LEGENDARY Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot, who helped to define the folk sound of the 60s and 70s, has died.
The musician, who wrote hits like Early Morning Rain and The Wreck of Edmund Fitzgerald, died on Monday after experiencing health struggles.
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He was 84.
A representative of Lightfoot confirmed his death to the Associated Press and said he spent his final moments in a Canadian hospital.
His cause of death is unclear.
He had recently canceled all of his 2023 tour dates due to “health related issues,” according to a statement posted to his Facebook page in April.
The statement did not specify exactly what health problems he had been dealing with.
Born in 1938, Lightfoot would go on to write 20 albums and earn impressive stardom while sticking firmly to his Canadian heritage.
He is one of the few Canadian stars to rocket to fame without ever having left his home country.
Dozens of artists have covered his Grammy-nominated work, including Elvis Presley, Barbra Streisand, and Johnny Cash.
Lightfoot mainly wrote autobiographical songs that explored the Canadian national identity through deeply personal lyrics.
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He had previously described songwriting as an isolating activity and shocked fans when he announced a new record in 2020 titled Solo.
The album features solely Lightfoot and his guitar with no accompaniments.
The musician has had serious health scares before but had continued to work into his advanced age.
In January 2002, he suffered an aneurysm that led to a brutal six-week coma and four surgeries.
After staying in the hospital for three months, he was finally released and recovered at home.
But he did not let the health issues set him back.
He went on to record an album on his harrowing experience.
Over a decade later, he began touring for the first time in 35 years and played for fans across England, Ireland, and Scotland in 2016.
Speaking with The Canadian Press, he said: “At this age, my challenge is doing the best show I can.
“I’m very much improved from where I was and the seriousness with which I take it.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Lightfoot collected 12 Juno Awards and earned five Grammy nominations.
In 1986, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and was welcomed into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
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