11/07/2018
Sometimes History is more than just an old building,
Gordon Edgar Downie (1964-2017) was the lead singer and songwriter of the quintessential Canadian rock band ‘The Tragically Hip’ (The Hip). Today, Gord is widely considered an enormously transformative icon in the Canadian music scene, co-responsible for 9 No. 1 albums in Canada and the winner of 16 Juno Awards.
Gord was not only a pioneer in music but an active contributor in social and environmental issues of the day. He was heavily involved in environmental movements, especially those that helped protect Canadian fresh water. Gord also made a lasting contributor to First Nation’s reconciliation, committed to ensuring a fair and just society for disadvantaged indigenous youth.
Even during a long fight with cancer, Gord never let his condition get him down and was always willing to make his fans smile. He continued to tour the country and put immense energy into the things he loved during his last years. Indeed, one of the oncologists involved in the treatment of Gord was impressed by his courage and called him “a Terry Fox in the modern day.”
We miss you, Gord we know you are rocking on, wherever you are.
(Gord performing for the last time in his hometown Kingston, 2016.)
