The Tragic Story of Gord Downie and The Tragically Hip

The Tragically Hip were a Canadian rock band formed in 1984 in Kingston, Ontario. They were one of the most successful bands in Canadian history, selling over 8 million records worldwide. The band's lead singer, Gord Downie, was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer in 2015. He died in 2017 at the age of 53.

The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip

by Michael Barclay

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9847 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	509 pages

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Early years

The Tragically Hip formed in 1984 when Gord Downie, Paul Langlois, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair, and Johnny Fay met while attending Queen's University in Kingston. The band's name was inspired by a newspaper headline about a local politician who had been caught in a compromising position.

The Tragically Hip released their debut album, Up to Here, in 1989. The album was a critical and commercial success, spawning the hit singles "New Orleans Is Sinking" and "Blow at High Dough." The band followed up with a string of successful albums, including Road Apples (1991),Fully Completely (1992),and Day for Night (1994).

Mainstream success

The Tragically Hip's mainstream breakthrough came in 1995 with the release of the album Trouble at the Henhouse. The album featured the hit singles "Grace, Too" and "Ahead by a Century." Trouble at the Henhouse went on to sell over 1 million copies in Canada, making it the band's best-selling album.

The Tragically Hip continued to release successful albums throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Phantom Power (1998),Music @ Work (2000),and In Violet Light (2002). The band also toured extensively, playing to sold-out crowds across Canada and the United States.

Gord Downie's diagnosis

In 2015, Gord Downie was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. The diagnosis was a devastating blow to the band and their fans. Downie continued to work on music, releasing the solo album Secret Path in 2016. He also toured with The Tragically Hip in 2016, playing a series of sold-out shows that were billed as the band's "final" tour.

Downie died on October 17, 2017, at the age of 53. His death was a profound loss for the Canadian music community and for fans around the world.

Legacy

The Tragically Hip were one of the most successful and influential bands in Canadian history. Their music was known for its poetic lyrics, catchy melodies, and energetic live performances. The band's legacy will live on through their music, which continues to be played and enjoyed by fans around the world.

In 2018, The Tragically Hip were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The band was also awarded the Order of Canada, the highest civilian honor in Canada.

Gord Downie was a gifted songwriter and a passionate performer. He was also a generous and compassionate person, who used his platform to raise awareness of important social and environmental issues. Downie's legacy will continue to inspire musicians and fans for generations to come.

Here are some of The Tragically Hip's most popular songs:

1. "New Orleans Is Sinking"
2. "Blow at High Dough"
3. "Grace, Too"
4. "Ahead by a Century"
5. "Bobcaygeon"
6. "Nautical Disaster"
7. "Poets"
8. "Locked in the Trunk of a Car"
9. "At the Hundredth Meridian"
10. "Wheat Kings"

Here are some of Gord Downie's most popular solo songs:

1. "Secret Path"
2. "The Stranger"
3. "Cottage Country"
4. "The Ballad of a Liberal"
5. "I Am a Man"
6. "I Will Not Go Down"
7. "Forest Fire"
8. "A Better World"
9. "Man Machine Poem"

The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip

by Michael Barclay

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	9847 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	509 pages

FREE