The Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie dies

[Raid]

The news was announced this morning:

I don't know how many people here know of the band or are fans, but not only was he a great talent, but an insightful, poetic and down right decent human being. I got the pleasure of seeing the band twice. Gord had a great energy and his live 'improvs' were always bizarre yet beautiful. I didn't get to see the bands last public concert in person, but CBC did it right and ran it on TV without any commercials for 2(?) hours.
We knew this was coming, but when it happens it still hits ya.

Gord Downie, the Tragically Hip frontman who united a diverse array of music lovers with his commanding stage presence and Canadiana-laced lyrics, has died.

He was 53.

Downie had an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer called glioblastoma, which he discovered after a seizure in December 2015.

He died Tuesday night surrounded by his children and family, according to a statement on the band's website.

 

[MacNut]

I can honestly say I have no idea who that is.

 

[bodonnell202]

Canadian here. Gord Downie is as Canadian as Maple Syrup and his music and contribution to this country will be sorely missed. Rest in peace.

 

[Flynnstone]

Sirius Xm seems to be having a Tragically Hip channel on channel 151

 

[Raid]

For those that didn't know who he was, the NY Times summed it up pretty good for our neighbors to the south.

The place of honor that Mr. Downie occupies in Canada’s national imagination has no parallel in the United States. Imagine Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Michael Stipe combined into one sensitive, oblique poet-philosopher, and you’re getting close. The Tragically Hip’s music “helped us understand each other, while capturing the complexity and vastness of the place we call home,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in a statement on Wednesday. “Our identity and culture are richer because of his music, which was always raw and honest — like Gord himself.”

& a couple of good quotes on twitter too.

Imagine a giant huge enough to crush stadiums, to reach across a nation, big enough to love everyone.
We didn’t have to imagine.
RIP Gord.

— Brent Butt (@BrentButt) October 18, 2017

Dear World, Canada

will be closed today due to a death in the family. #GordDownie #TragicallyHip

 

[ChrisChaval]

Did not know the band, did not know him

Now listening to the Woodstock 99 concert ...

Beautiful music, beautiful voice !

I am sorry he had to go so soon, too soon, but I am nonetheless grateful I had the chance to discover his music today and it is safe to say his tunes will stay forever

Thanks for letting us know

 

[Old Muley]

I've been a fan of the Hip since 1989 and was lucky to see them in concert two years ago. It was just a few months after that that Gord discovered he had the brain tumor. Really made me reflect on just how important that concert was to me.

 

[gkarris]

Canadian here. Gord Downie is as Canadian as Maple Syrup and his music and contribution to this country will be sorely missed. Rest in peace.

American here.

Thanks for the vid - never heard of them. Really like the video and song and will check them out.

My most favorite band is Rush... and I love Maple Syrup...

 

[bodonnell202]

American here.

Thanks for the vid - never heard of them. Really like the video and song and will check them out.

My most favorite band is Rush... and I love Maple Syrup...

Most Americans haven't, unless you live in a border town. A lot of their songs are about Canada and our shared cultural experience so I get that they wouldn't have the same appeal in America.
If you are checking them out though here are some of my favourites: