Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot dies at age 84

Singer Gordon Lightfoot died Monday night at age 84, his longtime publicist Victoria Lord told CBC News.

The Canadian who captivated millions of hearts with folk hits such as “Sundown,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Early Mornin’ Rain,” “Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald” and hundreds of other melodies was known as Canada’s folk-poet laureate, winning a lifetime achievement Juno Award in 1986.

Among his fans was Bob Dylan, who lauded Lightfoot in the notes for his 1985 box set, “Biograph,” as a major influence.

“I always thought that one man, the lone balladeer with the guitar, could blow a whole army off the stage if he knew what he was doing; I’ve seen it happen,” Dylan wrote. “Gordon Lightfoot, every time I hear a song of his, it’s like I wish it would last forever.”

Lightfoot was falsely reported as dead in 2010, when he was 71, the victim of nothing but a death hoax.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.