Gordon Lightfoot Cause of Death: Did Singer-Songwriter, 84, Die of Health-Related Issues?

Gordon Lightfoot, the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter, has died. He was 84.

Lightfoot's family has been receiving heartfelt messages and support since announcing his death Monday. Fans also expressed their heartbreak after losing the legendary musician.

Gordon Lightfoot Dead at 84

Multiple news outlets cited the announcements made by Lightfoot's family and publicist regarding his death. Both statements (via Billboard) revealed that the "If You Could Read My Mind" hitmaker passed away Monday at the age of 84 at a hospital in Toronto.

A similar message was posted on the crooner's Facebook page.

"It is with profound sadness that we confirm that Gordon Meredith Lightfoot has passed away. Gordon died peacefully on Monday, May 1, 2023, at 730 p.m. at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto," the statement read.

The same social media post disclosed that he died of natural causes.

Before his passing, he canceled his US and Canada tour dates due to health-related issues. Per the statement, at that time, Lightfoot was already struggling due to an undisclosed illness and was not able to confirm the rescheduled tour dates.

In the past years, he went through several issues, starting with his September 2002 stomach aneurysm. He experienced an emergency health issue while preparing for his two-night show in his hometown of Orillia.

It led him to be airlifted to Hamilton's McMaster Medical Center where he underwent emergency vascular surgery. He was also in a six-week coma and experienced a tracheotomy before receiving four more medical procedures and a follow-up surgery in 2003.

In September 2006, Lightfoot suffered a minor stroke that affected his middle and ring fingers on his right hand. Fortunately, he was able to regain the parts' mobility the next year.

Gordon Lightfoot Honored Following His Passing

After the announcement of Gordon Lightfoot's death, his friends, colleagues, and fans paid tribute to him and remembered his contributions to the music industry.

Even Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, wrote his heartbreak and said that the world lost "one of the greatest singer-songwriters."

Bryan Adams, Stephen King, Belinda Carlisle, and Brian Wilson also penned tribute messages.

Lightfoot started his career in the 1960s and continuously released several hit songs, including "Sundown," "Carefree Highway," and "If You Could Read My Mind." His notable career led him to win 13 Juno awards and four Grammy awards.

In 2012, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, becoming one of his major awards aside from the 1986 Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

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