Thursday, February 24, 2011

Terry Clements

Guitarist best remembered for his work wth Gordon Lightfoot -- via themusicsover.wordpress.com.

8 comments:

  1. 'So sad. He was a friendly man in person, and an integral part of Lightfoot's sound.

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  2. Just learned of Terry's passing earlier today. What a musician he was, and you could have never meet a nicer guy than Terry in or out of the business. Having had a relationship with Gordon Lightfoot for the last 40+ years, I had access often to his management and band members backstage after many Lightfoot concerts. Terry used to laugh at my pigeon Yiddish, since he lived for a while in Los Angeles' dominant Jewish area, Fairfax. When I rewrote the lyrics to a cover tune that Gord sang for many years ("I Used To Be A Country Singer"/"I Used To Run A Kosher Deli"), I sang it for Terry one night, and he laughed until there were tears in his eyes. I'm glad Gord is still out there doing what he loves and does best, but with both Terry and Gord's former manager, Barry Harvey, now gone forever, it's starting to feel very different.

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  3. I live on the West Coast and also am a long time friend of Mr. L's and knew Barry Harvey and the guys in the band well over about 25 years. I just found out tonight, Friday evening reading Toronto arts news online that Terry has died. What a sad, sad event.
    As a consummate performer, Terry added such special musical magic to so many songs and I'll always remember him playing his solo for Sundown. Unforgettable guitar indeed.
    With Barry gone for over three years now and still missed by so many at Gordon tours, now with Terry gone, I agree with Len that the concerts will 'feel' so very different whether another guitarist is used to play in the upcoming shows or that stage right is left empty. Terry will be so missed,
    I just spoke to someone who used to arrange concert tours for them in the 1970's, who is currently in Maui and was absolutely shocked at the news given that I had to tell him of Terry's passing. He's lots of old memories of wonderful times gone by with the band. We talked for awhile about Terry's contribution to the Lightfoot sound being so irreplaceable.
    Does anyone know of the memorial at all?
    May Terry's soul rest in peace knowing that he was so loved by so many.
    Condolences to the family and to Gordon and the band, and Ann in the Production office in Toronto.

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  4. I met Terry in 1978 in a hotel restaurant in Portland, OR, where they had a gig that night. I asked him for his autograph...he and Pee Wee were sitting together and were happy someone knew who they were! I asked him how the tour was going and he talked to me like we were old friends, some good things that were going on and some challenges. He was an uncommonly decent person in a business where that is not always the case. I would imagine it's going to be a lonely stage for GL without the man who was such a part of making the Lightfoot Sound. We love you, Terry.

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  5. Terry awaits the promise of the resurrection through Christ's ransom sacrifice. He was a very private man as he is one of Jehovah's Witnesses and never allowed pride or success interfere with his love for God. See you in the paradise Terry, Jehovah God willing.

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  6. heartbroken at news of terry clements passing..just a lovely man to speak with and a fantastic guitarist..he and gordon have been a special part of my life for nearly 40 yrs...he is a legacy never to be forgotten,,

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  7. I just wanted to say I was reading something online about Gordon and came across the death notice of Terry. 4 months have passed since, but I always like the work of Terry in the group. I was lucky to see him in 1977 and 1980 at Massey Hall. I would have seen him in 2007 at the Fallsview Casino, but they failed to reserve our tickets.

    For a band to stick around that long with such longevity is amazing and Lightfoot's band was and still is professional.

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  8. I first met Terry, Rick, Mike Heffernan and Barry Keane, as well as Barry Harvey and Ann in the November of 1987. Was the exec. producer of an album of Judy Cave which was recorded by the most talented band I had ever worked with and since. It was a real pleasure to know these gentlemen and had enormous respect for them, their abilities, and especially, Mr. Lightfoot, who so graciously shared studio time with me at Eastern Sound. Terry, Judy passed away in 2008 of cancer and I am sure you are both pickin' and grinnin' up there. To Rosalynn and the family - my deepest sympathy in the tremendous loss you must bear and to Mr. Lightfoot - my best wishes for continued success with your new release - Thank God, you released it before you passed. Barry Harvey was a tremendous mentor for me in the precarious business of music and a true loss as well. May you continue to recognize and appreciate all those who work with you. I feel as though great talents have been placed in my life, and now I must watch as they leave. Such a loss - such a void. But their music, gifts and many talents have been left for all of us to enjoy. Thank you, Mr. Lightfoot, for not taking our booking dilemmas out on "the boys."

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