Gordon Lightfoot

born to be mild

Lightfoot was a leader of the folk and singer-songwriter movement that evolved through the 1960s and into the 1970s and even the early 1980s. He has written and sung countless classic songs, the best of which is "If You Could Read My Mind". Certainly any Hall of Fame for great musicains should include Gordon Lightfoot.

Canadian classic

almost everything that Gordon did was good, on the other hand the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is 1 of the worst songs of all time

Old folk music

Mindreader deserves induction.

Excellant song troubadour. Bridged folk, pop, rock, country and released a very high level of music for decades. A declining voice and health have set this icon back in recent years but no denying hid place in rock and roll history.

fo sho

Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr. OC, OOnt (born November 17, 1938) is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s. He has been referred to as Canada's greatest songwriter[citation needed] and internationally as a folk-rock legend.[1] Lightfoot's songs, including "For Lovin' Me", "Early Morning Rain", "Steel Rail Blues", and "Ribbon of Darkness"—a number one hit on the U.S. country charts[2] with Marty Robbins's cover in 1965—brought him international recognition in the 1960s. He experienced chart success in Canada with his own recordings, beginning in 1962 with the number-three hit "(Remember Me) I'm the One". Lightfoot's recordings made an impact on the international music charts in the 1970s, with songs such as "If You Could Read My Mind" (1970) (number 5 on the US charts), "Sundown" (1974), "Carefree Highway" (1974), "Rainy Day People" (1975), ... Read more

beaytiful

One of the great songwriters of his generation and in his day a fine baritone who produced beautifully crafted records. I'd dock him a star because I can only think of two or three songs that even come close to being categorized as Rock and Roll. Black Day in July and Endless Wire come to mind. He was much more in the folk tradition and there were more elements of country in his work than rock or rhythm and blues.

Every time I see his name I see "Canadian Gordon Lightfoot" did something or other. For years I thought "Canadian" was his first name, and I used to muse on what a couple of mopes his parents were.As far as I am concerned, this is rank Canuck discrimination.

He should have been in there years ago. Sundown and If You Could Read my Mind are as enjoyable now as they were the day they were written.

I've been a life long fan of Gordon Lightfoot since I first heard him in the late '60's. There is no one finer lyrically or in the delivery of his songs. He is a true minstrel who evokes deep feelings in his listeners painting beautiful, vibrant portraits of the tales he has to tell. I've been lucky enough to see him several times in the L.A. area. First at Royce Hall at UCLA, then the Troubadour, and more recently in Orange County. He was always wonderful as a performer, and such a self-effacing man. Just a real decent guy with a gift that no one else comes close to having. He surely deserves the be honored at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But for being Canadian, he would have been our national hero instead of theirs!

Of course he should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His influence in the music world is not to be overlooked by the industry. One of the great singer-songwriters in history.

Canadian Folk Superstar of Yore

mind reader

Can't recall what he sounded like, but why not?

mindreader

MAPLE FOLK

go go girl

He's more deserving than k.d. Lang.

canadian singer songwriter

Gordon Meredith Lightfoot, Jr., CC, O.Ont (born November 17, 1938) is a Canadian singer and songwriter who has achieved international success in folk, country, and popular music. As a singer-songwriter, he came to prominence in the 1960s, and entered the international music charts in the 1970s with songs such as "If You Could Read My Mind" (1970), "Sundown" (1974), "Carefree Highway" (1974), "Rainy Day People" (1975), and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" (1976). His songs have been recorded by some of the world's most renowned recording artists, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, George Hamilton IV, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Richie Havens, Harry Belafonte, Tony Rice, Sandy Denny (with Fotheringay), Scott Walker and John Mellencamp. Fellow Canadian Robbie Robertson of The Band declared that Lightfoot was one of his "favourite Canadian songwriters and is absolutely a national treasure."[1] Lightfoot was a featured mus... Read more

greatest Canadian solo artist

Best solo act out of Canada, after Neil Young

He may be overlooked for this award but not by his fans! His body of work is ASTOUNDING! I vote Hall of Fame for this Legend still rocking and has fans screaming! Lets Honour him.

WOW!  I thought he already was ~ if not, what a tradgedy!

I don't know his material as well as some others, but what I know is that he wrote enough great songs for consideration. "If You Could Read My Mind" is a mature, bittersweet love song, one of the best. I also like "The Minstrel of the Dawn" and "Approaching Lavender." Good singing voice too.  I heard that "Sundown" was about the same woman who assisted John Belushi in his fatal overdose.

If you find me feeding daisey's, please turn my face up to the sky. And leave me be...watchin the moon roll by. What ever I was I know it was all because.. I've been on the town ....washin the Bullshit down!!!! Excellent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gordon Lightfoot is clearly one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time. It is unfortunate that probably his best remembered song (Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald) is not one of his best. And much of his music is to folky and not politically edgy enough to attract the folk/rock music elite. For those interestd in the music, after listening to "If You Could Read My Mind", I suggest "Early Morning Rain", "Song For a Winter's Night", and "Did She Mention My Name". And for those old enough to remember, Lightfoot wrote "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" fantatically covered by Roberta Flack and "Me and Bobbie McGee" sung by Janic Joplin, as well as many other hits for other artists.

Lightfoot has been a consistently superior artist for over 40 years. How he has been overlooked by the Hall of Fame is beyond comprehension. Here's hoping he gets his due recognition before another year passes by. Who has been as versatile, as interesting or as consistently great over the years? Tell me.

excellant singer-songwriter; claim to fame writing "IF YOU COULD READ MY MIND" (one of the greatest songs of all time), and one the worst songs of all time ("Dreck of the Edmunds Fitzgerald")

One of the most influential songwriters, should be inducted!

Absolutely  he should be in already!

if you could read my mind

Most important Canadian singer-songwriter this side of Neil Young. Quality of work in the 1960's & 1970s was unparalleled in folk-rock. Continues to put out solid albums into the new milenium. "If you Could Read My Mind" is one of the greatest, most poetic songs ever recorded, in my opinion. He has a countless dozen more classics, and near classic songs out there. Unfortnately, "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", was certainly on ef the worst song ever to reach the top of the pop charts. Love ya, Gordo. Hope the Hall comes to it's senses while you are still with us.

Next to Neil Young and maybe a sparse select others, one of the few true talents from the Great White North. Lightfoot is a Legend!

Greatest singer song-writer of all time--and a great Canadian to boot. Where would today's Canadian artists be with the trail blazing of Gordon Lightfoot?

Absolutely great writer and singer

If you want to know a secret, don't come running after me...for I am just a painter passing through this mystery Vote Gordon to Hall of Fame? How about for President?!

Good (liked Sundown) but not a Hall-of-Famer. When I was in the Navy, we had a skipper who loved Lightfoot. After 50 straight days of drilling holes in the Persian Gulf, we had a Steel Beach Picnic and Gong Show night on the fantail (back part of the ship that is outdoors). Some sailors did good, some got gonged, and then came the skipper singing Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. It was cringeworthy. Of course, no one had the stones to gong the skipper.

Overlookesd for far too long!!!

Clearly one of the most gifted poets of our time.