Gordon Lightfoot has been like a North Star for me. From the days when you were at the mercy of what the radio would play and a song like Sundown would come on and you knew the next 3 or 4 minutes of your life would be elevated. Somehow I never got tired of his music. Maybe because it always felt authentic and not gimmicky. He was the most Canadian of stars. He always seemed humble, quiet and unfailingly genuine. I never saw him play but even up until a few months ago I was comforted by the fact that I could. Part of me was worried that seeing this older diminished version of him would kill the magic. Which was wrong I think. But in the later photos he looked so frail. Judging by the stories of his drinking, though, maybe he was always a frail character and the songs and performances were braver than we knew. I don't think I've ever heard a singer who could convey regret better. Rest in Peace, Gordon.