Mayor John Tory presented Gordon Lightfoot – a long time Toronto resident – with a Key to the City, on the occasion of the reopening of Massey Hall, prior to Mr. Lightfoot’s concert this evening.
A Canadian treasure and Toronto icon, Mr. Lightfoot was awarded the Key to the City at his 170th milestone performance at Massey Hall at its official reopening. Mr. Lightfoot was the last to perform on its stage, prior to the Hall closing for renovations in 2018.
Mr. Lightfoot is one of Canada’s greatest songwriters. As a folk-rock legend, he has won 17 Juno Awards, five Grammy nominations and has been recognized by his peers by being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and the U.S. Songwriters Hall of Fame. Over a 50-year career, his many national, provincial and academic honours and awards recognize his numerous and longstanding contributions to performance and song writing. His work continues to inspire and influence folk, folk-rock and country artists from his home in Toronto and around the world.
The Mayor awards the Key to the City to inspiring individuals from diverse backgrounds who embody the spirit and potential of Toronto and who have contributed significantly to civic life. The Key to the City is the highest honour that the City grants to an individual or a group.
November 25 was also proclaimed as Gordon Lightfoot Day in Toronto by Mayor Tory. The proclamation is available at https://www.toronto.ca/city-go
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“Gordon Lightfoot is a legend in Toronto and around the country. He has been a long-time resident who has contributed greatly to our city’s lively music and culture scene. There is no one more deserving than Gordon – who has been a mainstay at Massey Hall – to receive our city’s highest honour. I want to thank Gordon for being such an upstanding citizen – the key to the city is our way of recognizing him and all of his incredible accomplishments.”
– Mayor John Tory
Source City of Toronto
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