Our favourite archival moments with Gordon Lightfoot

From an interview with Alex Trebek to a more recent sit-down in Lightfoots home, we look back across more than 4 decades of CBC footage with the late singer-songwriter.

Including an interview with Alex Trebek, we look back at more than 4 decades of footage with the late singer

CBC Music Posted: May 01, 2023 9:56 PM EDT | Last Updated: May 15, 2023

Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot appeared on CBC-TV's Music Hop, a show hosted by Alex Trebek, in 1963. (Music Hop/CBC Archives)

Gordon Lightfoot's songs helped form the foundation of Canada's musical identity, and the CBC took many an opportunity to interview the singer-songwriter across his storied career.

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Below, we've highlighted five of our favourite Gordon Lightfoot moments from the CBC archives, spanning from the 1960s to a more recent 2013 interview for The National.

Do you have any other favourite moments with Lightfoot? Let us know via Instagram@cbc_music.

Lightfoot's early days as a 'famous country dancer'

Before Lightfoot was known as one of Canada's greatest songwriters, he was famous for another reason: as a square-dance singer. From 1960-62, Lightfoot appeared on the CBC show Country Hoedown as a member of the Singin' Swingin' Eight.

"The only reason I was on Country Hoedown was because I was a crackerjack sight-reader and I sang in the vocals chorus," he told Elwood Glover in 1973. "As a matter of fact, I was probably the best singer and harmonizer on it, but every night they'd make us get out there and clog for a minute. That was part of the trip."

Star Machine: Gordon Lightfoot

5 years ago

7:42

Before he was a superstar, Gordon Lightfoot was a TV square dancer.

Alex Trebek interviews Lightfoot on teen dance show

This interview with Alex Trebek on the CBC's Music Hop, a live music show for an audience of teenagers, took place in 1963 three years before Lightfoot released his debut album, Lightfoot!. In the interview, Trebek calls Lightfoot "Gordie," Lightfoot calls Trebek "Al," and Trebek hopes Lightfoot's upcoming songs "turn out real well" for him. It's all very endearing.

Gordon Lightfoot and Alex Trebek on CBC teen dance show in 1963

1 year ago

0:47

A young Gordon Lightfoot speaks to Music Hop host Alex Trebek about his writing and recording plans. Aired Nov. 21, 1963 on CBC's Music Hop.

On writing songs with a Canadian 'atmosphere'

In this short clip from a 1970 interview, a Vancouver teen asks Lightfoot when he started to write "songs about Canada" and his answer gets to the heart of his more atmospheric approach to songwriting.

Gordon Lightfoot says he writes songs with 'the atmosphere of Canada' in 1969

2 months ago

0:44

Gordon Lightfoot talks to Vancouver teens about not exactly writing songs about Canada. Aired on CBC's Down Centre on Nov. 13, 1969.

How his love of sports helps him practise

In 2013, the CBC's Nick Purdon joined Lightfoot at his home, where the singer talked about his love for football and how he practises his songs in front of a small TV in his den, watching sports at the same time.

"Just watch the game, and don't make any mistakes," he said, of his practice strategy.

Gordon Lightfoot

12 years ago

5:58

The CBC's Nick Purdon sits down with legendary Canadian musician Gordon Lightfoot and quickly learned why he was a natural choice for the Grey Cup halftime show.