Gordon Meridith Lightfoot is the very BEST Singer/songwriter ever to have been on this planet. A truly great individual, perfectly polite and humble, yet very inspirational.
Me too! I thought there were half a dozen that I've seen 100 times and now am finding many, many more. Agree, this one was great. Conversation and music.
Man, that guy was good. He did an excellent job with Gordon Lightfoot's song. I wasn't expecting it. But of course, nobody does Gordon Lightfoot like Gordon Lightfoot. He's one of a kind and they'll never be another one. I listen to every video that pops up.
That was Allen Thicke. I thought he was originally from Canada also, but I may be wrong. Have you ever listened to Gordon’s, ‘Your loves, Return?’ An absolute Gem.
Wow Alan Thicke passed from aortic aneurysm and Gordon Lightfoot nearly passed in 2002 from one. I found out 3 months ago I have aortic aneurysm getting close to threshold of operation and I am so grateful it was found!
Thicke looks like he's eighteen years old. This is the only time I've seen Lightfoot playing an electric guitar and never heard this song but as usual he's great.....
He will be missed, this one's inspirational, great song writer. Died may 1st 2023, pussywillows cattails was my favorite, probably, since he has so many.
Several people have expressed surprise that Alan Thicke ("Thicke Of The Night," "Family Ties") could sing . . . and didn't know if he was Canadian or not. He was born in Ontario - so definitely was a Canadian. But . . . he wrote the themes to many US TV shows, and was a writer on as many more. Plus he was a talk show host and an actor. His son, Robin, came by his musical gift quite honestly.
What an awesome clip, thanks for uploading it! He truly sounded spectacular with that band! In a way, I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't stick with that rockin' sound a bit longer than he did! The SALUTE and EAST OF MIDNIGHT albums that were released in the mid '80s were excellent albums and had some great songs on them! The songs SALUTE (A LOT MORE LIVIN' TO DO) and BROKEN DREAMS were a couple of rockin' songs off of that SALUTE album but it was the single ROMANCE that perhaps charted the highest at that time, I remember hearing it a lot on the radio back then! By the time MIDNIGHT was released in 1986, he was returning back to his familiar signature acoustic sound! Whether it's a rockin' song or a ballad, it all sounds good to me! I'm a true Lightfoot fan and will be for the rest of my life!
This show was maligned in its time, but that's because it was so far ahead of its time, it wasn't even funny. It was brilliant TV, completely different from everything else on at the time, completely different from Carson (which I never cared for). I loved it, and I might be the only person who will always remember Alan Thicke more for this show than as the dad on "Growing Pains." America just wasn't ready for something like "Thicke of the Night." As I saw another commentator say on another site, if this series premiered today and were put on Comedy Central, it would be a smash hit. Walk in eternity, Alan, and thanks for the late-night memories.
This was great. Gordon is one of the Greatest song composers, and maybe so, for Canada. I can’t think of another Canadian, that comes to mind. But then I am not Canadian. I just know that his music touched me on, from childhood. There were so many gems, that should have been released on singles that never were, that the world would have enjoyed. Much of his incredible music. It’s a loss for humanity.
It's so sad that Gord is gone, I have been listening to him for two years now, a youngster Z gen, I have all but two of his albums from the 70's (Sit down Young Stranger and Gord's Gold). It's a shame that Salute didn't peak, it's a different album for Gord because he plays the red Gibson SG here and around 1982-1983 his voice lost it's baritone layer and gained a nasally tone. But I still feel like it should have been a success, the album track, Knotty Pine and Someone To Believe in had potential but oh well, at least we now have this site to listen to his albums. Shadows and Salute are my favorite Gord' albums.
What a beautiful soul he was. Talented like NO other in voice, lyrics and arrangement. But so humble and private, I hope the world learns the enormity of what we've lost very soon.
Thanks indeed, because it's rare to see live footage of Lightfoot playing an electric. "Salute" is an overlooked great song and the album had other gems, such as "Knotty Pine," "Whispers of the North" and "Gotta Get Away."
@Andy Baeuerle My be synced, but did you ever hear of overdubs? He played electric as well on that album, and on the tour. I saw him. Check the back cover photo of Gordon holding an electric, and the interior credits.
Well, if he ever takes on a role like that, he's going to need a dialect coach to learn how to mimic Gordon's southern Ontario accent! I think that would be a challenge for most Americans.
What a fine interview. Alan will be missed... and what a perfectly fine voice! Who would've thought he could sing Lightfoot right next to Lightfoot so well? I'd be terrified even now. It's funny to hear Gordon talk about aiming for Top 40 radio and the gadgetry of drum machines, etc. "Salute" is an underappreciated album precisely BECAUSE the production hasn't aged well. The songs on it are some of Gord's best, and to hear him do them with his live band--not for top 40 radio, but with his natural acoustic sound--is to give them a whole new life, and invite these songs back into his catalog of timeless classics.
Oh, nice, and I certainly heard of him then and watched that show on occasion. It was on TV in the afternoon for most of its run, at least, and Thicke had replaced another Alan, he being Alan Hamel (husband of Suzanne Somers), who hosted the show before him, am I right?
I wonder how Gordon felt playing electric having played most of his career with acoustic. It wasnt' long after Salute that he left the electric guitar in the closet. I only remember the Salute tour with the electric. Others all acoustic.
Rare to see Gord strumming a Gibson SG. I actually don't know that I have ever seen another video where he's on anything other than a 6 or 12 string acoustic guitar. I have always liked this song...doesn't get the credit of some of his other works but it's got a great beat and it's nicely put together. Funny how he seems to be close friends during this time with Alan Thicke. Who would have ever guessed that? Those Canadians stick together I guess! RIP Alan. You always seemed to be a really good guy.
I have heard excellent versions by others - even Elvis (arrangement sung here by Thicke almost the same)! Ian Tyson, Peter, Paul & Mary, Glen Campbell, Eva Cassidy - I could list dozens more. And Gordon says he's never heard a cover of his songs that he doesn't love - and he is sincere.
Dave Martin: Thank you for this video. I think many of us never knew of this. Alan Thicke had talent many of us were not aware of & i am seeing this for the first time. Fantastic.
I've always preferred the minor-key version of "Early Morning Rain," though I like the more upbeat, three-chord version too. The '80s were a strange time for an artist like Gordon Lightfoot, or even someone who was an almost exclusively electric player like Lou Reed. The quality of their songwriting always came through, but the (over)production fad of that period was antithetical to what they did.
Very interesting interview and Gordon looks unusually at ease. Good to hear the compere singing , but I do not like this version of Early Morning Rain with minor chords inserted. Elvis did it, too, but I think it takes the edge and some of the impact off the song, giving it too much easy listening and sentimentality for the theme. Definitely not for a British audience , by the way. Gordon was brilliant in the first song though.
@@ElChupacabra77B No comparison , both of them were minor artists. And the choice of minor chord in this song is nothing to do with being Canadian , it is a musical choice , surprising because GL did not put that chord in originally., altho'. others did.
@@alankenworthy9722 Of course the minor chord has nothing to do with being Canadian. The other artists chosen to do it that way, because the liked doing that way better, and because they felt it suited the song more as it was a sad tune with morbid lyrics . Lightfoot chosen major chords because that’s the way he wrote it, and he felt comfortable doing it that way.
No, it wasn't, as you say. It was his 15th studio album at the time, and even with adding the one compilation album ("Gord's Gold") and the one live album he had released prior to that time, it would only be his 17th album at most. How did Thicke's research dept screw that up so badly??
@@hunterharrell7491 - Not true at all! He was done drinking by then anyway, although that doesn't destroy vocals for singing anyway. His voice was utterly fine right to the end of the '90s at least! What have you been drinking?
Gordon Meridith Lightfoot is the very BEST Singer/songwriter ever to have been on this planet. A truly great individual, perfectly polite and humble, yet very inspirational.
Both he and Alan Thicke were proud Canucks...so, too, were Neil Young and Joni Mitchell.
@@ClassicTVMan1981X I hope he writes a song exposing the plandemic. I call the vaccine needle Fodder for the fauch
@@uncatila you didn't get your wish. What a surprise.
Absolutely. I could not have said it better.
@@evelyncagle2455I post a video of me singing Gordon lightfoot with a picture of me and him go watch it and subscribe please
I've been watching every Gordon video I can find since his passing. This is a gem.
Me too! I thought there were half a dozen that I've seen 100 times and now am finding many, many more. Agree, this one was great. Conversation and music.
This song, Early Morning Rain, still makes my heart ache after all these years. Many of his songs do. 🎵
R.I.P. Gordon Meredith Lightfoot 11/17/1938-5/01/2023
“Legend time eternal”
Man, that guy was good. He did an excellent job with Gordon Lightfoot's song. I wasn't expecting it. But of course, nobody does Gordon Lightfoot like Gordon Lightfoot. He's one of a kind and they'll never be another one. I listen to every video that pops up.
That was Allen Thicke. I thought he was originally from Canada also, but I may be wrong. Have you ever listened to Gordon’s, ‘Your loves, Return?’
An absolute Gem.
@@ivangranger8494 Alan Thicke was Canadian.
Alan Thicke wrote themes to several TV shows. His son got his musical gene . . .
He is the Frank Zappa of folk, and that is a compliment, I love Zappa
Legend is not enough to describe his talent.
God be with you gordon lightfoot
What a talented singer songwriter... He is the best performer i have ever seen, what a vocalist.
Wow Alan Thicke passed from aortic aneurysm and Gordon Lightfoot nearly passed in 2002 from one. I found out 3 months ago I have aortic aneurysm getting close to threshold of operation and I am so grateful it was found!
Thicke looks like he's eighteen years old. This is the only time I've seen Lightfoot playing an electric guitar and never heard this song but as usual he's great.....
The Salute lp has a lot of electricity running through it.
I really love this track the most out of all his songs … this album
Is highly underrated
@@ClaudeLavender I'm completely unaware of this album and I thought I had all of his from this period. I'll have to check it out...
He will be missed, this one's inspirational, great song writer. Died may 1st 2023, pussywillows cattails was my favorite, probably, since he has so many.
Shit he’s only 46 here. Gord sure put his time in with the smokes and liquor. Good for him
I believe he quit drinking in 1982,,but I don't know about tobacco,
@@kathywright6853Plenty of smokes, even after he quit booze.
I don't think I've ever seen footage of Gord performing with an electric guitar before - this is a first for me.
Several people have expressed surprise that Alan Thicke ("Thicke Of The Night," "Family Ties") could sing . . . and didn't know if he was Canadian or not. He was born in Ontario - so definitely was a Canadian. But . . . he wrote the themes to many US TV shows, and was a writer on as many more. Plus he was a talk show host and an actor. His son, Robin, came by his musical gift quite honestly.
What an awesome clip, thanks for uploading it! He truly sounded spectacular with that band! In a way, I'm a bit disappointed that he didn't stick with that rockin' sound a bit longer than he did! The SALUTE and EAST OF MIDNIGHT albums that were released in the mid '80s were excellent albums and had some great songs on them! The songs SALUTE (A LOT MORE LIVIN' TO DO) and BROKEN DREAMS were a couple of rockin' songs off of that SALUTE album but it was the single ROMANCE that perhaps charted the highest at that time, I remember hearing it a lot on the radio back then! By the time MIDNIGHT was released in 1986, he was returning back to his familiar signature acoustic sound! Whether it's a rockin' song or a ballad, it all sounds good to me! I'm a true Lightfoot fan and will be for the rest of my life!
This show was maligned in its time, but that's because it was so far ahead of its time, it wasn't even funny. It was brilliant TV, completely different from everything else on at the time, completely different from Carson (which I never cared for). I loved it, and I might be the only person who will always remember Alan Thicke more for this show than as the dad on "Growing Pains."
America just wasn't ready for something like "Thicke of the Night." As I saw another commentator say on another site, if this series premiered today and were put on Comedy Central, it would be a smash hit.
Walk in eternity, Alan, and thanks for the late-night memories.
I loved Johnny Carson and never did see any of Thicke of the Night but this is very special. Alan sounded pretty good singing with Gordon.
This was great. Gordon is one of the Greatest song composers, and maybe so, for Canada. I can’t think of another Canadian, that comes to mind. But then I am not Canadian. I just know that his music touched me on, from childhood. There were so many gems, that should have been released on singles that never were, that the world would have enjoyed. Much of his incredible music. It’s a loss for humanity.
What a find. I have rarely seen Gord so relaxed and happy looking! Thanks for posting!
It's so sad that Gord is gone, I have been listening to him for two years now, a youngster Z gen, I have all but two of his albums from the 70's (Sit down Young Stranger and Gord's Gold). It's a shame that Salute didn't peak, it's a different album for Gord because he plays the red Gibson SG here and around 1982-1983 his voice lost it's baritone layer and gained a nasally tone. But I still feel like it should have been a success, the album track, Knotty Pine and Someone To Believe in had potential but oh well, at least we now have this site to listen to his albums. Shadows and Salute are my favorite Gord' albums.
Indeed, Gord had another 40 more years of living to do. Sadly, Thicke died a little on the younger side.
What a beautiful soul he was. Talented like NO other in voice, lyrics and arrangement. But so humble and private, I hope the world learns the enormity of what we've lost very soon.
So glad to find this. Thank you. Great to see/hear Gord in a relaxed and conversational mood.
Awesome Early Morning Rain version
Gordon was my main inspiration. Salute to you, my friend. ❤
Alan Thickes Father Was A Doctor in Brampton, Brian Thicke . Brian was an excellent Doctor and Pilot. Great Family.
Nice interview. Thanks for posting. RiP Alan and Gordon.
Thanks indeed, because it's rare to see live footage of Lightfoot playing an electric. "Salute" is an overlooked great song and the album had other gems, such as "Knotty Pine," "Whispers of the North" and "Gotta Get Away."
He only played it to promote the SALUTE album
lip synched...no one in the band is playing. Fake fadeout.
yes, thats not even his band, just a prop, its the studio recording
@Andy Baeuerle My be synced, but did you ever hear of overdubs? He played electric as well on that album, and on the tour. I saw him. Check the back cover photo of Gordon holding an electric, and the interior credits.
I’ve seen him in concert multiple times , he sounds just like he does in album . He’s truly amazing
If Bryan Cranston were to play Gord in a biopic, this would be the era of Gord he would have to portray.
Chris Pratt in the early years then Bryan Cranston.
@@christopherfletcher5384 Chris Pratt (Gord 1958-1982), Bryan Cranston (1983-1989), Bill Nighy (1990-2018)
Well, if he ever takes on a role like that, he's going to need a dialect coach to learn how to mimic Gordon's southern Ontario accent! I think that would be a challenge for most Americans.
Cranston's too old. Chris Pratt . . .
@@ElChupacabra77B - Haha! I think you've pretty well nailed it there!
RIP Gord...this was one of my favs
What a fine interview. Alan will be missed... and what a perfectly fine voice! Who would've thought he could sing Lightfoot right next to Lightfoot so well? I'd be terrified even now.
It's funny to hear Gordon talk about aiming for Top 40 radio and the gadgetry of drum machines, etc. "Salute" is an underappreciated album precisely BECAUSE the production hasn't aged well. The songs on it are some of Gord's best, and to hear him do them with his live band--not for top 40 radio, but with his natural acoustic sound--is to give them a whole new life, and invite these songs back into his catalog of timeless classics.
The booze! " It just melted off" That cracks me up"!!
Well it can do just that! Happened for me.
I used to do some video work with Alan in the early 80s when he had a talk show in Canada before anyone here ever heard of him.
Oh, nice, and I certainly heard of him then and watched that show on occasion. It was on TV in the afternoon for most of its run, at least, and Thicke had replaced another Alan, he being Alan Hamel (husband of Suzanne Somers), who hosted the show before him, am I right?
@@dwightropp3014 Yes.
I was today years old when I learned that Alan could sing! He sounds great. This is a great clip overall.
Gordon Lightfoot playing a Gibson SG! LOVE IT!!!!
RIP Gordon and Alan 💔🙏🕊️
Thank you so much, from a huge Gordon fan. So shocked to learn about Alan Thicke's passing - gone too soon. May he rest in peace.
I wonder how Gordon felt playing electric having played most of his career with acoustic. It wasnt' long after Salute that he left the electric guitar in the closet. I only remember the Salute tour with the electric. Others all acoustic.
RIP Alan Thicke
He was so chill in this interview. Love Gordon's music always.
This is a great find! Thank you so much for posting! Love Gordon and so very sad about Alan's sudden passing. Makes this video extra special.
Never thought I'd see Gord doing anything like that... Even doing Early Morning Rain in a different key and electric guitar!!!
Alan does good on Early Morning Rain
I didn't know Gord owned an electric.
This is great just for that.
Rare to see Gord strumming a Gibson SG. I actually don't know that I have ever seen another video where he's on anything other than a 6 or 12 string acoustic guitar. I have always liked this song...doesn't get the credit of some of his other works but it's got a great beat and it's nicely put together. Funny how he seems to be close friends during this time with Alan Thicke. Who would have ever guessed that? Those Canadians stick together I guess! RIP Alan. You always seemed to be a really good guy.
They stick together through thick and thin great artist fantastic,
Love it! What a great interview and singing.
Early Morning Rain must only be sung by "Gordon Lightfoot"!!
I have heard excellent versions by others - even Elvis (arrangement sung here by Thicke almost the same)! Ian Tyson, Peter, Paul & Mary, Glen Campbell, Eva Cassidy - I could list dozens more. And Gordon says he's never heard a cover of his songs that he doesn't love - and he is sincere.
Dave Martin: Thank you for this video. I think many of us never knew of this. Alan Thicke had talent many of us were not aware of & i am seeing this for the first time. Fantastic.
A great find
Dr. Seaver singing? OMG!
Wonderful post. A great album.
Excellent! Thanks for posting this. I have never seen it before.
Come on Gordon! Burn the house down!!
A GREY TROUBADOR.
AT was fine AF!
I've always preferred the minor-key version of "Early Morning Rain," though I like the more upbeat, three-chord version too.
The '80s were a strange time for an artist like Gordon Lightfoot, or even someone who was an almost exclusively electric player like Lou Reed. The quality of their songwriting always came through, but the (over)production fad of that period was antithetical to what they did.
1984 album Salute
It actually was released in July, 1983.
The 80s were an odd snd troubling time for so many legends of the 60s and 70s. Gord lip synching while strumming an SG? Sign me up.
He sounds like Ian Tyson.
Very interesting interview and Gordon looks unusually at ease. Good to hear the compere singing , but I do not like this version of Early Morning Rain with minor chords inserted. Elvis did it, too, but I think it takes the edge and some of the impact off the song, giving it too much easy listening and sentimentality for the theme. Definitely not for a British audience , by the way. Gordon was brilliant in the first song though.
That’s because it’s a “Canadian” Show, and Lightfoot is “Canadian” 🇨🇦 !!!! If you want British, go listen to Nick Drake, or Richard Thompson.
He was much easier going with Canadian entertainment and good friends of the past . A very eccentric but wonderful man !
@@ElChupacabra77B No comparison , both of them were minor artists. And the choice of minor chord in this song is nothing to do with being Canadian , it is a musical choice , surprising because GL did not put that chord in originally., altho'. others did.
@@alankenworthy9722 Of course the minor chord has nothing to do with being Canadian. The other artists chosen to do it that way, because the liked doing that way better, and because they felt it suited the song more as it was a sad tune with morbid lyrics . Lightfoot chosen major chords because that’s the way he wrote it, and he felt comfortable doing it that way.
If Lightfoot is using an SG I want to see Tony Iommi using a 12 string
Where’s Rick Haynes?!
I think this is the only video of him doing "Salute"! Of course its a lip sync and those arent even his band members!
He also did it on Solid Gold.
It doesn't look like he lip sync'd this.
It is just silly.
I got all the way through this before I realized I wasn't watching SCTV. Sounds like an insult, but it isn't.
4:51 omg Gordon marry me now
So strange to see him playing electric guitar...
Salute was "Album 22" I think NOT!!
No, it wasn't, as you say. It was his 15th studio album at the time, and even with adding the one compilation album ("Gord's Gold") and the one live album he had released prior to that time, it would only be his 17th album at most. How did Thicke's research dept screw that up so badly??
Lip synced jive but it’s cool to see him “playing” electric
GL .... lip syncing??? Say it aint so Gordon!!! 😫 Gotta admit he's good at it !! 🤣
Never like when Gordon went electric. And none of the original band members in back of him.
And his wonderful baritone voice was gone!!!! 😞😞😞
His voice changed noticeably after the 1976 album Summertime Dream
The 1982 Shadows was the last album with his solid baritone voice, smoking and drinking caused his voice to decline earlier than most
And I bet you were devastated when Dylan went electric, too! I think his electric is great!!
@@hunterharrell7491 - Not true at all! He was done drinking by then anyway, although that doesn't destroy vocals for singing anyway. His voice was utterly fine right to the end of the '90s at least! What have you been drinking?
@@hertzair1186 - Not true at all. Find one reputable critic or musician that would agree with you!
Salute is lip synch - he lip synched the Wreck as well on a broadcast and really does it well. Same with Spin Spin, as I recall
For a singing host, I'd have taken Alan Thicke over Mike or Merv any day. Good journeys, both.
Is that Paula Patton on drums cuz it sure ain't Barry Keane!?
And who was the girl who seems to have stood in for somebody?
❤❤❤🤍🤍🤍
Oh ok, so Walter White's s musician too? Didn't know that, wow...