Gordon Lightfoot
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald/Artists
More than 40 years ago this week, the Edmund Fitzgerald sank to the bottom of Lake Superior, carrying 29 men to their deaths on Nov. 10, 1975. It’s recalled, in part, because it’s the most recent disaster on the Great Lakes. But it’s also remembered because recording artist Gordon Lightfoot immortalized it in song.
Who wrote the famous song about the Edmund Fitzgerald sinking?
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
| “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” | |
|---|---|
| Label | Reprise |
| Songwriter(s) | Gordon Lightfoot |
| Producer(s) | Lenny Waronker Gordon Lightfoot |
| Gordon Lightfoot singles chronology |
Who wrote the song Edmund Fitzgerald?
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald/Composers
When did the Edmund Fitzgerald song come out?
1976
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald/Released
How big were the waves that sank the Edmund Fitzgerald?
Edmund Fitzgerald sank at the eastern edge of the area of high wind where the long fetch, or distance that wind blows over water, produced significant waves averaging over 23 feet (7.0 m) by 7:00 p.m. and over 25 feet (7.6 m) at 8:00 p.m.
Did they ever find the bodies from the Edmund Fitzgerald?
The Fitzgerald met its fate while traveling on Lake Superior during a storm on November 10, 1975. Although the captain of the Fitzgerald reported having difficulties during the storm, no distress signals were sent. The entire crew of 29 people died when the vessel sank. No bodies were ever recovered from the wreckage.
Where did the Edmund Fitzgerald song come from?
That’s how the Edmund Fitzgerald song was born. Soon after writing the song, Lightfoot recorded it at Eastern Sound in downtown Toronto in December 1975. The studio was famous for recording artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Cat Stevens, Jimi Hendrix, and Rush.
Why is the Edmund Fitzgerald wreck remembered so fondly?
Another is that it’s the most recent Great Lakes disaster. On top of that, the incident is remembered because Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot immortalized the incident with what’s known as the Edmund Fitzgerald song — “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” We’ve taken a deep dive into how the song came to be and its overall reception.
Did Gordon Lightfoot sink the Edmund Fitzgerald?
This is the case with Canadian singer/songwriter Gordon Lightfoot who used his own words to tell the story of the tragic sinking of freight ship SS Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior through his ominous tune “The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald.”
Why is the Fitzgerald so famous?
Edmund Fitzgerald was also praised for her lightning-fast speed and could transfer loads from one side of the lakes to the other quicker than any other of the ships. The monstrous ship broke all of the records for the amount of weight it could carry, and then kept breaking its own records.
