"The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" - Martin Gilmore

I was very sad to hear about Gordon Lightfoot's passing this last week. I think it's hard for any musician, and especially any folk musician to avoid how important his influence was. As a songwriter and storyteller, there was no one like him, and I'm grateful to have seen him years ago at the Chautauqua in Boulder, Colorado.

This is his most famous song, but I was thinking back on when I first registered Gordon Lightfoot. I realized that this song had been very important to me in the 8th grade, even before I was playing the guitar. In fact, I think that this song (and my love of the Beatles and Led Zeppelin) directly influenced me picking up the guitar in the first place. I love history, I love writing songs, I love songs about history, songs from history, and this song checks all those boxes.

I had forgotten many of the words (so I had to read a lyric sheet) but this song brought back a lot of memories from the past. I think that demonstrates the power of art and music. That a song can bring back so many memories, and touch someone so far away shows the connection music makes. More than that, for me, personally, I think this song helped me find my place in the world.

I'm not as die-hard of a Gordon Lightfoot fan as many others. I know people who can sing dozens of his songs. But there is no denying his influence.

Thanks for the music, and the path-finding, Mr. Lightfoot. Rest well.