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'Golden forever': musicians and fans react to Gordon Lightfoot's death

Stephen King, Ben Stiller, Sook-Yin Lee, Brian Wilson, Alex Lifeson and more remember the Canadian folk singer.

Stephen King, Ben Stiller, Sook-Yin Lee, Brian Wilson, Alex Lifeson, more remember the Canadian folk singer

CBC Music · CBC Music ·
Gordon Lightfoot performs at Route 66 Casinos Legends Theater in 2015. The singer-songwriter says he is working on his first new album in 15 years.
Gordon Lightfoot performs at Route 66 Casinos Legends Theater in 2015. (Steve Snowden/Getty Images)

The news of Gordon Lightfoot's death on May 1 has saddened Canadians from all walks of life.

The folk musician behind such iconic songs as "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy" and "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" collected admirers not only among his legion of fans, but also writers, politicians and fellow musicians. (Rush's Geddy Lee once described Lightfoot as "our poet laureate.")

Scroll down for reactions to Lightfoot's death: expressions of grief over the loss of a vital force in Canadian music, and gratitude for his incredible legacy.

Rapper Cadence Weapon was quick to react:

Neil Young took to his Archives website to post the following tribute: 

I just spoke to Gordon a few weeks back and he sounded happy, although he had cancelled some shows and was re-organizing his touring. I was saddened when I learned today of his passing. Gordon was a great Canadian artist. A songwriter without parallel. His melodies and words were an inspiration to all writers who listened to his music, as they will continue to be through the ages. There is a unique and wonderful feeling to Gordon's music. Lightfoot is a Canadian legend. 

Rob Baker and the Tragically Hip called Lightfoot "a kind and supportive friend": 

Rush's Alex Lifeson remembered a pre-show moment with Lightfoot and his daughter, Meredith — and Will & Grace actor Eric McCormack added in the comments:  "Will be listening to Gord's Gold for the rest of the week. But then... I always do."

Geddy Lee shared a picture of one of the first times he met Lightfoot: 

Robbie Robertson shared a poignant lyric from Lightfoot's 'Rainy Day People':   

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau honoured his fellow Canadian:

For Jann Arden, Lightfoot's songs are indelible:

Billy Joel posted a cover of 'If You Could Read my Mind': 

Novelist Stephen King quoted a pertinent Lightfoot lyric:

Actor Ben Stiller remembered a genius:

Lake Superior, the self-described G.L.O.A.T (greatest lake of all time), fittingly posted lyrics from its story-song, "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," and a photo of the gales on the day Lightfoot died:

Astronaut, engineer, fighter pilot and musician Chris Hadfield shared a photo and a heartfelt message:


The next generation showed its respect:

Kathleen Edwards thanked Lightfoot for his 'amazing gifts': 

Beach Boy Brian Wilson posted something short and sweet:

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh touched on Lightfoot's mentorship role to generations of Canadians:

Belinda Carlisle, lead singer of the Go-Go's, reflected on her favourite Lightfoot song:

Sook-Yin Lee posted a photo of the two together, in front of Lightfoot's wall of SS Edmund Fitzgeralds:

Fashion journalist Jeanne Beker told a beautiful story of her interview with the singer in 1986:

Raffi shared some words on mourning and memory: 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Lightfoot "Canada's bard":

George Stroumboulopoulos remembered a great storyteller:

For Olivia Chow, who's currently running for mayor of Toronto, Lightfoot was synonymous with the Canadian landscape:

On Facebook, journalist Richard Burnett shared an anecdote:

It was 13 years ago — on February 18, 2010 — that Canwest (now Postmedia) mistakenly reported that Mr. Lightfoot had died. When I spoke with him two days later — our interview had been set up long before by my BFF Arlene Slavin and, like a seasoned pro, he honoured his commitment — Mr. Lightfoot was still stunned by the reaction around the world to the news of his "death", especially here at home.

"I was in my car driving from the dentist with the radio on when the DJ said I was dead!" Mr. Lightfoot told me. "It became an obituary. Then they played a strain of If You Could Read My Mind. It gave me a bit of a shock. I put my foot on the gas and got to my office and the phone was lit up like a Christmas tree! It was also weird for my kids — my eldest daughter got very emotional that night."

Pop-culture writer Niko Stratis shared memories of growing up with Lightfoot's voice in her living room:

Lawyer and former cabinet minister Catherine McKenna shared more poignant Lightfoot lyrics:

Singer-songwriter Jill Barber remembered meeting the musician 12 years ago:

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