Forgive me if this has been mentioned elsewhere but tonight sees the end of the road for one of Canada’s favorite bands The Tragically Hip. Earlier this year lead singer Gord Downie was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer, a tour was booked and tonight they’ll be playing what looks like their last show in their hometown of Kingston Ontario.
Putting the personal tragedy to one side (if that’s ever possible) I’m not a Canadian but this seems to have struck a chord over there and at a time when music seems to be more disposable this looks to be something that has touched people. i always knew that The Hip were big in Canada but didn’t realise that CBC would be screening the show live both in the country and worldwide on Youtube, Facebook etc and that people would be gathering for viewing parties. This seems to have become an ‘event’.
Whilst they never achieved a major breakthrough away from Canada, I was lucky enough too see them live in a small room in a UK university some years ago and they were the business with Gord being a highly watchable front-man. Sorry to see them go but it looks like they’ll be going out with a flourish.
Here’s Grace Too from a recent show.
I came here to post on this, but you beat me to it, so I will just say I completely agree. There’s some nice stuff on twitter on the #courageforgord hashtag and the fact is that The Tragically Hip are a fine band.
Many years ago I saw them play King Tuts in Glasgow. Little Bones is a great tune. Locked In The Trunk Of A Car is a great tune. I’m A Werewolf Baby isn’t, but it has a certain charm.
It’s a bit like when Warren Zevon was dying. It’s sad, it’s awful, but a guy is getting to make a big farewell, and how many of us get to do that? So it’s sad but uplifting at the same time. Gord may not “die happy” I would not presume that much knowledge, but he will die knowing he will be missed by a lot of people who have been touched by his work. And that isn’t sad really. Except, of course it is.
It’s streaming right now…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6pwkHjRWuM
It just finished, and I was all teary. Bugger.
Not too familiar with their music, but it has indeed struck a chord with the Canadian public and right now CBC has wiped out their Olympic coverage to broadcast the last high live. Prime Minister Trudeau is there.
They were here in Ottawa a couple of nights ago. Tickets went in minutes.
Last gig…
My faves from ‘In Violet Light’
Silver Jet
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I’ll be paying for the lack of sleep later but I couldn’t in good faith have missed that. So pleased that CBC put it on YouTube for general viewing in the UK. There was a lot of emotion in that hall and I must admit I served to have somthing in my eye at various points. The end of Grace Too for a start.
Glad to see there’s some love for them amongst the massive.