Folk singer Gordon Lightfoot dead at 84

Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot has died at the age of 84.

Victoria Lord, the musical artist's publicist, confirmed his death on Monday, according to Pitchfork. His career spanned more than 50 years, beginning in the 1960s, during which he wrote songs that famous artists such as Marty Robbins and Peter, Paul & Mary recorded before he launched a career of his own.

Lightfoot found his greatest success during the 1970s, achieving acclaim for singles such as "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald," "If You Could Read My Mind," and "Sundown."

In 1986, he was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.