July 1 - for those who are unaware, is Canada's Birthday. This year we celebrated our 150th 'official' year of being a country. In fact - the celebrations are continuing until the end of 2017.
As Canadians, we all really put it together and party on July 1. Many of us venture to Parliament Hill in Ottawa and are both entertained and entertain others.
Canadians are a proud people, we've done some amazing things. We've invented things that are in use across the planet (electric wheelchair, insulin, the lightbulb and much more), have some of the best actors, especially comedic ones, some of the best musical talent.
But we also have 'little dog' syndrome, so we often feel the need to tell everyone how great we are! We seem to be afraid that our actions, deeds, inventions, art and especially music will somehow not be recognized as Canadian.
In all of this, there is one icon that will be recognized world-over as Canadian and he is one of the greatest musicians that ever lived.
Sure we have hockey - some truly great athletes - and we did fantastic at the most recent Olympics, but I'm thinking more towards the musical aspect of Canada.
Alanis Morisette, Alana Myles, Mike Myers, Ryan Reynolds, Michael J Fox, and many others are super well known and respected Canadians, but on top of this and any other list has to be Gordon Lightfoot.
Since the early 1960's he has been writing, singing and performing music - that is just so very Canadian.
On July 1, 1967 - My parents brought us to "The Hill" to celebrate - at the time - Dominion Day. Gordon Lightfoot was the main attraction and he sang a song called "Canadian Railroad Trilogy".
This was a song he wrote after the CBC asked him to write and sing a song that was truly Canadian. I won't go into the details about why and how, needless to say the song became a hit on charts worldwide over the years. The song debuted on January 1, 1967 to open our Centennial.
Gordon Lightfoot again performed the same song, in the same venue, on the same day, 50 years later.
Lightfoot was born in 1938 in Orillia, Ontario - some 78 years ago. He was 28 years old when he was the main "Hill" attraction. On July 1, 2017, he was 78 years old and also one of the main attractions on Parliament Hill.
Although I was only a toddler in 1967, surrounded by thousands of other Canadians, and in awe of the whole surreal event and performances, I instantly became a Gordon LIghtfoot fan that night and have been ever since.
His music is original and timeless and not like the 'canned' music being sold today. Songs like "The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy", "Old Dan's Records", "Sundown" and many more are simply creative legends. They will be sung long after Lightfoot leaves this planet, and long after we all pass on.
Gordon Lightfoot moved to the southern USA Hollywood) to study Jazz and Orchestra - among other things. However in 1960, he chose to come back to Canada - at the time not a great place for recording artists to become household names.
In 1966 he released his first - debut album and it proceeded to tear up the charts - both in Canada and the USA. Lightfoot became one of the first Canadian musicians to earn stardom without leaving Canada.
My respect and admiration for this man is only deeper after watching a 78 year old belt out the 1967 hit in Ottawa 50 years after he released it. While his voice isn't anywhere near what it used to be and he looked a little frail, it was a performance that earned a long standing ovation from the soaked wet but appreciative crowd.
Every Canada Daysince then I have listened to various Canadian musicians, but inevitably, Gordon Lightfoot takes over and Canadian Railroad Trilogy is one of the staples I always listen to.
Congrats Canada on reaching 150, and Gordon, You are truly amazing - keep going!
As Canadians, we all really put it together and party on July 1. Many of us venture to Parliament Hill in Ottawa and are both entertained and entertain others.
Canadians are a proud people, we've done some amazing things. We've invented things that are in use across the planet (electric wheelchair, insulin, the lightbulb and much more), have some of the best actors, especially comedic ones, some of the best musical talent.
But we also have 'little dog' syndrome, so we often feel the need to tell everyone how great we are! We seem to be afraid that our actions, deeds, inventions, art and especially music will somehow not be recognized as Canadian.
In all of this, there is one icon that will be recognized world-over as Canadian and he is one of the greatest musicians that ever lived.
Sure we have hockey - some truly great athletes - and we did fantastic at the most recent Olympics, but I'm thinking more towards the musical aspect of Canada.
Alanis Morisette, Alana Myles, Mike Myers, Ryan Reynolds, Michael J Fox, and many others are super well known and respected Canadians, but on top of this and any other list has to be Gordon Lightfoot.
 |
| Courtesy Wikipedia commons |
On July 1, 1967 - My parents brought us to "The Hill" to celebrate - at the time - Dominion Day. Gordon Lightfoot was the main attraction and he sang a song called "Canadian Railroad Trilogy".
This was a song he wrote after the CBC asked him to write and sing a song that was truly Canadian. I won't go into the details about why and how, needless to say the song became a hit on charts worldwide over the years. The song debuted on January 1, 1967 to open our Centennial.
Gordon Lightfoot again performed the same song, in the same venue, on the same day, 50 years later.
Lightfoot was born in 1938 in Orillia, Ontario - some 78 years ago. He was 28 years old when he was the main "Hill" attraction. On July 1, 2017, he was 78 years old and also one of the main attractions on Parliament Hill.
Although I was only a toddler in 1967, surrounded by thousands of other Canadians, and in awe of the whole surreal event and performances, I instantly became a Gordon LIghtfoot fan that night and have been ever since.
His music is original and timeless and not like the 'canned' music being sold today. Songs like "The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald", "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy", "Old Dan's Records", "Sundown" and many more are simply creative legends. They will be sung long after Lightfoot leaves this planet, and long after we all pass on.
Gordon Lightfoot moved to the southern USA Hollywood) to study Jazz and Orchestra - among other things. However in 1960, he chose to come back to Canada - at the time not a great place for recording artists to become household names.
 |
| Courtesy Wikipedia Commons |
My respect and admiration for this man is only deeper after watching a 78 year old belt out the 1967 hit in Ottawa 50 years after he released it. While his voice isn't anywhere near what it used to be and he looked a little frail, it was a performance that earned a long standing ovation from the soaked wet but appreciative crowd.
Every Canada Daysince then I have listened to various Canadian musicians, but inevitably, Gordon Lightfoot takes over and Canadian Railroad Trilogy is one of the staples I always listen to.
Congrats Canada on reaching 150, and Gordon, You are truly amazing - keep going!
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