On this day in 1986, Gordon Lightfoot is inducted into the Canadian Hall of Fame

Lightfoot, a Canadian native, is credited with helping to define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 70s.  Some refer to him as Canada’s greatest songwriter, with a number of timeless songs. He has been covered countless times by artists such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Neil Young and Eric Clapton.

Bob Dylan called Lightfoot one of his favourite songwriters, continuing on to say that he couldn’t think of a Gordon Lightfoot song he didn’t like and that he considered him a mentor. He also said  that “every time I hear a song of his, it’s like I wish it would last forever”. Dylan would appear at the Hall of Fame ceremony in Ontario, personally giving Lightfoot his award.

The Hall of Fame award would not be the only honour coming for Lightfoot, as he was also inducted to the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame. In 2003 he was made a Companion of the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honour in the country. He has also been honoured outside of Canada, being inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and just last year received the Golden Plate Award at the American Academy of Achievement.