The
following
titles are full biographies or books that contain
significant Lightfoot content.
GORDON
LIGHTFOOT
by Alfrieda
Gabiou A very nice description of Lightfoot's
career up to 1977, quoting many newspaper
and magazine articles to illustrate her points. Contains a wide
selection of rare photos. Published by Gage - 1979 ISBN 7715-94992
HEART
OF GOLD
by Martin
Melhuish 30 Years of Canadian Pop Music - Contains section devoted to
Lightfoot Published by CBC Enterprises - 1983 ISBN 0-88794-112-5 (bound) ISBN
0-88794-110-9 (paperback)
CHASING
THE DRAGON
by Cathy Smith Autobiography by Lightfoot's former girlfriend - Contains several
chapters on her time with Lightfoot. Published by Key Porter - 1984 ISBN 0-919493-50-5
LIGHTFOOT:
IF YOU COULD READ HIS MIND
by Maynard
Collins Very disappointing effort. Contains
numerous factual errors and glosses over Lightfoot's vast musical accomplishments, instead
rehashes many already well documented Lightfoot tales. The author doesn't seem to grasp the
depth of Lightfoot's music and his high place and degree of influence in the realm of past and
present singer-songwriters. The definitive Lightfoot biogaraphy
remains unwritten. Published by Deneau - 1988 ISBN 0-88879-139-9
MUSIC
OF OUR TIMES
by Marco
Adria Eight Canadian singer songwriters - Contains section devoted to
Lightfoot Published by James Lorimer & Co. - 1990 ISBN 1-55028-317-0 (bound) ISBN
1-55028-315-4
(paperback)
SOME
DAY SOON
by Douglas
Fetherling Essays on Canadian songwriters
- Contains section devoted to Lightfoot Published by Quarry Press - 1991 ISBN
1-55082-000-1
PHANTOMS
OF THE ORILLIA OPERA 1895-1995
by Donald
W. Jenkins To celebrate the 100th
anniversary
of the Orillia Opera House a commemorative book is done, with a brief
forward
written by Lightfoot. There are numerous references to Lightfoot in the
book, with one chapter dedicated entirely to his many benefits played there and
to his overall support of the building and to Orillia itself. ISBN
0-9699346-0-2
BEFORE
THE GOLD RUSH
by Nicholas Jennings An in depth look at the Toronto music scene of the 60's, focusing
on the Yorkville district and the many talents who had their beginnings
there, with Lightfoot very prominent among that crowd which included the likes
of Neil Young, The Band and Joni Mitchell. Numerous references and
photos of Lightfoot are included in the book. An interesting read. Published by Penguin Books - 1997 ISBN 0-670-87381-0
IN
MY OWN KEY
by Liona
Boyd Canadian classical guitarist
Liona Boyd devotes a chapter in her autobiography to her time touring
with Lightfoot as his opening act in the mid-seventies. A unique
insight into that very heady period in Lightfoot's career. Boyd displays her
deep affection for Lightfoot and an honest gratitude for the wonderful boost
he provided to her career by opening her up to his more mainstream,
non-classical
audience during that period. Lightfoot contributes an
endorsement
on the back cover. Published by Stoddart - 1998 ISBN
0-7737-3121-0
GETTING
OUT OF HERE ALIVE - THE BALLAD OF MURRAY MCLAUCHLAN
by Murray
McLauchlan This book is surprising on two
fronts. First, Lightfoot has long been ackowledged by McLauchlan as an influence,
helping
hand and friend, yet this book contains no reference to those things and gives
Lightfoot
scant mention. More surprisingly, the scant mention Lightfoot does receive is in
very unflattering terms. A very unbalanced and disappointing effort from McLauchlan. Published by Viking - 1998 ISBN
0-670-875659-3
WRITING
GORDON LIGHTFOOT by Dave
Bidini An unauthorized, semi-fictional
account of Lightfoot, using the 1972 Mariposa Folk Festival and
events of that year as a backdrop.It's difficult to give this author any
credence on the subject matter,
in light of his admission of spreading false rumours of Lightfoot
plagiarising, then refusing to retract
his comments when proven wrong. And on top of everything else, pasting
Gordon's friend
Bob Dylan on the cover, smacks of cheap exploitation. It's more the
kind of book
you'd expect from someone like Kitty Kelley. Published byMcClelland
& Stewart - 2011 ISBN 978-0-7710-1262-4
