Hermantown Musician Releases Viral Gordon Lightfoot Cover

We all know the tragic story of the Edmund Fitzgerald, which tragically sunk in Lake Superior fifty years ago this month. The 50th anniversary is coming up on Monday, November 10th.

Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society teamed up for a special commemoration event on the anniversary of the tragic event, which quickly sold out.

The event will close the lighthouse temporarily while the naval hymn plays, which will be followed by a reading of the names for the crew members that died aboard the ship, along with the tolling of a ship's bell.

The lighthouse will then reopen to visitors, with the beacon remaining lit in the honor of those that died. Ahead of the official anniversary, a Northland native has released something special.

Rafe Carlson Goes Viral For His Cover Of Famous Song About The Tragedy

Hermantown musician Rafe Carlson currently splits his time touring across the midwest and writing songs in Nashville. He struck it big on TikTok a few years ago when he posted a short clip covering The Wreck Of The Edmund Fitzgerald by Gordon Lightfoot.

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As a Northlander himself, Rafe knew the importance of the song and put his own spin on it, releasing it on the anniversary of the event in 2023. He's continued the trend over the years, posting several videos and clips regarding the Edmund Fitzgerald. Now he's stepped it up a notch!

Rafe Carlson Releases Cover Of Gordon Lightfoot Song

Now, Rafe has recorded and released his cover of the song made famous by Gordon Lightfoot, two years after his viral TikTok cover. He put his own 'Great Lakes Country' spin on the song, a sound he describes as a blend of gritty classic southern rock and modern country soul.

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He says that he isn't trying to copy Gordon Lightfoot but rather, to create a more modern version of the song for a new generation. You can catch his version on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Check it out now: