OrilliaMatters welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected]. Please include your daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). The following letter is in response to ''Huge event': Orillia prepares to say goodbye to Gordon Lightfoot,' published May 4
Gordon Lightfoot provided so many memories for so many people. One memory is playing over and over in my mind today.
I thumbed from Toronto to Sudbury in 1976. Turning left, I headed for the mountains. Employment in Banff was the destination.
I recall one day hearing that Lightfoot would be playing in Edmonton the coming Saturday. Well, I left Banff at seven in the morning that Saturday.
My thumb took me to Calgary, then Red Deer and finally to Edmonton around six. I purchased a single ticket at the far end of the Edmonton Coliseum.
I remember Lightfoot walking on stage. I recall the voice, the cheers, the applause, and a palpable sadness as the show closed.
After the show, I slept in a city park by a river with a few thousand other Lightfoot fans, then thumbed back to Banff the next day.
The show date was July 24, 1976.
How do I remember the date? I still have the ticket stub.
Gordon, thank you for the memories.
Gordon, rest in peace.
Eric Proctor
Peterborough
