![]() ![]() It was the year I’d left my family home in Toronto to go play hockey in the OHL. a song like Bobcaygeon has enough familiarity and groove to appeal to the large audience who just wants a good tune to drink beer to at the cottage, yet at the same time challenges the discerning listener and pushes them into unfamiliar territory.In 2005, in a tiny arena in Windsor, Ontario, I fought for my life. I think that is what has endeared them to so many. They also hosted a massive festival bringing along the likes of Eric’s Trip. With Day for Night and Henhouse, the lyrics became more surreal, and the darker grooves gave them a spot on alternative radio. Then they released their masterpiece Fully Completely which was still a rock album, but had dense narrative based lyrics. ![]() ![]() those first two albums fit comfortably alongside Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jeff Healey in the radio. They began as a bar band and playing covers and built their fan base in that late 80s blues and classic rock thing. It really is difficult to explain the impact of this band on Canadians. RIP Sir! You'll be missed but never forgotten here this city loved Gord Downie.Ĭlick to expand.I’ve never been a mega fan but have followed them since I first saw the video for New Orleans on MuchMusic. Gord Downie was a wonderful example of " courage" and " grace, too" We're hurting today, but also grateful and celebrating a great run of music and a life well lived. There may be a lot of bandwagon jumpers on social media today singing his praises, but I knew a lot of hard core fans (and I was one myself) Gord and The Tragically Hip meant so much to so many. We didn't bother him other than to smile and say Hi and raise our glass to him, but that was enough (speaking of Gord Downie as a music fan, you should hear The Tragically Hip's cover of Gordon Lightfoot's "Black Day In July" they made that song their own with that cover) Just a humble down to earth guy and so sweet to us. I got to say Hi to Gord after a Merle Haggard show at Massey Hall in 2006 he was there as a fan and at a local pub for a beer with his friends after the show. When I saw them in late 1996 at Maple Leaf Gardens, they were the greatest band on the planet that night (no kidding!) They were perfect " that night in Toronto". They had great, catchy melodies and intelligent, fun lyrics that were great to sing along to. The Hip were a dynamite, no frills 'rock and roll' band. I saw them many times over the years since 1993 when they played with Midnight Oil (one of my favourite bands at that time) Since '93, I saw them at just about every venue in this city (The Molson Ampitheatre, The Air Canada Centre, Maple Leaf Gardens, Fort York.) If you were 18 or over in 1989 and liked Rock music (and listened to FM radio here), you likely loved The Tragically Hip. They have literally been the soundtrack to our lives in this city (and country for that matter) if you're a certain age. Our US friends on this forum likely have no idea just how big this band was here since 1989. have been calling in to the CBC and AM640 to talk about what Gord and The Tragically Hip meant to them. Even though we all knew here in Toronto that one day this would come, we're all still really shaken here by this sad news.Įvery radio station today that matters here has been playing The Hip's music and lots of fans and musicians, critics, etc. ![]()
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