith - I'm sure we all are having similar thoughts of some type in various, personal ways - religious, or spiritual,or heartfelt well-wishing.

He seems like a member of the family in a sense, doesn't he ? How a man's music could have such a powerful influence on my life without thinking of him as a brother of sorts, I don't know.

I guess losing my father months ago, fear of losing my wife presently, and now the importance of Gord's taking care of himself with such strength in the midst of what must be his own personal fear and pain is all rolling into one for me. That I even put these three people so close to me in different ways is a testament I guess to how much I admire and appreciate Gord.

Long live Gordon Lightfoot !

geo Steve

[ September 22, 2006, 08:27: Message edited by: geodeticman ]
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Old 09-18-2006, 07:40 AM   #20
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Very well said Geo Steve. As usual you express yourself, as a very good friend to Gord, and to many of us.

May Gordon find his full strenght.

All the best to you & the Mrs... ~Jesse~

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Old 09-18-2006, 07:45 AM   #21
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Thanks, Steve. Mom is holding her own, and plans to be with us next year when she turns 80 - in Las Vegas! She does love those slots, and it's good to have a goal to look forward to reaching.

I'm sure we're all offering up whatever good wishes, prayers or positive vibes - to each his/her own - for Gord's good health. Nothing like the power of positive thinking. But I'm with the others - if he has to postpone or rearrange his performing schedule for treatment, rest, whatever, he needs to do that.
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Old 09-18-2006, 10:27 AM   #22
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Annie, I think aspirin therapy, or any blood thinner, given his past medical problems, would be a last resort. I know I can't take any aspirin based products, or any similar blood thinners.
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Old 09-18-2006, 11:11 AM   #23
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There are some new direct thrombin inhibitors, different from heparin, Coumadin, or standard blood thinners, which do not require the same ongoing careful monitoring. They can be taken twice a day, and have fewer side effects. Don't know whether these would apply to Gord (or you), but I'm sure the doctors would know.
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Old 09-18-2006, 02:04 PM   #24
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Hey Cathy, I found this about Type 2 diabetes, thought it might be of some interest to you?

TORONTO (CP) - A drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes appears to prevent onset of the disease in some people who are at high risk of developing it, authors of a large international study reported Friday.

The Canadian-led trial found people who took the drug rosiglitazone (sold as Avandia) and who were given advice about lowering their risk through diet and exercise were substantially less likely to develop diabetes in the three years of followup than people who received lifestyle advice and took a placebo.
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Old 09-18-2006, 02:27 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally posted by Jesse -Joe:
Gordon was in concert, in Harris Mi. Sept 15, which he did, but told the audience he could not use his right arm, for guitar strumming.

He apologized to the audience, saying he was going to fly to Toronto after the show.

And last night concert, again in Harris Mi. was cancelled. Sept 16.

Does anyone know anything about this? ~Jesse~
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