Gord not at 11/10/05 tribute

[BILLW]

As you all know, Gord was not at Thursday night's 30th anniversary tribue to the Fitz and her crew at Whitefish Point. I went to Lightfoot.ca and looked up his concert schedule and saw that he's taking November off. My question is: were any of you disappointed that Gord chose not to attend Thursday night's tribute, or do you think, being the gentleman he is, maybe he decided that his presence might overshadow the family's position at the tribute.
Do you think he should have been there?

[Rob1956]

As you all know, Gord was not at Thursday night's 30th anniversary tribue to the Fitz and her crew at Whitefish Point. I went to Lightfoot.ca and looked up his concert schedule and saw that he's taking November off. My question is: were any of you disappointed that Gord chose not to attend Thursday night's tribute, or do you think, being the gentleman he is, maybe he decided that his presence might overshadow the family's position at the tribute.
Do you think he should have been there?

[Tyler]

I think that it was better that he was not there. He went to the 20th, I think and sent a wreath for the service on the 25th when family members went out on the boat. He wrote a song about it, a very touching tribute but he isn't really a part of it. The memory belongs to everybody, but the ceremony is for the victims, their friends and family, that shouldn't be lost in all the publicity.
Just my opinion.

[brink]

I think that it was better that he was not there. He went to the 20th, I think and sent a wreath for the service on the 25th when family members went out on the boat. He wrote a song about it, a very touching tribute but he isn't really a part of it. The memory belongs to everybody, but the ceremony is for the victims, their friends and family, that shouldn't be lost in all the publicity.
Just my opinion.

"I went to Lightfoot.ca and looked up his concert schedule and saw that he's taking November off."

If he had attended it wouldn't be posted on his schedule. This is a private thing. Not a public concert that anybody could buy a ticket to and attend.

"He wrote a song about it, a very touching tribute but he isn't really a part of it."
"Who knows if he was even invited? I know that when he wrote the song, he was granted permission to do it but I've also read some statements from family members that were not happy about it."

If this is the case then why do they make his song part of the ceremony? Pretty rude to use the song and not extend an invitation to the songwriter who has shown nothing but reverence and respect for the crew members and families.

I think Rob's original thought is closer to the truth...he chose not to attend out of respect. Do I think he SHOULD have been there? No.

"I went to Lightfoot.ca and looked up his concert schedule and saw that he's taking November off."

If he had attended it wouldn't be posted on his schedule. This is a private thing. Not a public concert that anybody could buy a ticket to and attend.

"He wrote a song about it, a very touching tribute but he isn't really a part of it."
"Who knows if he was even invited? I know that when he wrote the song, he was granted permission to do it but I've also read some statements from family members that were not happy about it."

If this is the case then why do they make his song part of the ceremony? Pretty rude to use the song and not extend an invitation to the songwriter who has shown nothing but reverence and respect for the crew members and families.

I think Rob's original thought is closer to the truth...he chose not to attend out of respect. Do I think he SHOULD have been there? No.

[charlene]

the song and Lightfoot's respect for those who died and their families speaks for itself...his presence is not required.

[ November 11, 2005, 07:36: Message edited by: charlene ]

[charlene]

the song and Lightfoot's respect for those who died and their families speaks for itself...his presence is not required.

[ November 11, 2005, 07:36: Message edited by: charlene ]

[Auburn Annie]

I don't believe he's ever advertised his presence the few times he's personally attended the ceremony. From what I've read, most family members who've voiced any opinion of the song appreciate it for what it is, a tribute. I have no doubt Gord prefers the day to be about the men of the Fitz, not him or his song. He has developed a personal relationship with some of the families and wouldn't do anything to take away from them the focus on their loved ones.

[Auburn Annie]

I don't believe he's ever advertised his presence the few times he's personally attended the ceremony. From what I've read, most family members who've voiced any opinion of the song appreciate it for what it is, a tribute. I have no doubt Gord prefers the day to be about the men of the Fitz, not him or his song. He has developed a personal relationship with some of the families and wouldn't do anything to take away from them the focus on their loved ones.

[Borderstone]

Lets put it this way,Gordon Lightfoot attending "everytime" would be about as proper as Alan Jackson attending at ground zero in New York every Sept. 11th.

Both men wrote moving songs about these events but unless one of them lost a loved one in these tragedies,they have done all that is necessary by simple lyrical acknowledgement.

[Norske]

hey im new to this, and i'm also only 21 years old. if it were not for gordon lightfoot i would have never known of the ship or her crew. that said, he has obviously had this effect on many people, and anyone who hears that song comes to a vivid reality and understanding of what happened. for those families, i believe that lightfoot exteneded thier mourning to many others. as for if he should have attended, that all depend on if he was invited or not. if an event like that was open invite, in his position i would not have gone.

hey im new to this, and i'm also only 21 years old. if it were not for gordon lightfoot i would have never known of the ship or her crew. that said, he has obviously had this effect on many people, and anyone who hears that song comes to a vivid reality and understanding of what happened. for those families, i believe that lightfoot exteneded thier mourning to many others. as for if he should have attended, that all depend on if he was invited or not. if an event like that was open invite, in his position i would not have gone.