Statement from Gord Downie’s webpage Oct 17, 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
That was the first message I read Wednesday morning. It was a sad day but the nation mourned together and it was comforting. I was happy that he had that time to accomplish so many things this past year and found some peace in that. His words and music have touched so many and he will be missed. Thankfully he left us his music to listen to and next week his solo project, Introduce Yerself, will be released. He lives on through the music.
There is a great article in Maclean’s by Michael Barclay about Gord and says it all much better than I can. The Spotify playlist below was from the Man Machine Poem Tour last year, which I am so glad I made the trek to Edmonton for, with some added tracks from his solo albums. There is also a YouTube playlist with some Tragically Hip covers from other Canadian artists honouring Gord and his contributions to the Canadian music scene.
Feist pays tribute to Gord Downie with “The Stranger” cover.
It’s cool man. You can go. Everything’s cool. Don’t worry. Love you Gord!
Good morning!
Hello
Hi. Great show last night with Odd Years, and Elliott Brood. (Turns out it was six years since EB’s last visit.) Sold out show, enthusiastic crowd.
Hello, happy Friday! Glad to hear you enjoyed Elliot Brood and Odd Years, Benoit!
The last time EB played near here our friend Barb put me on the guest list but I couldn’t get there (or rather there was no way I could get home after the show) so I couldn’t see them.
Full album playlists have been added to yesterdays post
I was away from the blog yesterday, so I don’t know if this was discussed, but Ian Campeau is leaving a Tribe Called Red
http://www.cbcmusic.ca/posts/19164/a-tribe-called-red-ian-campeau-dj-ndn-leaving-band.
I’m interested to see what he does next, and if any of his new projects will include music.
In other ATCR news… http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/a-tribe-called-red-pulls-out-m%C3%ACw%C3%A0te-1.4354934
Hi all.
I had heard about Ian Campeau leaving. It will be interesting to see what he and the rest of the ATCR members go from here.
I myself am not interested in even seeing what was concocted at the Chaudière Falls. Now, the people responsible did ‘consult’ with all sorts of people, including Algonquins (but which ones?), but I’m not interested in seeing the Chaudière Falls lit with red and other coloured lights, with a sound system spewing a commentary approved by the Government of Canada. I do not know any of that, it’s all a guess, but I think ATCR *was* consulted, and things were made to sound good, but in the end they thought ‘what the fuck is this shit?”
I could be completely wrong about that too. Might just be that they had taken the wrong political decision and had to backtrack, in order to stick with their side, their heritage.
(For another moment, I’ve also got a bit of an opinion about the use of the word ‘sacred’, in the article.)
Hi guys! Happy Friday! (except for the grieving for Gord part)
Hello all. I had fun in Vancouver seeing Rural Alberta Advantage as well as Arcade Fire. I was hoping to see Whitehorse two nights ago back home but I was not up for it. These fractured ribs and IV infusions of iron are slowing me down still. Happy to be soaking up what I can though.
Hello funhug and morgana! Nice to see you on here. I am glad you got to have some fun in Vancouver morgana. Heal up and be patient with yourself.
RAA and Arcade Fire in Vancouver sound like fun! Glad you enjoyed seeing them Morgana! I hope you’re feeling better soon!
So how about that weather? We are having some warm and sunny weather the last couple days. Lovely.
Classy Chassys are playing tomorrow. They’re a blast, but it will be a late night. Not sure I want to be up that late since Bend Sinister is Sunday. I’m assuming it’ll be an early show
Classy Chassys huh. The name conjures a picture. I am having trouble getting to things I would like to these days. Just too little time and energy left over. I will see Bend Sinister tomorrow night though.
I’m headed to Wolf Parade this weekend, I’ve never seen them before, so I’m rather excited!
And I am sooo jealous!! I dream of seeing them some day.
I’ll bring full details on Monday, I promise 🙂
is this what it conjures up?
Bend Sinister will blow the doors off Artful Dodger. It’s pretty tiny
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzm1waXPjyk
A little more hipster than I thought but otherwise pretty close to what I imagined. Yes Bend Sinister will probably but it will be fine.
Thanks Janet!
The Esmerine album is another beautiful album from them. I will be getting the vinyl for this one.
Have a great weekend everybody!! I am going to go watch the Hip documentary on CTV.
RIP Gord
g’night