RIP Gord

[SmokestackLightnin]

You fought a brave fight. Thanks for everything.

Edited October 18, 2017 by SmokestackLightnin

[BillM]

This really really sucks.

[grimsbylander]

A loss to millions. RIP

[blaque]

Its the definition of unfair

 

Always remember his last visits to Buffalo on the water, one in a rainstorm

Edited October 18, 2017 by Blaque

[Dutch01]

A great talent and by all accounts a great man. RIP Gordie.

[Jds63]

R.I.P Gord , Condolences to the Downie family ...

 

Thanks for all the great memories listening to your music .... truly a great Canadian !!!!!

[Cast-Away]

One of the best Canadians for sure. His music touched millions. He is up there with other great Canadians living and dead such as Terry Fox, Fredrick Banting, Wayne Gretzky and Chris Hadfield to name but a few.

[leaf4]

We lost a truly great man in Gord, all that embodies Canadiana shone through in how he entertained, his lyrics, style and demeanor made him a genuine guy.

 

Sad day today.

[Pigeontroller]

Man I'm sad...

 

[mike rousseau]

Not often celebrity deaths hit home and upset me

 

Gord's passing has twisted my gut

 

His music accounts for about 10% of the songs on my phone

 

I was lucky enough to see the band perform live with my wife

 

My heart goes out to the family and the other band members... those guys are probably closer than most families

[SirCranksalot]

By all accounts a great human being----very sad news indeed!

[muskymatt]

RIP Gord, a constant source of musical enjoyment for me and my wife for many many years.

I saw them 7 times including the farewell tour in Ottawa

[FloatnFly]

Not often does a musician touch so many people. I think just about everyone can relate to at least one of their songs.

 

I'm so glad I got to watch that final concert, rarely does a concert shut down a countrue

 

A truely great lose to music, and to Canada

[leaf4]

Not often does a musician touch so many people. I think just about everyone can relate to at least one of their songs.

 

I'm so glad I got to watch that final concert, rarely does a concert shut down a countrue

 

A truely great lose to music, and to Canada

As sad as I am, and as sad as it is, I feel he at least was able to give some closure on it via that man, machine, poem tour.

 

A silver lining if you will, at least he got a farewell, and was able to really really know how much he was adored by this country and I'm sure by many many more.

Edited October 18, 2017 by Lucas F

[SirCranksalot]

Statement from Family:

October 18, 2017

Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by.

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… on the lips.

Gord said he had lived many lives. As a musician, he lived “the life” for over 30 years, lucky to do most of it with his high school buddies. At home, he worked just as tirelessly at being a good father, son, brother, husband and friend. No one worked harder on every part of their life than Gord. No one.

We would like to thank all the kind folks at KGH and Sunnybrook, Gord’s bandmates, management team, friends and fans. Thank you for all the help and support over the past two years.

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.

Love you forever Gord.

The Downie Family

[Pigeontroller]

I like what the Prime Minister said, "We are less as a Country without Gord Downie"

[Dave Bailey]

When I first heard about the diagnosis, I made a promise to myself: on the first clear night after Gord's death, I would drive to Bobcaygeon, and see the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time. I did that tonight. Here's what I put on facebook:

 

Lovely evening in Bobcaygeon, and I'm betting they will still be there, and long into the night. We saw the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time. The first was Aquila, the eagle. Very appropriate, given Gord's concern for the First Nations people's, and the importance their culture places on the eagle. And directly above our heads was Lyra, the lyre. It's the only constellation that represents a musical instrument, so again, fitting. I will always remember tonight.

 

 

People begin to gather at the waterfront

 

 

 

The Sun goes down

 

 

 

 

 

Candlelight on the footbridge

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local musician Richard Kyle entertains

 

 

Richard is part of a Tragically Hip tribute band, and knows the members personally.

 

When I left the crowd had grown considerably, and I'm sure they're still having a wonderful time.

[SmokestackLightnin]

To Dave Bailey, great post, thanks for sharing.

[fish_fishburn]

So cool.

[AKRISONER]

amazing tribute, was choppin onions multiple times on during my drives yesterday when all of the radio stations down here in toronto were playing gord and gord only all day.

 

Man when fiddlers green came on...ouch

[Canuck]

Like all of you, this hit me way harder than I thought. Maybe getting older you start to think about mortality a bit more. I watched a bit of the Kingston concert last night but was too emotional to enjoy it. Will watch it on the weekend for sure.

 

Gord had this strange spell over us. His lyrics were so deep and interesting. He was an intellectual without being preachy. He gave his poetry and let you figure it out. Humble and arrogant at the same time.He was such a great showman and one of the few bands that was even better live, and not because they played or sang the songs better. It was something else. It was the man.

 

I think there is something he has left behind for us that we will find out about soon. I just have this feeling. But even if he has just left the stage as he left it, its all good.

Edited October 19, 2017 by Canuck

[FloatnFly]

while going through videos, i found this, an unreleased song, never recorded in studio, but sang at live shows. called montreal, commemorate the École Polytechnique massacre.

Edited October 20, 2017 by FloatnFly

[FloatnFly]

and this one just gave me goosebumps...... a legendary Canadian song covered by a legendary Canadian band.....Enjoy!

 

[bow slayer]

the rock and roll talent we have lost the last few years is mind blowing,what makes it even harder is there is really nobody coming up to replace these icons. RIP Gord.

[Headhunter]

Completely agree Bowslayer. Not much "new" that matches the classic rock format and has the longevity to be an icon such as those we have lost lately. I honestly don't hold a lot of hope for the "classic rock" genre, as I do play in a classic rock bar band and gigs are getting harder to secure, as "millennial's" would rather Karaoke or a DJ as opposed to seeing a live band in the bars.

My own one time seeing The Hip was when they opened for Rush at MLG many years ago. I'll never forget that show, not for the music, but for the first words outta Gord's mouth when he hit the stage... "What a dump!" And he was right, MLG was a dump! I still laugh out loud when I think of that show.

HH