Singer Gordon Lightfoot in Hospital

Sun Sep 8, 1:15 PM ET

HAMILTON, Ontario (AP) - Singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot, known for fits such as "If You Could Read My Mind," "Carefree Highway" and "Sundown," was being treated in a hospital Sunday for an undisclosed ailment.

Lightfoot, 63, was rushed to a hospital in Orillia, Ontario, shortly before he was scheduled to perform Saturday night to the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital in his hometown of Orillia, about 90 miles north of Toronto, hospital spokeswoman Sharon Burkhart said. He was transferred early Sunday to McMaster University Medical

He was later flown in an air ambulance to the McMaster University Medical Center in Hamilton, Ontario, 30 miles west of Toronto, said Jeff Valentin, the hospital's director of public affairs.

"Mr. Lightfoot and his wife have asked that no more information be given at this time," Valentin said. "I think for right now, they just want to be together as a family."

Lightfoot had been scheduled to appear at the Opera House in Orillia, 50 miles north of Toronto, to promote his latest album, "A Painter Passing Through."

Glen Penwarden, executive director at Orillia's Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, said Lightfoot arrived at the hospital Saturday evening and then was airlifted to Hamilton early Sunday.

Lightfoot is one of Canada's best-known and most-honored performers, receiving the Order of Canada and the Governor General's Performing Arts Award. He was inducted into the Canadian Broadcast Hall of Fame during its 75th annual convention last October.

Along with hits he performed, Lightfoot wrote songs made famous by other performers, such as "Early Mornin' Rain" and "For Lovin' Me" by Peter, Paul and Mary.