TORONTO — Gordon Lightfoot, the Canadian folk singer whose artistry made waves globally, has died. He was 84.
Multiple media outlets say Lightfoot died at a Toronto hospital on Monday evening, citing his publicist, Victoria Lord.
Lightfoot’s career emerged out of Toronto’s Yorkville folk club scene in the 1960s. He went on to write and record hundreds of songs, like “Early Morning Rain,” “Carefree Highway” and “Sundown.”
In early April, representatives for Lightfoot announced he would cancel his upcoming tour dates due to unspecified health setbacks.
“We have lost one of our greatest singer-songwriters,” wrote Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a tweet late on Monday.
“Gordon Lightfoot captured our country’s spirit in his music – and in doing so, he helped shape Canada’s soundscape. May his music continue to inspire future generations, and may his legacy live on forever.”
A cause of death was not immediately available.