"God knew this day was coming - his response was to spend his precious time as he always had - making music, making memories and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends for a life well lived, often sealing it with a kiss. But through it all, Downie remained the consummate showman, rocking out on stage in distinctive leather suits. Millions tuned in.ĭownie later said that he needed six teleprompters during the concert series so he would not forget lyrics. Tickets for the 2016 summer tour sold out almost immediately, culminating in a national broadcast of the band's final tour stop at Kingston, Ontario. That same day, the band said it would mount a Canadian tour despite Downie's cancer. When the band made the news public the following May, expressions of sorrow poured in from across the country. And he wanted to make it better," Trudeau said in Ottawa.ĭownie was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain cancer, in December 2015. "He loved every hidden corner, every aspect of this country that he celebrated his whole life. He was the frontman of one of Canada's most iconic bands, a rock star, artist, and poet whose evocative lyrics came to define a country." Trudeau also said in a written statement that "Downie uncovered and told the stories of Canada. "I thought I was going to make it through this but I'm not. We all knew it was coming but we hoped it wasn't," said Trudeau, his voice breaking. "We are less as a country without Gord Downie in it. While Canadian musicians Drake, the Weeknd and Justin Bieber have made waves internationally, the Tragically Hip built a huge following of die-hard homegrown fans.Īn emotional Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wept in Parliament while talking about Downie on national television in a statement to reporters. "Ahead by a Century" and "Bobcaygeon" are among the best known. Since The Tragically Hip's first album in 1987, the band has provided a soundtrack for the lives of many Canadians. Thank you everyone for all the respect, admiration and love you have given Gord throughout the years - those tender offerings touched his heart and he takes them with him now as he walks among the stars.TORONTO - Gord Downie, who made himself part of Canada's national identity with songs about hockey and small towns as lead singer and songwriter of iconic rock band The Tragically Hip, has died at age 53 after a battle with brain cancer.Ī statement on the band's website said he died Tuesday night "with his beloved children and family close by." The statement did not give a cause of death, though he had been diagnosed earlier with brain cancer. Thank you for all the help and support over the past two years. We would like to thank all the kind folks at KGH and Sunnybrook, Gord's bandmates, management team, friends and fans. No one worked harder on every part of their life than Gord. At home, he worked just as tirelessly at being a good father, son, brother, husband and friend. As a musician, he lived "the life" for over 30 years, lucky to do most of it with his high school buddies. Gord knew this day was coming - his response was to spend this precious time as he always had - making music, making memories and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends for a life well lived, often sealing it with a kiss. Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by. In August of that year, the band wrapped up it’s final tour in its hometown of Kingston, Ont. In May 2016, Downie revealed to the public that he had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The statement says “Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by.” A statement posted to the official Twitter and Facebook accounts of The Tragically Hip announced this morning that frontman Gord Downie had died Tuesday evening.
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