Opening Acts

 For the majority of Gordon Lightfoot concerts since the 1960's, we've become accustomed to the standard two set program with a 22 minute intermission. But at certain times, particularily when he was playing many larger arenas in the 1970's or when he was doing two concerts in one night, it became necessary to employ an opening act. I can clearly recall a concert in September of 1979 at the Metro Center in Halifax, NS. The late Colleen Peterson was to be that night's opening act. Just before she came on it was announced that a bomb threat had been called in to the arena. Needless to say it caused a minor stir in the crowd. After everyone checked under their seat etc. as instructed, Lightfoot came on stage and announced that as long as one person stayed he would be doing his show. That brought a great response from the crowd and the lights went down and out came Ms. Peterson. Well, security at the arena were still busy checking some things out because during her set the house lights came up at least a half dozen times, usually in mid-song, without warning. It was clearly a frustrated Colleen Peterson that finally finished her set and left the stage that night. Fortunately the Lightfoot set went off without a hitch.

Which brings me to the list of acts that have opened concerts for Lightfoot: