My distant connection to Gordon Lightfoot

[charjo]

Gordon Lightfoot was an amazing vocalist, songwriter and guitar player. Here’s a beautiful live performance of the Canadian Railroad Trilogy. Even if listening for a short time you are overwhelmed by his talent.

My father’s uncle, Basil Steele, immigrated from Greece and opened up the iconic Steele’s Tavern on the main Toronto downtown drag. He was one of the first to hire Lightfoot as the in house entertainment. This article details how Lightfoot was discovered there and some interesting Toronto history.
John

https://torontoist.com/2015/01/historicist-steeles-tavern-and-the-rise-of-gordon-lightfoot/

[James B]

I love Canadian Railroad Trilogy too, John. What a great songwriter, singer, guitarist and performer.
Enjoyed the article on your Uncles tavern. Sounds like Basil was quite the entrepreneur and helped out the struggling musicians.
How about, Did She Mention My Name.

James

[charjo]

What incredible talent.
When I was a teenager listening to Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, James Gang, Rolling Stones, the Who, I had a Gordon Lightfoot Greatest hits album and I appreciated that one, too.
John

[John H]

John-I loved his music. Not just Sundown and Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald but all of it. My in-laws have a cabin on Boise Blanc Island in the Straits of Mackinaw (Northern Michigan). My Father-in-Law tells the story of the storm that stuck that area the days that event took place. The haunting guitar intro and lyrics will forever be etched in my mind. “Does anyone know where the love of God goes when the waves turn the minutes to hours”? not only gives me chills but invokes a tear almost every time I think of it. I love the song but it conjures such a terrifying event that I kind of avoid it. Fantastic song-writer and story teller.

JH

[sunjamr]

Very cool. He is one of many very talented musicians from Canada. I always figured the reason there are so many great musicians from Canada is because the long winter weather is so horrible people just sit inside and compose and practice music. But that may be different now that we have Netflix.

Sunjamr Steve

[Laurel C]

Interesting article John and how there is a family connection to nurturing Gordon Lightfoot’s success. He played at the tavern 6 nights a week there. Other musicians also received Basil’s encouragement too as he wanted them all to become stars. The songs ‘If you could read my mind’ and ‘Sundown’ were popular.

[San Luis Rey]

What a great story John! Your great uncle was part of that generation who came over from Europe young and worked hard to achieve their dream. Were you able to attend any shows?

Mike

[Author]

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