Gordon Lightfoot - Discusses "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" | GRAMMYs
Вставка
- Опубліковано 9 вер 2024
- GRAMMY-nominated folk/rock legend Gordon Lightfoot recently participated in an installment of the GRAMMY Museum's An Evening With series. Before an intimate audience at the Museum's Clive Davis Theater, Lightfoot discussed his early music education and his 1976 hit "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald," among other topics. Lightfoot also performed a brief set, including "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" and his 1974 hit "Sundown."
"['The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald'] ” it's a whole story unto itself, from start to finish, and it still goes on [to] this day," said Lightfoot.
Regarded as one of Canada's leading singer/songwriters, Lightfoot first gained acclaim in the 1960s penning hits for artists such as Peter, Paul And Mary and Marty Robbins. After signing with United Artists Records in 1966, Lightfoot released his debut album, Lightfoot! He followed with two classic albums, 1967's The Way I Feel and 1968's Did She Mention My Name? ” the latter earned him his first career GRAMMY nomination for Best Folk Performance. He scored his first platinum and lone No. 1 album to date with 1974's Sundown, which featured the chart-topping title track and Top 10 hit "Carefree Highway." Cold On The Shoulder was released in 1975 and reached No. 10, followed by the platinum-selling Summertime Dream (1976, No. 12). Considered one of Lightfoot's finest albums, Summertime Dream featured "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald," a ballad about the final hours of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank in Lake Superior in 1975. The song garnered Lightfoot two GRAMMY nominations, including Song Of The Year, at the 19th Annual GRAMMY Awards.Subscribe NOW to GRAMMYs on UA-cam: grm.my/1dTBF8H
About GRAMMYs:
The recording industry's most prestigious award, the GRAMMY, is presented annually by The Recording Academy. A GRAMMY is awarded by The Recording Academy's voting membership to honor excellence in the recording arts and sciences. It is truly a peer honor, awarded by and to artists and technical professionals for artistic or technical achievement, not sales or chart positions (GRAMMY Awards Voting Process:www.grammy.org/.... The annual GRAMMY Awards presentation brings together thousands of creative and technical professionals in the recording industry from all over the world.
Connect with GRAMMYs:
Visit GRAMMYs WEBSITE: www.grammy.com
Like GRAMMYs on FACEBOOK: grm.my/kToash
Follow GRAMMYs on TWITTER: grm.my/Ivdmjv
Follow GRAMMYs on INSTAGRAM: grm.my/1PZqygJ
Follow GRAMMYs on TUMBLR: grm.my/1aEvoWN
Gordon Lightfoot - Discusses "The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald" | GRAMMYs
/ thegrammys
Thanks to Gordon Lightfoot, the 29 men who died that night will never be forgotten
Exactly...
The way songwriting should be
I have to give Gordon Lightfoot so much credit for being involved with the families of the Fitzgerald and correcting the issues about the hatchways for the families who were being blamed for the Fitzgerald’s tragic loss. He’s a living legend just like the Fitzgerald will always be.
Correcting what issues about the hatchway are you talking about? I love this song and viewed the lyrics of fitzgerald but i dont see where any blame by Lightfoot was levied, please explain
@@Didymus-hl8je when Gordon sings about the main hatchway gave in, one of the youngest of the crew was in charge of that hatchway and apparently for years, was blamed for the Fitzgerald’s tragic demise. Only years later, they found out that the hatchway was sealed properly and her son was not to blame for the wreck. Lightfoot states he went to find out if that was indeed true and he was going to but I don’t know if he did it, was going to change the wording so that family would not be blamed for the wreck as they had for so many years
He’s a real amazing human…I’m Canadian and refrained from saying he’s a real Canadian he’s a real human being love and gonna miss him
One of the best lyrical story tellers of all time. Got me with this one...
“Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?”
To which the obvious answer must be: "The love of God was never there in the first place".
It is damn good poetry, even without the music. Who would have thought to convey that as a posited question? He has written some of the most beautiful, thoughtful lyrics in my lifetime. From simple folk songs like Redwood Hill, to 10 Degrees and Getting Colder, to this song, just beautiful writing.
BTW: The lyrics to the song or your user name are not too shabby, either:)
Agreed... That and "The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound..." So emotive... like all of Mr Lightfoot's work... From the heart.
I always pause when I hear that line.
There will never be another Gordon Lightfoot. His ballads are classic and so rich in melody and lyrics. May he and his music live forever.
This man is the finest man alive who can turn words into a personal touching of the soul, and the deep thinking of your brain. He is a excellent individual, best there ever will be.
I believe it is a given that his music will be known for at least another couple hundred years.
This song hits you right down to the core of your soul. Some of the most powerful lyrics ever written.
My fathers friend lost a brother on the “Big Fitz”, and when Lightfoot came to sing in DC he met with him and his mother.
This just show that this man is an extremely down to earth, humble man. He is the very finest person one can ever really know.
A good buddy of mine was just off the boats and came over to visit the night the E.F. went down. We were drinking a bit of whiskey that eve. He pulls out some photos of the boats he worked on . When he got to a pic of the E.F. he praised the Capt. and crew as being the best worked with during his time on the Great Lakes . He then proceeded to talk about the terrible storms on the lakes as the wind and snowy rain howled outside the house . I woke up on the floor the next morning he gets up and the radio is stating the E.F. went down that eve, the same time we were discussing storms and looking at the photo of the E. F. It was chilling.
Wow. The atmosphere the whole scenario would have created would be unforgettable.
ekpil that’s creepy. Nothing scares me more than talking about something with someone or dreaming about it and then it actually happens for real
Phrophetic moments like that scare the hell out of me. I have had them too. Glad Iam not alone. You have quite the story for the grandkids.
Wow
I can only imagine what you guys felt
That must have shaken both of you up as well as being very traumatic for your friend. Man hugs from the UK.
This song preserves the memory of the 29 men lost
It's how I first learned about the tragedy. And it made me want to learn what I could about.
The Fitzgerald was a gorgeous vessel I saw her in Buffalo New York when I was in the Coast Guard
Gordon Lightfoot, a captivating, gifted songwriter, musician, and vocalist. There can never be another like Gordon Lightfoot. I saw Gordon and Peter, Paul and Mary at Wolftrap in the early '70s. I was stationed in DC at the time with the US Army and it was a wonderful show.
Be it noted that Peter Paul and Mary also used and sang his work. I believe it was the song, For Lovin Me, writtrn by Mr. Lightfoot.
I respect him, he stayed In touch with some of families! I had tears! Love all of his songs! But the Edmund Fitzgerald my favorite!
Mr. Lightfoot:
You've given us remarkable perspectives and responses to our lives' issues. I'm 71, remember the horrible event, and remember the first time I heard your inspired gift, "The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald." Tears ran down my face and then I was wracked with silent sobs. It still happens. Any song that reaches so deeply into my inarticulate soul with lyrics--truly lyrics--melody, voice, and arrangement causes me to thank God for you and your life of witness and compassion.
+James Robiscoe James, I just turned 18 years old and I couldn't agree more with what you said. This song is truly a gift. I may not have been alive when this happened but this song kind of makes me feel like I was, if that makes sense. The lyrics "And he said 'Fellas it's been good to know ya'" gets me every time. Amazing song.
+James Robiscoe I've recently been reading about the inconsistencies with Gordon's song and the actual events. I know it matters to the families and friends, but Gordon captured the true essence of the tragedy. He gave the world the gift of understanding a haunting, horrific event. He is an amazing talent, and he has a good heart. He's always respected any changes that needed to be made.
Will there ever be another Gordon Lightfoot?
Mr Robiscoe
I totally understand how Mr. Lightfoots song " The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald touches you so deeply and brings tears to your eyes. It effects me the same way and I remember the news of the shipwreck and it effected me then and 42 years later it still calls the deep spirit within me to mourn the loss of these 29 men. Even though I tear up listening to this song I still listen to it often
@@tonimoni8019 At the moment, I'd say no, there's unfortunately nowhere in the music industry for a folk balladeer to write a mournful tale of a tragic shipwreck that could also top the charts today. Which is a sad and sorry shame. I was born a couple of years after the Fitz was lost, and grew up listening to Gordon Lightfoot (one of my mum's favourite musicians!), along with all the other choice music of the 60's and 70's that she had loved, and this song has haunted me since I was a young child, living on the shores of the Great Lakes and watching those majestic freighters sail past. He set me up with a lifelong love and respect for the Lakes, the idea to work a couple of seasons on a freighter to pay my way through school, and now a hobby of wreck diving. Show me a current musician who could inspire so much in a child's life.
This song still brings a tear to this old fool's eye... 46 years on and aged 66... The power of his music & lyrics.
I have had a few good tear ups in my music room with this and will have many more. If I need a like in the backside I play this.
It's hard to believe that the anniversary of the Edmund Fitzgerald is coming up on November 10, 2018. 43 years later it still hits home
today, 46 years now.
No matter how old the song is....The song and the wreck are both in the history books now.
Love this guy truly...saw him once at Hamilton Place...good size theatre and packed....we were sitting there, yapping, lights on...then five guys strolled almost inconspicuously onto the stage...no strobes....no trumpets....no screaming announcer....but out they walked with guitars...we were stunned... it was GORD and his band...quietened quickly and applauded just a bit embarrassed....guess we expected the usual American stuff you know?.....then the music began and a tremendous concert ensued. I’ll never forget it. One of the most Canadian things I ever experienced. GORDON LIGHTFOOT, a legend if ever there was one. And not only Canadian legend. Heck no. Watch his Reno concert❗️❗️🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦👏👏👏🥰🥰👍👍
I won't forget that day. We lived across the street from the Hudson's. I was a mere 14 and delivered the Cleveland Press on our street back then. They were a customer of mine. I remember how uncomfortable I felt and how eerie it was to ring their doorbell to collect paper fees after that. Obviously, Mr & Mrs Hudson were understandably forever changed after this tragedy. My sister was a year ahead and went to high school behind us with Bruce. I can fondly remember summers earlier when Bruce was in high school , he and his musician friends would often gather in his garage to jam. When they cranked up their amps, there was no doubt where it was coming from. I thought it was great neighborhood entertainment, although the adults thought otherwise. Sometimes myself, or other of my neighbor friends would hang on the sidewalk across from their driveway to listen to the glorious noise. GL became a personal friend of Mrs. Hudson due to this event. Both were on board the vessel for the 20th anniversary bell recovery mission. Sadly, Mrs. Ruth Hudson passed the day prior to the 40th anniversary. Several years later, I had the pleasure of meeting and working with a good friend of Bruce's, who at that time lived a couple streets over and was a regular jam participant. Glory days for sure. Hard to imagine it's approaching 45 years this Nov. Forget any lyrical inaccuracies, Gordon Lightfoot wrote an outstanding masterpiece with this haunting song that pays homage to and forever immortalized the grand ship and her crew.
May God grant eternal rest to the crew of the Big Fitz and all other mariners that have perished doing the work they enjoyed.
You are a very fortunate person to have known and been in the company of Bruce Hudson. From what I do know of him is what his mother had said that he was a fun loving fellow who established a close friendship with Karl Pichel, watchman of the Big Fitz, and Karl seemed like the kind of guy who made you feel welcomed and accepted, very kind and helpful towards others, and, somewhat of a joker, is the reason why Bruce seemed to get along so well with him. It also was very good that Gordon Meridith Lightfoot established a close friendship and relationship with Bruce's family members to, which shows the really good heart this man has for others out there.
This man, Gordon Merideth Lightfoot is the most humblist man, and an extremely excellent song writer as well as performer out there. Canada's very finest! We can appreciate the work of this fine man, he is truly a gift to the world.
"The church bell chimed 'til it rang twenty-nine times, for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald"
May all 29 R.I.P. on this the 38th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald!!!
Love Gordon Lightfoot's music! Very talented singer and songwriter. "The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald" is probably my favorite song by him.
Yes, me too along with Carefree Highway.
Sundown is 1000x better.
Boy he makes me proud to be Canadian👍
Why do you say that? All the Canadian people are the most finest, most decent humans upon this earth.
From your American neighbor let me say this and so you should Be Proud
I remember in the mid 70's the first time he came to my city You'd think it was the second coming of Christ. 🥰
@@danbasta3677 I have to agree 100% about Canadians! When I lived in Phoenix, I managed an extended stay hotel that catered, largely, to snowbirds. (But of course, visitors of all kinds from all states & all countries). I was ASTOUNDED by the AWESOME Character & general disposition of EVERY single Canadian in EVERY age bracket. I could ALWAYS identify a Canadian before they even spoke a word. Even just the way they carry themselves in a room. Imagine how excited I'd be for fall to come back around when our occupancy was about 70% Canadians...about half of them return guests...and we got to "keep them" til spring!! They were the reason I LOVED that job! Too bad I (literally) couldn't take the heat of the summertime anymore after 5yrs. Btw: It really was dry heat when I moved there in 1998. But it got increasing humid with the increase of green lawns & man made lakes. Now 100 feels like 100 vs 80/85 like it used to.
🇮🇪👍
Nice to see that a person so invested in the history / story can change to meet the needs of the family (for their sake) and accept mew evidence about the original story....
I was attracted to this song as a young child just on the sound of it alone. Once I heard and understood the chilling storytelling lyrics, I realized I was listening to greatness. This man is a gift with his songwriting and performances.
My hairdresser grew up with Bruce Hudson she said he was a wonderful guy very friendly and outgoing
I'm reminded of an interview Ray Bolger and Jack Haley did, they were talking about Oz and Ray said something like "you know, we don't get any royalty checks from that, but what we do get is a kind of immortality" I believe that's what the crewmen of the Fitz have gotten, from Mr. Lightfoot.
Love his music and lyrics "If you could read my mind love, what a tale my thoughts would tell"
I'm a bluegrass musician. Tony Rice (RIP) and J D Crowe recorded many of his songs. "10 Degrees and Getting Colder", "Redwood Hill". Pop music has been described as bad poetry set to music. His poetry and music craftsmanship is on a par with no one else, IMO.
The great Mr. Lightfoot has more talent in one pinky finger than all of today's so-called superstars have in all of their collective bods combined, and that's no overstatement.
Preach!!----so true!!
Agree with you, very much. This man is a very fine individual who deserves much credit for all his work he has done throughout his lifetime. Gordon Meridith Lightfoot.
I agree, Mr. Lightfoot and Stomping Tom had so much talent.
So concur
Agreed
The Song is so Beautiful and it brings me to Tears knowing what the Captain and Crew were Facing and Also the Good Lord Jesus Blessed them with the Strength to Forgive them of any Faults or Failures
One of his best songs ever
That song is the only funeral we get as boat crew, you are scattered all over the world and when you die you friendc from work can't come...but to this day we all stop when we hear the song and think about the two kinds of boatmen..those who don't come home to the bank and those who don't come home to the water...rest in piece
What a decent human being you are Mr Lightfoot. I look forward to seeing you in London tonight (God willing).
I can't believe that people would dislike this song. The singer is amazing. My dad and I love hom. When his days are through he will never be forgotten. Sir Gordon is a great storyteller and songwriter. I am sorry for the commenters who have lost loved ones when she went under. RIP
A lot of us have been affected by Gordon's songs especially "The wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald." I got the opportunity to travel to the area and psyched myself up for "The Maid of The Mist."Checking out a bit of the Erie Canal, Niagara Falls Canada from the land as well as staying there. Also a lunch cruise on (Finger Lake) Lake Seneca, and another one, a Circle Line Cruise around Manhatten Island. To me it was significant to the EF.
I have relatives all over that area including Ohio.
It was because of this song that I researched the wreck and, consequently, have developed immense respect for the bravery of the 'Fitz crew and of all the men who sail the lakes so that we have have our "convenience-based goods" economy.
Ditto
Great that Lightfoot has still been around. Out of all the songs he wrote this was his best, and he himself calls it his best. I live in Michigan and it's kind that he sang about the Mariner's church in Detroit that rang 29 times for the men on the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Saw that church in Detroit. We weren't looking for it. This was shortly after the ship went down. I can still feel realizing that this was the ship.
Mr. Lightfoot seems like such a nice man & his music is certainly stellar.
He IS a very nice, very humble man, very down to earth, and above all else extremely very brilliant in all the words to the songs he writes and performs. Can't get anything better than Mr. Gordon Meridith Lightfoot.
Still a legend of a song and tribute to her crew!
I fell in love with the melodic rhythm at 9 yrs old in Fall '76: 'til around the Summer of 1999, I heard the lyrics and their meanings; this was explained by a local radio station DJ, playing Oldies But Goodies!!
.
Gales of November are still with us with every trip up or down the lakes.
I was in shock to learn that he still is touring. A few years ago I read about him with all these health issues and I just assumed he gave up touring. He had a stroke and that affected his guitar playing. I'm so glad he healed up.... He's coming to Portland Oregon Oct 4th! Too bad I can't afford it. His songs are timeless classics, truly a unique song writer/singer.
My thoughts exactly! I was really torn as ya never know if this will be the last time around, but at $70 that was a bit too much for us. But it's great to see him going around. He is a strong survivor who's always spoke from the heart (I got a poster of the show at least! ;) ).
Tell ya what, now this is me, I'd a done EVERTHING in my power to have saved up all the money I could to go to his concert. I saw him in Station Square in Pittsburgh. Never regretted it for one moment. He's a good man.
I love this song and may all who lost their life on the Edmund Fitzgerald RIP..
And I mean no disrespect to Gordon and his beautiful music that I enjoyed growing up and still do to this day but in his older years he's honestly reminding me of Argus Filtch from the Harry Potter movies.
Thanks to the song I became lifelong fascinated by the Legend of the EF.
RIP To her crew and also to Gordon.
New Zealand 🇳🇿 here. Nov 27 2021.
Thank you sir for the music, following your music from 60s and up now. I am 70years old from South Africa 🇿🇦.
Top man Gordon great singer/songwriter love his music.
the hatch covers probably DID play a PART in taking down the once mighty fitz. (it probably split apart when it hit the bottom of the lake, not on the surface). it's demise was probably a combination of many factors all totaling up to the inevitable disaster; not necessarily just one event that can be singled out for blame. it was common in those days for a freighter to set sail without all safeguards properly in place. it was ultimately the captain's responsibility to make certain the vessel was sound, and to assign and oversee tasks regarding safety protocol. that ship set off on that calm and sunny day already taking on water which the captain and crew knew about. he was derelict in his duties. not that he was incompetent, more like over confident. and the ship was grossly overdue for major repairs, which it was slated for after the end of that run. coincidentally, it was also to be the last run for the captain as well, before his retirement.
(by the way, mr. interviewer, there were no survivors).
Gordo CONTINUES to be THE MAN.
i saw this guy perform this song live. i'm glad he made it. i hope it echoes out into the far off future the way Scarborough Fair did, so that the people it was written for will forever be remembered.
Gord showed real integrity changing that lyric.
GORDON LIGHTFOOT, YOU ARE ONE AMAZING MAN!!
this is a haunting but beautiful song/story by Gordon Lightfoot. very easy to "name that tune" after 3 notes :)
i was visiting my uncle at a cemetary in Orillia Ont. ... guess who else is buried there ??
It wasn't so much that the hatch covers were deliberately not sealed; it was that hatch covers could not be correctly sealed because the company did not insist on maintaining them. The company allowed the ship to sail with defective hatch covers. Other people have said that defective hatch covers was very common on those ships.
It's a great tribute song, and I can understand the family members wanting to set the record straight. Had it not been for this song, I may not have learned about the historical ship. So things have a way of working out imo
my 2 cents:.....1) the boat was old and had been patched with inferior welds, and was overloaded with ore....2) the captain (mr. mcsorley) was a "heavy sailing" styled captain who was known to push boats way beyond safe operation.....these 2 factors caused the boat to rupture in 2 pieces in the storm that night...god bless lightfoot's great talent and tribute to these fellas, loved this tune since 1976
The boat wasn't that old. It was launched in 1958 and sank in 1975 This would make the boat 17 years old. I wouldn't know about the other points you made.
your right- it wasn't old....it had huge metal patch though that wasn't welded properly- that was a major factor in the sinking
***** Fuck you, what was wrong with him having his say? Fucking clown.
thats alright, i'm used to it...i grew up in a big Italian family!!!....you lookin at me? me?eh
oreokookie the ship went down from a combination of events. Bad welds could have been a factor but the hurricane like squall did it in. It was in the wrong place at the wrong time and the storm came in too fast for them to find safe harbor.
Gordon Lightfoot is a legend. I wonder if there could please be someone who follows him and comes close.
He is talking about the victims families.... they are the true survivors of this tragedy. Host messed up wording... Not Gordon!
Was living in Cleveland at the time of the wreck. Still feels like it happened yesterday.
Gordon LIGHTFOOT responsible for a great song - that will live on forever - that tribute is amazing - he saw a newspaper article & there he goes THE SONG CAME OUT IN STORY RINGING THROUGH YHE LANDS!!! My FRIEND GORDON LIGHTFOOT
I have read that without navigation the Ed Fitz hit a shoal and damaged the hull - not enough to stop her but enough to let water come in - this was where the flooding of the compartment originated - of course the Captain could not ascertain the extent of the damage and with both pumps running carried on - there are few places you can just pull up and ride out the storm so obviously he continued - with increasing water the boat sat lower in the waves and they washed over the deck - the boat started to list to port - freak waves in a storm like that are common and with the weakened hull it seems most likely a wave crashed over her and she broke in two beneath the water and sank - scuba divers were later able to identify hull scraping marks on the shoal and fully loaded that seems most plausible reason for the tragedy - loss of navigation started it all - I think the shoal was associated with Caribou island - he passed too close to the island and hit ground damaging the back of the ship weakening it - that lake is some fearsome - you rarely see pleasure craft on that lake - motor boat or sail boat - it is too dangerous and unpredictable - it can turn coat in minutes - if you look at this map and see the route Arthur Anderson took around the island you will see it is farther offshore away from the shoal - www.mlive.com/news/2015/11/edmund_fitzgerald_timeline.html
This is a great song. i find it hard to believe that a song over 6 minutes is too long to handle for some people. must be hell to read a book. you want boring try In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida.
+Phil Jordan I actually liked the long version
Phil So funny yet sooo true!
Jessica Eaton I admit I'm guilty of doing the same thing RE using music as background noise but I'm listening to the words as well especially a great song SUCH as this one :)
Boring? True. But, it has a hell of a drum solo!
What makes this song so popular as does several of his songs, it is telling a story that can’t be trivialized down to a short version. To be properly understood you have to hear The whole song. The Canadian Railroad Trilogy is another good example. When I hear these songs it gives me a swell of pride to be Canadian.
This was the first record I ever personally bought. 50 years later, the song comes to mind every time I head offshore
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they called 'gitche gumee'
The lake, it is said, never gives up her dead
When the skies of November turn gloomy
With a load of iron ore twenty-six thousand tons more
Than the Edmund Fitzgerald weighed empty
That good ship and crew was a bone to be chewed
When the gales of November came early
The ship was the pride of the American side
Coming back from some mill in Wisconsin
As the big freighters go, it was bigger than most
With a crew and good captain well seasoned
Concluding some terms with a couple of steel firms
When they left fully loaded for Cleveland
And later that night when the ship's bell rang
Could it be the north wind they'd been feelin'?
The wind in the wires made a tattle-tale sound
And a wave broke over the railing
And every man knew, as the captain did too,
T'was the witch of November come stealin'
The dawn came late and the breakfast had to wait
When the gales of November came slashin'
When afternoon came it was freezin' rain
In the face of a hurricane west wind
When suppertime came, the old cook came on deck sayin'
Fellas, it's too rough to feed ya
At seven pm a main hatchway caved in, he said
Fellas, it's been good t'know ya
The captain wired in he had water comin' in
And the good ship and crew was in peril
And later that night when his lights went outta sight
Came the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
Does any one know where the love of God goes
When the waves turn the minutes to hours?
The searches all say they'd have made Whitefish Bay
If they'd put fifteen more miles behind her
They might have split up or they might have capsized
They may have broke deep and took water
And all that remains is the faces and the names
Of the wives and the sons and the daughters
Lake Huron rolls, superior sings
In the rooms of her ice-water mansion
Old Michigan steams like a young man's dreams
The islands and bays are for sportsmen
And farther below Lake Ontario
Takes in what Lake Erie can send her
And the iron boats go as the mariners all know
With the gales of November remembered
In a musty old hall in Detroit they prayed,
In the maritime sailors' cathedral
The church bell chimed till it rang twenty-nine times
For each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald
The legend lives on from the Chippewa on down
Of the big lake they call 'gitche gumee'
Superior, they said, never gives up her dead
When the gales of November come early
Congratulations you know the lyrics
I live there and have have bore witness to her fury all my life. She makes things disapeer
Not to say the current generation of musicians aren't making ballads like those during the era of "The Edmund Fitzgerald", but man it is so hard to find them, they are very rare now days.
Aging is so interesting. I have not seen any images or vids of Gordon Lightfoot since what he looked like in the 70's.
I may remember it incorrectly, but I used to watch "Hotel" with my mother, in the eighties. We were watching a preview for the next week's show, and it had something to do with domestic abuse. I remember her saying that Gordon Lightfoot was going to be in it. I remember because it was an odd name, and I was already familiar with his music. I haven't been able to find it online, and I look regularly. I especially remember, because we both thought James Brolin was insanely sexy, and we never agreed on such things. Anyway, I have been a huge fan since before I can remember, and I agree that the only image that comes to mind is his album covers from the 70's. He performs regularly in my hometown. But I can never time it right to be able to see him perform. That is my goal for this year.
MINDY ENGLISH I could be wrong, but he looks like he has had a life of hard drinking. Let me know if you make the next show and how it was. : )
FishHeadSalad I thought maybe cancer
Wa3ypx You may be right...I just thought..
"age". We all do it. Our choices are very limited.
he was hot in the 70's
life is a story, a story is a song
I don't think it was ever a finger pointing thing on gordons part only a observation and a possible cause
To be fair, when he wrote it, they had no idea why she sank. It was an educated guess.
@@neuralmute Or it was just a great lyric for the song, which I think it was.
A whole section of the song is dedicated to several of the possibilities other than the hatchway.
When it is used in the song, I think it’s just fitting the narrative.
Thank you for the memories
The church bell now chimes 30 times. RIP Mr. Lightfoot.
Amazing piece of literature....amazing song...amazing man..and men
I remember Edmund Fitzgerald coming into Huron Oh all the time thank you
The duffs doing the interview has one of the greatest singer, songwriters ever and he doesn't have a clue.
Hugely interesting statement made by Mr. Lightfoot.
+Isabel Beckerman nope just old
+Isabel Beckerman his career nearly came to a halt in early 2002 when he suffered an abdominal aortic aneurysm; he was in a coma for six weeks, and had a three-month stay in the hospital. He survived the illness, and he experienced another health scare in the fall of 2006, when he suffered a minor stroke that cost him some mobility in his right hand, but within six months he was able to play guitar again, and continued to perform on a regular basis.
@Isabel Beckerman Yes, all that has been written are acurate instances on the health of Gordon Merideth Lightfoot. We are still very blessed to this day to have him, appreciate him and his work now, he is truly a very good man. I stand behind him and my words reguarding him.
Jesus! Gord looks positively cadaverous! I didn't know he was this emaciated.
The boat wasn't that old. I believe she was launched in 1958, and she sank in 1975. Considering the still sailing St. Mary's Challenger, at well over 100 years old, was just taken to the ship yard a couple months back to be cut down to a barge. The Fitz was considered still fairly new when she went down.
I ditto your words about Mr. Lightfoot. I have had the honor to see him in concert 6 times. The final time was close to 10 years ago and his age then was starting to show in his performances. He continues to tour each year.
Added note here, the Big Fitz's sister ship is the Arther B. Homer. She to is gone, and has been scrapped.
The man is a Living national treasure. Bless.
Just saw him last week in Springfield Missouri.
My grandmother played guitar with him back in the days of old.
In the top tier of lyricists of the past 50 years along with Bob D. and Al Stewart
I had no idea Revolver Ocelot was a singer before becoming a foxhound mercenary.
I'm just kidding, love your singing Mr Lightfoot.
Bruce Hudson was not the youngest deck hand on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Mark Thomas was almost a year younger at 21 than Bruce Hudson.
The youngest boy on the ship was Karl Peckol 20 years old.
30 years old and have "Does anyone know where the love of god goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours" tattooed on my arm
Doesn't matter. He and his music speaks for him/itself!
The captain wired in she had water coming in. We're holding our own.
I'm very proud of you wonderful legend and very caring for people specially the men that died on Edmund's fiz ,God bless you Gordon and continue to singing forever and ever more Amen 🙏 and the men rest in peace with God Almighty father 🥀🕊✝️🥀🥀
Thank you sir..music legend..for your understanding chaging the lyrics..you are a WORLD TREASURE ..thank you for being such an honest Canadian...trudy is..NOT SO MUCH..EHHH
Gordon did a quick history lesson in his song.
What an icon....
The ship my Dad was on Joseph H Thompson was just behind it on Lake Superior
BRAVO Gordon...
happened 37 years ago today
RIP Canadian legend.
Thanks, took me a while to figure that out.
I've also heard they didn't leave fully loaded for Cleveland but partially loaded for River Rouge Michigan.
Gordon lightfoots the man the original version of the edmund fitzgerald song was great the way it should have been otherwise it doesn't sound the same to change the lyrics from original but it's still a true remembering or men lost at sea
The original song is good - one of the best ballads ever
Hard to imagine a lake producing 35 foot waves then taking down that huge ship!
I wonder what really inspired Gordon to write about this. Did his Canadian roots have some connection to this event and/or the families involved? He was very vague. Love this song. Gordon looks great from his age too :)
reading an article on it inspired him to write it.
i know lake erie pounds buffalo with snow but no idea those other lakes make such big waves
jim ogrady you have to see Lake Superior to experience the sheer size of it, almost like an inland ocean
I've heard of men who would rather fish the Bering sea rattan than sail across superior in a storm. Waves are closer together I guess.
jimmy e does it really matter? So sick of all of this territorial stuff. Point is he did those families right in writing and singing a song of such a sensitive tragic event.
The ship had all the odds stacked against her. Mostly wrong place wrong time. Or perhaps it was just fate.
I believe this was recorded in March 2013.
Gordon looks completely different from when he was younger.
I love you Edmund Fitzgerald
Fitz had 3 cargo holds instead of 5 like normal ships meaning less bulkhead hull strength! Plus that year the shipping company raised the capacity for her so she sat 3 feet lower in water than normal! Weight, hull structure and November storm doomed her!
so many players in the disaster, rough weather captain in a hurry, greedy company pushing weights and putting off maintenance, wrong weather report that missed the wind direction by 90 degrees which put that boat in the wrong place at the wrong time. The shallow shoal was probably hit and bent the ship and broke the fence rail and allowed enough water for a list. All of this put that ship on the edge and the rogues waves pushed her over the edge.
45 years ago