Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie has died at 53
Source: BBC News
Canadian rock band Tragically Hip's frontman Gord Downie has died following a battle with brain cancer. He was 53.
The gifted lyricist - who was dubbed the country's unofficial poet laureate - had been diagnosed with an incurable glioblastoma in May 2016.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau led the national mourning for the star with a tearful public statement.
"He loved every hidden corner, every story, every aspect of this country that he celebrated his whole life," Mr Trudeau said, his voice breaking, on Wednesday. "We are less as a country without Gord Downie in it. We all knew it was coming, but we hoped it was not."
Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41669610
I've been a Hip fan for quite a few years, I don't understand why they never took off here in the US.
catbyte
(34,447 posts)I'm sad about Gord Downie's passing, but selfishly, even sadder that we have a sociopathic, narcissistic subcreature that, instead of soothing us in times of national sadness the way Justin Trudeau just did, derives evil pleasure in upsetting us & tearing us apart.
maxsolomon
(33,400 posts)and it took my mother at 69 about 10 years ago.
its amazing he made it 18 months from diagnosis. resquiat in pacem.
ClusterFreak
(3,112 posts)... to the death of John Lennon, in terms of what each meant. Downie's to Canada, and Lennon to the world. Seriously, he's just that beloved here in my country. He wrote and sang unabashedly about Canadian life, Canadian people and places, and Canadian history, unlike any other contemporary pop artist from this country ever has, perhaps other than the incomparable Stompin' Tom Connors. Google him if you're not familiar. Anyhow, in an entertainment world where the norm is for Canadians to downplay if not whitewash their Canadian-ness, Gord flew the flag proudly in both word and deed, and most artfully in song.
Rest in peace, pal.
mdbl
(4,973 posts)As many times as I have visited I never felt anything but kinship to Canada. Love everything about it and especially the musical and comedic talent. Nothing better!
Snake Plissken
(4,103 posts)ON a side note, I know his godfather coached Boston Bruins when he was a kid, but I could never wrap my head around , one of Canada's national treasures being being a Boston Bruins fan
LiberalLovinLug
(14,176 posts)I think one reason is that unlike other great Canadian rock stars, like Neil Young, or bands like The Band, who moved to the States and wrote songs, great though they are, about life in the USA, The Tragically Hip stubbornly wrote songs, at least many of them, about their home country and its historical characters. Downie could have taken that same path as those others, and been even more successful, but stayed true to his roots for less money and star power.
RIP Gord
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,036 posts)This is a great concert photo, great lighting, perfect timing for positioning and alignment so that all members are visible and in a good pose.
Sunlei
(22,651 posts)The Tragically Hip's Final Concert As Gord Downie Says Goodbye
Bernardo de La Paz
(49,036 posts)mdbl
(4,973 posts)Didn't know Downie was fighting cancer. RIP Gord while I continue listening to your music forever!
Snake Plissken
(4,103 posts)What a great underrated band and an amazing human being, I'm glad I had a chance to see them live.
groundloop
(11,522 posts)groundloop
(11,522 posts)ornotna
(10,807 posts)He will be missed, by so many.
A little bit on the kind of guy Gord was.
http://www.cbc.ca/radio/q/torquil-campbell-on-gord-downie-1.4360037?autoplay=true