I was 13 years old and standing in my grandma’s kitchen doing dishes when I head “If You Could Read My Mind” for the first time. That moment was seared into my brain and it’s still as vivid today as it was in 1970. No song had ever grabbed my attention like that song and the uniquely beautiful voice that sang it. When it ended I called the radio station and begged them to play that song again during that hour. I wasn’t the only person who had called and asked for the song to be replayed. I saved all of my babysitting money in order to buy that album which I played over and over. A year later a new neighbor who loved Lightfoot as much as I did moved two doors from my house. We would listen to his music over and over again. When we saw him perform live in 1974 we thought that we’d died and gone to heaven! Recently I was visiting with one of my younger brothers and he told me that he’d been a huge GL fan ever since he was 5 when I bought my first Lightfoot album. I had no idea that Gord’s songs had affected him the same way it did me. He plays the music for his kids and his little grandson. The music is matchless and timeless.

@anderander5662

3 жыл бұрын

I was in my 62 Oldsmobile Starfire listening to the radio when I first heard this song . I don't remember the exact year but it was in the early 70s..... I sat and listened to the whole thing and immediately went to buy the album........literally wore it out listening to Lightfoot's music. It's so strange to me how a smell or song can take you back to a point in time.... almost like time travel.

@katherinehunter9526

Жыл бұрын

​​@@anderander5662 Great memory. I can see it! Yes smell and music can take you back in a moment. It was My older sister Jackie had this album and I loved all these songs. For over 5 decades his songs are still #1 on my lifelong soundtrack. ❤🇨🇦🎼🎸⚘🎶🙏🏻

@suzannemcmaken4648

Жыл бұрын

What a lovely recollection. There is one Gordon Lightfoot. ❤

@irazzimmer85

Жыл бұрын

I was born in ‘56. Also remember my older sister telling me about a vacation my brother-in-law, her, the kids and another couple went to Canada on vacation and told me about a singer and his song about the story of the Canadian Railway being built. Little did I know 3 years later roughly If You Could Read My Mind would make me aware of Mr Lightfoot, by the Sundown album he became my favorite all time singer. Saw him 6 times starting in ‘76 the last time in May of last year. Even sat one night with his guitarist and band member, Terry Clements, after a show. Gordon sat down with us for a couple of minutes a true gentlemen, I was so lucky and fortunate. What a great influence on me and my musical tastes. “ I wish you good spaces in far away places……. Last week, God gained a great musician in his heavenly band. We lose out, but we have our memories! 😊

@katherinehunter9526

Жыл бұрын

@@irazzimmer85 Amen! I was born in 1956 too! Great memories! Thanks for sharing!💞🇨🇦🎶🙏🏻

Gordon was a true musical genius and his music will live on forever. RIP Mr. Lightfoot ❤

Sweet Memories.. he was so talented 🎶❤️🎶🤲💫🕊

Love you Gordy. Thank you for the music of our lives. 💜🎶💜

He is a very humble and kind man. You can see his real character when he talks and smiles. No phoniness whatsoever. He is what you see with no fanfare or nonsense. One of the greatest of all time. Not many can match his contributions to great music and songwriting. He is the consumate story teller. His songs are haunting and sand and happy and written due to his real life experiences. A true Canadian Icon.

@mygrammieis

Жыл бұрын

💯I second that emotion

I see him as a spokesman of our inner lives.

Gordon lightfood is humble and so classy. I would like to hear more about his canoe trips. There were a few cringe-worthy moments because of the interviewer, but Mr. Lightfoot is such a class act.

I met Gordon in San Jose, Ca. at a concert he performed in the 90s. It was great to meet him.

Elvis recorded "If You Could Read My Mind" and "Early Morning Rain" . In the late 1970s I had a friend who heavily into singing Elvis songs, including his versions of these two songs. I informed my friend who Gordon Lightfoot was.

I remember in the late 1960's, a Boston radio station was changing format from classical to rock, and they had an in-studio guest. It was Gordon Lightfoot and the first time this teenager had ever heard of him. A couple of years later in college, I began collecting his records. They served us well thru our dating years and finding our way in life. Thank you Mr. Lightfoot. RIP

Wonderful interview! I miss Peter Gzoswki, and now I miss Gordon too. Bob Dylan deeply admired Gordon and his music, and considered him to be a great, if not the greatest, song writer. R.I.P. Gordon.

i love Gordon Lightfoot so much with all of my heart.

@cindyguillard216

Жыл бұрын

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

@johnbatch9276

4 ай бұрын

Beautiful you 😘

RIP Mr Lightfoot you were a genius

Truly a gift from above. Thank you Lord for brother Gordon..

Gordon is the greatest !!!! RIP Mr. Lightfoot.

I was getting ready for school one morning in the 70s and Daylight Katy came on the radio. The song never left me

Just a remarkable human being! An absolute genius.

Gordon Lightfoot’s music has brought me from the brink of dispare many times. I thank this wonderful man and his music. My husband purchased tickets to one of his concerts and they are still the best gift I have ever received.

@katherinehunter9526

Жыл бұрын

I hear you!❤🇨🇦🎼🎸⚘

@nannnyb

Жыл бұрын

1e

@Brannee248

Жыл бұрын

Oh ya? I saw him in a local cafe, he was playing the piano in front of me by signing up in a performance list as a shared piece of melody 🎶 😂❤

Gord is the top of the heap of Canadian singer-songwriters. And he's always amazingly gracious regardless of the inane questions asked by obsequious interviewers. I've yet to hear one interview that doesn't make me cringe on that account.

At 58 I have heard Gordon's music all my life and always thought it was okay but recently have realized his music is some of the best ever. Great lyrics that take me back to where I was when they were popular. Great underappreciated artist!

@keithtodd3762

Жыл бұрын

It has ALWAYS been a mystery to me that this man has been under appreciated by the mainstream critics. He has ALWAYS been a HUGE influence in modern folk music. Stark swollen elegance in songwriting AND performance.

Song for a winters night, omg, definitely one of his most amazing songs.

@sammack2575

Жыл бұрын

I play it, and have played it every Christmas!

@katherinehunter9526

Жыл бұрын

Yes it's one of them.❤ May he rest in Peace and Love. He passed on May 1st 2023. At 84. Great Canadian legend! ❤🎼🇨🇦🎸⚘🙏🏻

@walcoman

Жыл бұрын

@@katherinehunter9526 Canada needs to have an annual, nationwide tribute concert where as many Canadian artists as possible pay homage and remembrance to his eternal gift of musical legacy to Canada 🇨🇦

@katherinehunter9526

Жыл бұрын

@@walcoman Yes absolutely!🕊💞🇨🇦🎶

@ericburns9132

Жыл бұрын

It definitely is, it's my mother's favourite song of his, and one of my favourite songs by him too. My favourite song of his is "If you Could Read My Mind"

I love Gordon Lightfoot.

I always felt like Gordon Lightfoot was singing to me personally. His songs remind me how much I miss my native country Canada. So melancholy!

I could listen to this man's stories forever and I will through his songs

Such a very very humble person . Amazing !

He is the Best Ever. Hope he lasts forever.

@yvoncormier9762

3 жыл бұрын

He's got a tour schedule up for 2021. He's been a big part of the soundtrack of our lives. Thank God he's still going strong🎼💯

@bigtwit799

3 жыл бұрын

he's 93

@erikaboreal

Жыл бұрын

@@yvoncormier9762 he’s still going strong in 2022! I just saw him a few hours ago in Winnipeg. Absolutely amazing experience I am so happy I got to see him

Gordon is soft spoken, but his vocal has a growl to it.

Gordon Lightfoot was my childhood idol growing in Toronto.. We had relatives in Orillia and used to go there often... We're from Nova Scotia, musically gifted, my dad was a published songwriter, my aunt was married to Con Archer, my cousin sang with Reta Macneil and on and on... I was playing 12 string in my teens, I wrote my first poem when I was seven... I am a singer/a songwriter and poet... Here is a sample of my poetry... Your music and memory lives forever Gordi... Cycle of life - Written by Mike Muise -Copyright 2006 The sun will rise and the sun will set and life will still go on And the hopes and dreams of your younger days will help you carry on. Destiny will deal its hand and in your life will come, a measure of some good and bad as it is to everyone. And so with life there comes the task of knowing which way to go and everyone must scrape their knees if we are to grow. The lessons lived and the lessons learned that serve us all too well of who we are and what we’ll be only time will tell. And so will pass the days of youth and then your senior years, and reflections of those memories brings happiness and tears, and looking back with clarity you’ll be the only one, who’ll sit in the face judgment of the things you’ve said and done And so the cycle of this life will come to a final end, and all of what you did in life and what you might have been And it matters not to dwell on the things you didn’t do, but rather on the good you did and what it means to you . After all when it’s said and done we’re all just passing through.

@lindamcd1217

5 ай бұрын

That is really good! Have you put it to music?

Thanks for posting this here. I've Loved Peter Gwzoski's interviews forever. He equals Gordon in what a talent he is in his field! Thanks, I Love this with segment with our Canadian Troubadour, Gordon Lightfoot. I'm here because he passed earlier this week. So I've been binging on everything that the algorithms are feeding me now. So thank heavens you uploading this old interview. My heart has been shaken at losing him. He was like family with his lyrics and music. For over 5 decades his music has been the soundtrack to my life. Bless your Heart and Soul Gordon Lightfoot, knowing you have left us with music that is about life but also portrays this great country and historic moments from our past. Rest in Peace and Love Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon Lightfoot passed on May 1 st 2023. At age 84. In Toronto Canada. Thank you for everything! ❤🇨🇦🎼🎸⚘🎶🙏🏻

What a nice interview!!! I’ve loved Gordon for 40 years... I used to be where he played often (San Diego) and heard him often and once drove up to Pomona..... he is wonderful live!!!

@bigtwit799

3 жыл бұрын

your aintshent then!

Two iconic voices silenced, but not silenced.... rip, Gord.

I've been practicing Edmund Fitzgerald for a few years and finally mastered getting through the entire song from start to finish. I shall sing it at open mics when it's safe to do so. For the love of sharing music. The only time I made any money at it was a smart aleck in an audience zinged a quarter Ninja style at me and it actually stung a bit as it zinged off of my forehead. I did have a micro second to react with a squint, but too late to duck. The quarter landed on the table in front of me. I kept it, so I've made 25 cents in five years of open mics. And I like it!

@wshow11

Жыл бұрын

Hilarious! And familiar.😅

He avoided answering about painter passing through being about him.. I sat 10 feet away from him at The Nugget Celebrity Show Room in Reno circa 2000,,,he sang that..It was magic.

As a born and raised Torontonion, I feel connected to Gordo from this interview I always had his albums but never heard him talk like this.

Good to hear this interview and know that Gordon Lightfoot writes music for the Lord and is a humble man. See you in the City Above.

Seriously though, hats off to Gordon Lightfoot. Thank you so much for the amazing songs and singing and inspiration, countless guitar learners and singers have been inspired by Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon was in the audience for John Prine @ House Of Strombo. Gordon, along with the audience joined John Prine on kazoo during the set. Look that one up. John sang his When I Get To Heaven, I will watch that again, but I think the audience joined on Kazoo during that song. Crazy Bone another made for Kazoo accompaniment. What a time that was. JP & GL thank you.

What can I say? Gordon Lightfoot national treasure for the United States as well as Canada. An absolutely wonderful artist in every way. 🙏

@treecounting

3 жыл бұрын

.... HE makes money touring in the US ...... He's too good a man to be a citizen in a terrorist , imperialist country

@tmo7734

3 жыл бұрын

@@treecounting True. No argument there.

A memory of mine popped up the other day. Back around 1985 I spent a vacation with one of my sister's and her husband and my wife on a houseboat on a lake in Missouri. Some guy was playing guitar and he finished. My brother in law said, Hey, get up there and play Edmonds Fitsgerald! So I did. Today, May 12, 2023 I'm getting ready to go on another vacation with my lady down to the Jersey Shore for a week. I was putting together tunes to play while we are there with friends and that song came back to me. It's a bit of picking, so I am enjoying listening to this interview and others and playing the tune all afternoon. Great songs of Gordon Lightfoot. So many....

A class act ... RIP Legend ... 🕯🕯🕯

I finally got a chance to see him live. Very thankful! Great time!

He is a true...Canadian...loves his country..probably.....Scottish...ancestry....but Canadian...born and breed..deep in his roots...country man...

Beautiful man! my life has been blessed by his song IYCRMM God given gift for sure!

Absolutely fascinating -- So he writes melody first! Thank you sooooomuch! I am a huge GL fan since he started.

@bigtwit799

3 жыл бұрын

most songsters write the melody first which takes 3 minutes, then write the words which takes about 4 weeks LOL

Him and neil young are two favorites of mine. Classy

Thank you for the upload of this great interview

R.I.P. You will be missed.

I love Gordon Lightfoot such a talented singer songwriter the best songs are the ones that tell a story as I listen to his lyrics if you could read my mind songs like that are written from someone who has so much love and depth to them listening to Gordon he has a humble personality. Whenever I’m overwhelmed with life I listen to Gordons songs - The best of the best!

Watching this shortly after the passing of Gordon Lightfoot. And being interviewed by Czowski, no less! Two Canadian icons. Wonderful interview ... Gordon is so thoughtful, his kindness and humanity shine through. His hands are constantly moving, whether of nerves or habit I don’t know. Made my day. Loved hearing the story of him writing ‘Song For A Winters’ Night’ during a thunderstorm in Cleveland. Thanks for making this available. I’ve seen a few good interviews (Brian Linehan?) on your channel and have subscribed.

One thing about Gordon's hit songs, they have killer first lines, e.g., if you could read my mind, I see her laying back in her satin dress, the legend lives on from the Chippewa down. They immediately pull you into the rest of the song, but those first lines, unforgettable. Poet, musician, artist, true transmitter of the human experience, what a man.

Gordon's spoken and singing voice are two different things! And I'm not refering to his Lords Prayer recital.

Listen up young and budding songwriters. Mr. Lightfoot drew inspiration from his surroundings. I too do as well. Head out on the road and let it guide your imagination. This man practically invented prosody.

R.I.P. Gordon.

Cant get over how different his speaking voice sounds than his singing voice..

@timoteo950

3 жыл бұрын

I was thinking the same.

Beautiful speaking voice also.

What a character! Gordon is right on his game!!

Love early morning rain, loved this interview 💗

Highly Intelligent Man Gordon Lightfoot

I learned recently that Gordon was a consummate musician; he wrote all his own lead sheets, chords, arrangements, and was fastidious with production.

GL creates in me feelings I can neither describe nor duplicate. One feeling is something like "longing" that is similar to that which is aroused upon hearing the train whistle on a beautiful summers night. There are others that are equally mysterious and spiritual. I suppose other people experience the same thing and are as much at a loss to describe them as I am. Proof-reading my comment just confirms what I already know: best to leave the creative writing up to the true poets like GL and Neil Diamond, et.al. Many, many thanks to them all.🙏🙏🙏

@abbottsplace8080

Жыл бұрын

Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing them.

RIP Gord.

Bob Dylan usually throws compliments around like manhole covers, and yet he is clear about his respect and appreciation for Lightfoot. If Bob is a fan, he's doing something right.

I can lay in my bed with candles and a stick of incense burning and listening to Gordon all night long..

@bigtwit799

3 жыл бұрын

that's up to you!

@paulmarsh8974

3 жыл бұрын

@@bigtwit799 is your dad's name Arlo??

@bigtwit799

3 жыл бұрын

@@paulmarsh8974 of course! Your dad is Rodney.

@paulmarsh8974

3 жыл бұрын

@@bigtwit799 I was referring to Arlo Guthrie... a famous singer song writer in the 6o's and 70's

@bigtwit799

3 жыл бұрын

@@paulmarsh8974 No shirt? Do you think I wasn't referring to Rodney March the English footballer or his namesake, the Australian Cricketer?

His songs were like reflective discussions of which you never tire.

Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell, both masters of invoking an image or an emotion in the briefest phrase.

@bigtwit799

3 жыл бұрын

both from New York

@bigtwit799

3 жыл бұрын

FACT

@GingerbreaddGypsy

Жыл бұрын

Yes!!! Exactly. Emotionally succinct!

@johncopeland3826

2 ай бұрын

You forgot Robbie Robertson ! Another Canadian .

He reminds me of the great poet Gary Snyder, humble and understated, but pure voice.

What a great interview.

A great interview that will be viewed after Gord passes from this earth

@albertawheat6832

Жыл бұрын

He died today.

There was a historic jazz concert at Massey Hall involving Charlie Parker Charles Mingus and others in the early 1950s.

This is an Incredible Friendly Interview , frozen in time .

Great interview. In fact, I wish I could read his mind, what a tell his thoughts could tell. It’d probably be like an old time movie or something... (Sorry, I was having a little fun there)

@bigtwit799

3 жыл бұрын

I don't understand!

@harrietjohnson1930

Жыл бұрын

Got it!

20:10 there was one phase in his life when there was a strong resemblance to Jack Palance, of all people.

Gordon Lightfoot and Ian Anderson are " Birds of a feather"!!

At 3:50 “Do you just stand there and lick your pencil?” Gordon looks down trying out find an answer to such a question.

@northernmuse9

3 жыл бұрын

It must have taken great fortitude to continue with that awful interviewer. He deserved to be walked out on.

❤❤❤

I’ve heard a fair number of recordings of Phil Och’s “Changes”. Gordon Lightfoot’s is in my opinion by far the best.

@lindamcd1217

5 ай бұрын

One of my favorites

My God, I love Gordon Lightfoot, but I miss Peter!

I'm sure that i read somewhere ,a long time ago , that the late ,great ,brilliant Robbie Robertson once recommended the majestic Gordon Lightfoot to record company bosses ,to be given a recording contract as Robbie knew his fellow Canadian songsmith was something special ? I cant remember the specifics as it was decades ago , but would not have surprised me in the slightest if true . RIP to both souls .

Beautiful genius!

Comparing him with Dylan does Gord disrespect. Nobody can or should be compared to Dylan. Bob is what he is. Personally, Gord's songs have tons more depth, angst and meaning for me -- always have, even though I'm not from The North Country.

@BattManion1979

3 жыл бұрын

You got it wrong Chief....Nobody can or should be compared to Lightfoot. Dylan knows who carries the water.

@burlingtonbill1

3 жыл бұрын

@@davidandrew477 lol

the body language of Gordon Lightfoot in this taping to me seems very much like the creator and owner of the famous intelectual mens magazine, Hugh Hefner, titled Playboy magazine...

Went to see gordyand the group in Lorain Ohio years ago they were awesome .

Miss Peter Gzowski

Fantastic!! A greatly interesting discussion that I will not now have to try to digitise from the copy of this this that I have on a VHS videotape that I prize thanks to Yuri from Toronto back in 1998 or 1999

@johnfowles2

8 жыл бұрын

+johnfowles2 Having now watched this video in full I realised that I will still have to hook up my VHS player to a video recorder (I have a VHS/DVD player-recorder combo) because the uploader obviously wanted to concentrate on the talk show aspect and has therefore edited out a considerable amount of good live performances by Gordon and his band

@mysteryjesus

8 жыл бұрын

Yes please digitize because this is not the complete interview! The performance of A Painter Passing Through is not on this! I'm dying to get it but still waiting for it!

@psjlund

7 жыл бұрын

Hold on to your vinyls too!

A warm interview in which Gzowski the fan asked some good questions. The middle-aged Gordon Lightfoot was looking and sounding good here.

Chasing song lyrics happens out of nowhere. You have to grab them and write them down...build from there...

Thank you Otis Gibbs (#otisgibbs) for your introduction today, to Gordon Lightfoot. BTW. Mr Gzowski's Favorite is also "Early Morning Rain"...How fulfilling this 31:55 interview is.

Rest in peace

Interviewer looks like today’s Cat Stevens.

i remember after a concert Cathy asked Gord how he writes his songs. he said "i figure them out on s computer"

Look for Stuart McLean, and Peter Zösky talking about a cricket, but this, this with GL this is so good

Wish the DATE of this was listed! If I had to guess, maybe 1998?

RIP Gord

Gordon, one of the best! But...how funny GL reminds me of ....wait for it... Ronald Reagan - in this interview !

@chessmckenzie8319

Жыл бұрын

I was thinking the exact same thing.

The interviewer is somewhat annoying and even contentious at times but it's great to see and hear Gordon Lightfoot talking about his career.

RIP Gordon Lightfoot

This interview goes along nicely until about 25 minutes in when Peter says he didn't know that Elvis did a cover of Gord's 'Early Morning Rain', i mean really? everyone knows that! it's one of the most well known covers of a Lightfoot song. Then Pete mentions that Gord did a cover of 'Me & Bobby McGee' but that 'someone else' released it first, and he clearly didn't now it was Janis Joplin. Then right after that they talk about Gords song 'Changes' and Peter is completely unfamiliar with it, so Gord sings some of it to him. I mean come on man, how do you not know those simple facts or one of Gords best early songs? I know that interviewers can't know everything about every artist they interview, but this is Gordon Lightfoot, and apparently one of Peters own friends, so to be so clueless about commonly known facts about him is pretty sad/lame and reveals he's not much of a music fan.

What is it about Canadian musicians?..Maybe cuz it's SO vast land wise,less distractions,deeper concentration ..Some of our greatest treasures have come from Canada.Lightfoot,Rush,Anne Murray,Bryan Adams,Loverboy,BTO,Steppenwolf,Glass Tiger,Shania,Sheriff,Beiber?(The Jury's still out),(NOT Drake!🤮💩👎)I never realized HOW important SONGWRITING is till it was too late.It's like 99.999%imortant!😢My focus was always to be a badass musician,at LEAST i accomplished THAT!

Anyone else see Bryan Cranston in his face?

@RogerMelodicMusic

Жыл бұрын

Who???

@HerAeolianHarp

Жыл бұрын

yes

@TheoSmith249

Жыл бұрын

very much so...but no Heisenburg!

@ElChupacabra77B

Жыл бұрын

I see a little Cranston (especially when he smiles or laughs), but mostly Bill Nighy at this stage in his life. Lightfoot’s younger years (1958-1980) would have more Chris Pratt. Lightfoot’s middle-aged years (1981-1993) would be full Bryan Cranston, but Lightfoot’s elderly years (1994-2018) here being 1998: would be more toward Bill Nighy.

Come on man dig into his words .

Question is Massey Hall still standing?😮

@ethelip5239

9 ай бұрын

Yes! Massey Hall was renovated from 2018 to 2021 & is open.

@stephenspencer4672

9 ай бұрын

@@ethelip5239 That is wonderful news thanks for getting back to me. I hope someday to see Massey Hall the place that was a home performance venue for Gordon Lightfoot.

@ethelip5239

9 ай бұрын

@@stephenspencer4672 The last time I saw Gordon was my only time at Massey Hall. He played the last show before it closed for the 3-year renovation, on Canada Day, 2018! I made sure to sit in the old, wooden seats in the balcony, that were going to be replaced..