That same day, the band said it would mount a Canadian tour despite Downie’s cancer. When the band made the news public the following May, expressions of sorrow poured in from across the country.įans left flowers in Kingston, where Downie grew up. And he wanted to make it better,” Trudeau said in Ottawa.ĭownie was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain cancer, in December 2015. “He loved every hidden corner, every aspect of this country that he celebrated his whole life. He was the frontman of one of Canada’s most iconic bands, a rock star, artist, and poet whose evocative lyrics came to define a country.” Trudeau also said in a written statement that “Downie uncovered and told the stories of Canada. “I thought I was going to make it through this but I’m not. We all knew it was coming but we hoped it wasn’t,” said Trudeau, his voice breaking. “We are less as a country without Gord Downie in it. (Photo: Reuters)Īn emotional Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wept in Parliament while talking about Downie on national television in a statement to reporters. While Canadian musicians Drake, the Weeknd and Justin Bieber have made waves internationally, the Tragically Hip built a huge following of die-hard homegrown fans.
Ahead by a Century and Bobcaygeon are among the best known. Since The Tragically Hip’s first album in 1987, the band has provided a soundtrack for the lives of many Canadians. KINGSTON, Ontario: Gord Downie, who made himself part of Canada’s national identity with songs about hockey and small towns as lead singer and songwriter of iconic rock band The Tragically Hip, has died at age 53 after a battle with brain cancer.Ī statement on the band’s website said he died Tuesday night “with his beloved children and family close by.” The statement did not give a cause of death, though he had been diagnosed earlier with brain cancer.
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