Lightfoot

Very well-written and includes lots of information about Lightfoot's personal life as well as his songwriting and musical career. In some ways, Gord's story reminds me of the recent Paul Newman "memoir" The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man. Both were supremely talented individuals who seemed unable to accept or enjoy their own gifts and the success and accolades they earned until quite late in life. Jennings had full access to Lightfoot, his band members and family, which makes its searing honesty even more surprising. I came away from Lightfoot with a better understanding of the man and his music, which is pretty much what you want from a biography. My only quibble is the chronological structure didn't allow for making connections show more between different songs/albums/personal circumstances across the years. show less

Being the life of Canadian troubadour Lightfoot, who surely belongs on any list of his generation's ten best songwriters, and who is a powerful singer in the bargain. The book is a well-written affair which manages to squeeze past many, but not all, of the usual obstacles in the way of successful popular music biographies. The author gives fuller coverage than most to the years after Lightfoot fell from popular favor, almost to a fault, since relatively few will have been able to hear any of his music from the past thirty-five years without seeking it out. This denouement seems even longer, as the author adopts a rather reverential tone toward Lightfoot's musical output, rehabilitation from alcoholism, family life, and political show more activities from his later years, a tone which is happily lacking from the objective first part of the book.

The book is liberally spiced with interviews which his reticent subject granted the author. Although often insightful, as in many cases with songwriters, one would have been left happier not knowing the how and why of a favorite song's composition (e.g., "Sundown", Lightfoot's most popular single, was composed with Lightfoot in a snit over an unfaithful lover, which is pretty much like a frog calling somebody ugly). The author mostly leaves the critical evaluation of Lightfoot's albums and major concerts to how they were received by reviewers at the time, which helps add period color and an understanding of why his popularity had the trajectory it did. The Lightfoot who emerges is a grouchy perfectionist whose prickliness has led to many a diva moment on stage, but has also led to an artistic integrity which took him through the music industry's pitfalls mostly unscathed, and in at least some cases, giving back some rather serious money rather than do things he didn't want or feel able to do. And author, subject, and, probably, reader, will wonder about the nexus between alcohol, venery, and creativity, at least in Lightfoot's case, as he emerged from his low points into a new, cleaner life only to find that popular and critical success had become much more elusive. It's nice to have this biography of a beloved performer who has kept his private life pretty veiled. show less

I'm giving the book five stars, with some minor reservations. The book does explore the singer's alcohol abuse and problems with spouses, and a few other bad decisions. The book does not really try to explain how those developed.

Those reservations aside the book is excellent, as is the subject singer. I was quite interested in the background of many of the songs, since the often tell a story. I quite agree with his favorable comparison to the even more erratic, yet more famous Bob Dylan. In many ways they are comparable. Lightfoot musically grew up in the folk coffeehouses of Toronto; Dylan in New York. Both focus heavily on lyrics and less so on music. Both have multiple troubled marriages. Personally I prefer Lightfoot though both show more have significant merit. As does this book. show less

*I won a copy of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway*

Given that I moved to Canada about 18 months ago, I saw the giveaway for this and figured I should read up on one of Canada's most iconic music legends.

The book was interesting, but the first half was way too slow. And repetitive. It goes through the 60's and 70's in the same fashion, recounting Gordon's music successes, the number of records sold, concerts played etc. It also makes Lightfoot out to be a bit of an asshole. It's contrasted nicely with Lightfoot's lighter more humble side, but the bits that make him look less than stellar have a particular sting to them.

And., at one point I found the biographer getting a bit of his own smugness in when he mentioned a few other Gordon show more Lightfoot biographies that were slated, but never made it to publication. That felt kind of like a "haha I'm better than them" kind of moment which was unneccessary.

The second half picks up nicely as you go through the 80's to present, mostly because it shows a more personal side of Gordon Lightfoot. He gives up drinking, tries to repair his relationship with his children, goes through some medical crises, seems to find love again, (and loses, and finds it again) , and finally seems to accept that he is worthy of the fame and accolades to he has recieved over the years.

I wish that the book had more quotes of Gordon's. I would be highly interested in reading a book penned by Lightfoot himself, but given his private nature I would imagine that's not at all likely to happen.

This is a very thorough documentation of Gordon Lightfoot's life and accomplishments. show less

Lightfoot
by Nicholas Jennings
2017
Viking
3.8 / 5.0

Exhaustive and definitive, this bio took 12 years of research and interviews. It gives a comprehensive look at Gordon Lightfoots career, his life, his lives and his demons.
Packed with great photos, this would be a perfect gift for any fan or person interested in his life.
Highly recommended.