You’re going to make a bunch of Canadians cry with this video. We all miss Gord and the hip. The tour was amazing, he hit all the major cities in canada and the final show was broadcast everywhere and canada stopped to watch from wherever we were. Please listen to wheat kings, fiddlers green and scared my personal favs
We often joke about how the Country will pause when there is a big Hockey game happening and a Canadian team is involved. (Olympic Gold medal, World Juniors, Stanley Cup, etc....) That final concert by the Hip was one time when the entire country really did pause. It even overshadowed the Olympics in Brazil at the time; the Canadian athletes (and friends) gathered to watch the concert live while they were in Rio.
On the NY Times following Gord's death, Simon Vozick-Levinson from Rolling Stone magazine wrote: “The place of honor that Mr. Downie occupies in Canada’s national imagination has no parallel in the United States,” he wrote, and continued: “Imagine Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Michael Stipe combined into one sensitive, oblique poet-philosopher, and you’re getting close.” He could simply have written that Canadians truelly and deeply loved him, and still do!
Crushed me to hear that Gord was inevitably going to pass too early. It was like losing a best friend or a close relative. He was something special for sure and touched many peoples lives.
The night of the Hip's last concert, CBC was also broadcasting the summer Olympics that year. The concert pre-empted the Olympics. That was what the Hip meant to us that the Olympics got pre-empted.
Almost all of canada were watching their last concert. They decided to broadcast it live on CBC because they wanted all of canada to see it, not just the ones who could afford tickets. People had screens set up in their back gardens and streamed it and neighbors gathered, drinks were had, and SO many people in tears. Gord was God that night. We all could see and hear he was failing in health, but we were all so proud of him that he accomplished what he wanted in his final days. He was a huge advocate of us indigenous peoples. He would be proud that canada & the government finally recognised the atrocities that the indigenous dealt and deal with, but he would keep pushing for more. If you look up "good canadian" in the dictionary, you would see "The Hip", and perhaps Ryan Reynolds. LOL. Both amazing philanthropist and spread awareness of canadian causes.
Yes, we can't talk about Gord's legacy without The Secret Path, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Foundation and his passion for educating Canada on its darkest history. I'm sure it is one of the things he was most proud of.
It should also be noted that the CBC showed the concert with zero ads and no talking heads. It was a great show. I had seen them live in Vancouver several years previous, on a spur of the moment, we bought scalper tickets outside the venue .. so glad I went for it.
This American knows the hip! Being from Buffalo n.y. and just a little river between us I was able to see the hip like be many times! And that makes me a lucky American!
It has been said that Rush is the musical gift that Canada gave to the world and The Tragically Hip is the musical gift Canada kept for herself. I was in Kingston several years ago and my cab driver and I were chatting as he drove me down to the waterfront. He said "oh look, there's Gord Downey". Gord was walking down the street with 3 or 4 other people. He was at home, just being down to earth like most Canadians are. You could do a follow up reaction of Peter Mansbridge of CBC interviewing Gord Downey after Gord was diagnosed with Brain Cancer. I have seen UA-cam videos of this interview. It's worth watching. Bobcageon is pronounced Bob-cage-on.
1 in 3 households in Canada tuned into that final concert. The CBC paid $700 million for the rights to the 2016 Olympics and then interrupted their own coverage of the Olympics to broadcast the final concert. Millions of us watched from bars, hockey arenas, backyards, cottages and neighborhood block parties blasted that final concert. No noise complaints just one final summer with the Hip. And yes you got 2 mellow songs. Check out New Orleans is Sinking.... Actually check out their whole library and you'll see why we still love Gord and The Hip.
I saw them live more times than I can count, then hosted the party of the year for the last show. I am certain I am not the only Canadian with that same story. The Hip are legends. Their reputation will always precede them 😊
I remember walking through the byward market (Ottawa) on that night and everyone crowding in the pubs and at the windows. It was like the music was coming from everywhere. ❤
Couldn't watch this without tears coming to my eyes. Gord and the Tragically Hip were a quintessentially Canadian band that spoke to Canadian issues and culture through their lyrics. Rest in peace Gord!
The entire country shut down for that final concert. It was broadcast coast to coast and around the world. Canadians everywhere were glued to the final show broadcast. Screens were put up in the streets, and hearts were filled with joy and heartbreak all at the same time. You need to watch the final show to even begin to understand what The Hip mean to us 🇨🇦
Big fat kudos to the CBC for airing the final concert entirely without a single commercial/ad. They probably used every single camera they had and streamed it from a ton of different angles. At work, we just stopped everything we were doing and watched. The poor guy was so far gone, he needed teleprompters to remind him of the lyrics he wrote. One of the most beautiful concerts I've ever seen. I shed a tear every single time.
We watched it streamed live at the amphitheatre in Fundy National Park. All wrapped up in blankets, smelling of Off mosquito spray, and bawling our eyes out together. It was amazing!
I watched it on a 50” with a great sound system at a friend’s place - not the biggest Hip fan but also NOT going to miss the concert of a lifetime. Worth every second. But - I was also PVR-ing it. I still have it on my PVR. I grab it every so often. But it wrecks me harder now that it did then when I was part of the national emotional experience, because now, I understand who we lost, and why he was a treasure to generations.
I’m American but my dad listened to the hip when he was younger living in Michigan. This has been my favorite band in the world since I was 13. Their music has always been one of the big things me and my dad always connected on.
Michigan was lucky... Ontario has shit for music venues, so the Hip would frequent Detroit. We saw the Hip everywhere from tiny clubs to hockey arenas - Then there was Gord and the Sadies... ua-cam.com/video/9wvL3lhmkDg/v-deo.html
My daughter went to see his final concert in Calgary, Canada when she was as battling Metastatic Breast Cancer and we played his song, “Ahead By A Century” at her celebration of life. It definitely described her! So appropriate for her final goodbye!
So sad you lost your daughter. I can’t imagine losing mine - the pain & grief would be unbearable. Sending you deep encircling hugs - remember to take care of yourself.
The hip was for most canadians the soundtrack of our lives. True genius in every single word. During that last concert, Canada was closed...we were all hanging out with the hip saying our goodbyes to a great great man.
When I was at one of their shows on the final tour, the line that I’d heard many times but suddenly slapped me in the face bc of stuff going on in my life was “even babies raised by wolves, they know exactly when they’ve been used.”
I was at a cottage in Muskoka when the last concert was held, people on the lake set up huge speakers and pumped it out across the lake, my friends and I sang along and listened with tears in our eyes by the fire pit. One of my best and most Canadian memories for sure ❤🇨🇦
I’m from Buffalo. Buffalo has always been known as The Hip’s American hometown. I’m 20 years old and was born and raised on them. We brought our tv on our porch for the last concert and had a watch party with our whole family and whole neighborhood. I’d give anything to have seen them live
The news of Gordon Downie's cancer diagnosis and later death was a dagger in the heart for many Canadians. And apparently still raw (for me at least) as I started crying when you learned of his diagnosis and death. I am certain that almost every Canadian was watching that last concert when the CBC broadcasted it live. They were a huge impact on the Canadian music scene and definitely sang to us "our stories". They will always be remembered fondly. xoxo "No dress rehearsal, this is our life."
Gord went on tour to say goodbye to Canada because HE knew WE needed to say goodbye to him! Still can’t listen to The Hip without crying! The world just isn’t the same without you Gordie!! RIP friend 💔
Truly a part of my life and will always be! Im 50 - I was lucky enough to see them in Calgary about 20 times. The most memorable shows were "Silver Dollar" casino for the Road Apples tour (a small venue) and so lucky to be front row for Day for Night at the Saddledome 2 years later. Shed many tears for The last show - shitty seats, but there are no bad seats for The Hip. Miss ya Gord!
Canada has a population of ~40 Million. The final concert of that tour, in a Kingston Ontario, was watched by ~12 Million Canadians or about 40% of the adults. Never to be forgotten. RIP Gord.
I was at the concert in Kingston and it was very bittersweet, knowing Gord Downie was dying of brain cancer, as an adult male in his 40's, I'm not ashamed to admit, I actually cried when they sang New Orleans is sinking. My favorite song of theirs.
I had the pleasure of seeing them open for the Stones in Moncton and that is also my favorite song. I never got to hear it live as they opted to not play it because at the time New Orleans was LITERALLY sinking! (flooding from Hurricane Katrina)
Tyler: The two songs you listened to were definitely examples of their layer back stuff. “New Orleans is Sinking” is much more up beat and likely relatable from your perspective as an American.
You literally made me cry. As a Canadian, thank you for taking the time learn about The Hip. I grew up with this band and they were such a huge part of my life. I appreciate your comments and I hope you are now a fan. ❤
The country came to a stand still during their final show. I still cry when I watch the final encore. When Gord died and it was announced on the radio I saw people pull to the side of the road and people were hugging. So emotional.
I wish you had read the parts of Wikipedia about their final show: A National Celebration. And, truly, that's what it was. The CBC broadcast it live and *commercial free* across all their platforms. TV, radio, even UA-cam. They chose to air it instead of the Olympics. At least 12 million people watched it. *That's a full third of the country*. And that's not counting on the fact that many of the individuals watching it were actually viewing parties. It was played in bars, movie theaters, town square, everywhere. The actual number of people who watched it was probably closer to half the country. Even the Prime Minister was there. During that tour, the cancer was affecting him. He needed teleprompters to remember the lyrics of songs he had written and sung for 40 years. But instead of staying home and spending what little time he had left with friends and family, he did this. He put it all out there. Despite all he has already done, he have the country one last gift; himself. IMO, he essentially died a martyr for Canadian culture.
Pretty sure that was in 1992, Dan Aykroyd hosted the episode. One of the first times I was up that late watching tv! edit: Others are saying 1995....a while ago anyway.
We were some of few lucky Americans who discovered this band.. Shortly after we were married and just a few months after we got a place of our own, young and broke, we would wander the mall in the evenings just for entertainment. Back when they had music stores in malls and listening stations. I forget who listened first and called over the other to partake. We didn’t really have the money. We bought the cd anyway. That’s how The Tragically Hip became the soundtrack of our marriage of nearly thirty years. One night in Kingston, ON, a man walks out on stage. He has brain cancer. He knows his days are numbered. For over a quarter of a century, this band, this music, this man, has been the humble and empathic soul of Canada. The Prime Minister, a lifelong fan, is in the audience. Tens of thousands more pack the hockey arena, thousands more gather outside just to be there at this moment. The band is flawless. He sings with a power and grace that only comes from experience, dedication, and talent. This is how gods are made. The last line he sings - “And disappointing you is getting me down.” We love you. We miss you Gord.
I was at their final show in Vancouver in 2016. It was INTENSELY emotional. I remember that, while he and everyone else in the stadium knew he was dying soon, before he left the stage after the final encore, he gently said, "I'll see you again, I'll see you again, I'll see you again." It was heartbreaking and so touching.
I was at that show as well. I was super broke at the time and really couldn't afford tickets but I'm so glad I spent that money. Being surrounded by people showing their love for a man most of us had never met, but who had been so influential in all our lives is something I'll never forget.
@@shawncharles9980Same, scraped and saved to get a seat in the literal back row, I cried so much. the entire audience stepping in to sing when Gord asked is something that's gonna stick with me
You need to understand: not only did CBC live broadcast that final concert in every possible way they could, they pre-empted live coverage of the Rio Olympics to do so - and made sure the Canadian Olympic team in Rio had a way to watch it live, as well. Gord was our guy. Sadly missed
17 million people would watch the CBC broadcast of their final performance. Another Canadian artist you might be interested in is Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon was an Iconic Canadian musician who we recently lost in May. His ballad "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is a song that crosses borders. He wrote it because he thought the loss of the American ship wasn't getting enough news coverage. He would donate the proceeds from the song to the families who lost their loved ones.
Ah, heck, if we're going in that musical direction, try some Stan Rogers on for size too? "The Mary Ellen Carter" lives on my office wall in soundprint form.
My brother lived in Sudbury and was a bartender in about the only hotel in town. The hip played a local show and after their show, they stayed at his hotel. All the band members were hockey fans. My brother was able to arrange ice team with the local rink owner and they played hockey after their show. It is a memory he will remember always...
My greatest memory of The Hip's last tour was how emotional it was all across Canada. Everyone was trying to get Hip concert tickets. I remember on how humble they were. They made a pack at the beginning of their career to split everything up equally between each band member including recognition. I think that's what kept them together so long. They kept ticket prices affordable and they used their national platform to help everyone. One of Gord's last project was to shine a light on the residential school injustices. ua-cam.com/video/za2VzjkwtFc/v-deo.html
Especially for those of us "of a certain age," the Hip's last concert was an incredible outpouring of solidarity, emotion, and love of the music and legacy he left us. The final song, "Ahead By a Century," and all the shots of EVERYONE singing along together is still so powerful. Gord put in an incredible performance, for someone in such a fragile state of health.
The Hip never caught on around the world because their songs were so deeply and specifically Canadian. The lyrics, the sounds, the feeling. Usually specific places too. Boycaygeon transports me right to a central Ontario summer, whether I want to or not. I had to teach someone the meaning of the word nostalgia. I played that song.
Also, I think that was because the Hip never fell into the trap of 'I have to move to the USA to be really big'. They were Canadians and proud to be so. They made a good living in Canada and loved the country and its people. I am reminded (this will age me) of the comedians Wayne and Shuster who refused to move to the USA although they held the record for the most appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show by any other act (67 times). But they still wanted to be Canadians and live in their country.
The reason The Hip never caught on internationally is because they chose to be a Canadian band for Canada. They did not push themselves outside the country like most do. BTW... The song "Bobcaygeon" has NOTHING to do with the Ontario town. The name was chosen because it rhymed. Nothing else.
If you are willing to have a broken heart, watch the final song of the final show. The raw emotion that pours out of Gord will change you forever. That final scream. Haunting.
If there's one thing Canadians can agree on, it's their love of The Hip, and Gord Downie. I was a teen when they burst onto the scene and had the privilege to spend my young adult years watching and listening to this band flourish and put out hit after hit. Thanks for taking the time to learn a bit about them.
Thanks Tyler! Ive been watching your videos for a while now. But this was by far the most touching. Im a 48 year old former oil rigger and im proud to admit i cried watching this just like i cried watching the final concert. Maybe you could do a part two to this video. The world needs to know The Hip. And there is so much more to the story.
That last concert was broadcast on big screens in outdoor parks across Canada. I watched with hundreds of people in a park in Huntsville, Ontario. It was emotional and inspiring. UA-cam does have the full concert. The ending ... wow! And, btw, you know you're Canadian if you know someone named Gord - i know 3
Tyler I grew up down the street from Gord, they are a true Canadian Gift!! I'm from kingston Ontario & was in his Grade 10 English Class. A great song for you to hear is "New Orleans is Sinking ". Thanks for your video!!! ❤
As someone who was not a big fan but could appreciate the talent I loved watching that final concert. It was so amazing. Another side to Gord was his support of indigenous people. Chanie Wenjack is a story that Gord brought to the attention of people.
I remember the last concert in Kingston (live in Kingston) walking around downtown at 6 am on a sunny summer day and crying. I loved them all and my dad actually did the artwork for the album "Music at Work"
This band has a soft spot for me. My homeroom teacher in high school actually was a very close friend of Gord Downie, and displayed concert memorabilia all around his desk. When Gord passed away in such a sad way, my teacher, who was a very close mentor of mine, and one i kept in contact for years after graduation, was devastated. I texted him almost weekly to see how he was doing, and if there was anything i could do for him (cut his lawn, get groceries for him, etc.). Today, the teacher is retired, but he was instrumental in ensuring the Canadian Cancer Society charity run was a part of my alma mater's culture. RIP Gord! Big H and Bob are still remembering you!
Would your teacher happen to be Tim Keenlyside? I went to KCVI, and Gord was in a few of my classes. If your teacher was a friend from high school, I may know him.
@@susanmacdonald4288 No, his name is Bob Vancise, and Bob went to the same high school my Dad did, Campbell Collegiate in Regina. Vancise never described how the two met exactly...
Your reaction when you heard about Gord's diagnosis was priceless. The song Bobcaygeon is named after a small town just outside Toronto. It is about a guy who lives there and he's a cop in the city. He's just meet a person who he is interested in and is thinking about her while he is working. During his work, there is a riot and he is thinking about quitting. The riot he's referring to was in 1933 and was known as The Christie Pits Riot where a Jewish baseball team was attacked by a group of Nazi's from another community. Yes, this happened in Canada! The song also references The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto where the Hip played, and bands they met, but it is a look at a time in Canada's history, which is something that they did so well. "Wheat Kings" is another great song and is named after a minor league hockey team from Regina, but is also about a young man that was charged with rape and murder and spent 23 years in prison only to be found innocent later. They tell the stories of Canada, warts and all, and did it in a way that made you want to dance. I'm 57 now and have been lucky enough to have seen them many times over the years, and I still miss Gord.
You should know in those days Christie Pits was the toughest neighborhood in Toronto. If you were looking for a rumble that was the place to find it. The so called Nazis who started a brawl at a baseball game were phonies trying to stir up trouble. Look up pictures of the so called riot and you will see what I mean.
I've driven through Bobcaygeon years ago. It's very small. Nowhere near Toronto tho. My one cousin once owned a cottage just past Bobcaygeon a couple decades ago.
WOW...everyone is still so raw and emotional about Gord, even after this time, including me. Just reading some of the comments on here has brought the water works on. What a privilege is has been to have their music in my life.
Blow at High Dough live from "That night in Toronto" and New Orleans is Sinking live at Woodstock '99 are a good place to start for their rockers and to catch a glimpse of Gord's live persona and talent that made Pearl Jam and Stereophonics (from Wales) share a tribute on the announcement of his passing. Thanks for delvinig into a bit of their legacy.
The Hip performances don't get copyright strikes on YT, nor do most live performances, or videos from independent bands eg. Sloan, The Stills, The Dears, Blue Rodeo, Platinum Blonde, The Spoons, Skinny Puppy
Gord did alot for Canada. Was even given a name from one of the first nation chiefs. That name is Wicapi Omani, which translates to 'Man who walks among the stars'. It wasnt just his music that we loved him for. It was his fight for bringing recognition to our aboriginal communities. He was a national hero for the work he did.
I love the Hip and was lucky to see them live. Not only are they awesome musicians, Gord is an amazing entertainer on stage. He just has that magnetic mesmerizing personality you can’t not like this guy ❤
You can't call yourself a Canadian if the Hip isn't somewhere on your playlist. I first discovered them when I lived in Toronto in the early '90s and they've been my favorite band ever since - over the coming years their popularity grew and grew among everyone I knew. I've seen them while living in multiple cities across Canada - the final concert was incredible and emotional (I was so happy that it was aired publicly for all of Canada).
I remember when me and 20 friends all sat around a TV crying together while watching their final show. This video made me cry too. Our love for them transcends time.
I don't normally comment on your videos i just watch, but i had to say something about the Hip and Gord. This band was special to Canada a true gift to us. On the last night of the tour all of Canada was watching from home or at a bar, parks with big screens or at the concert itself, it was amazing and the tears were flowing. American singers stopped they're own concerts to say a word about Gord or even sing a hip song that night. RIP Gord you are missed. You really need to hear "New Orleans is sinking" and "Blow at High Dough". Hell just listen to all of the "Road Apples", "Up to Here" "Fully Completely" albums lol.
I was in the crowd at Market Square that night. I'm from Kingston but was never lucky enough to see them live. I've seen the other Kingston band "Road Apples" a few times. They're really the ones who got me into The Hip, and I bought all The Hip's CD's.
The final tour was like a love letter and a goodbye and thank you to his fans. Everyone knew his diagnosis. The last concert of this tour was televised
The Hip's last concert, in their hometown of Kingston, ON, was (as you mentioned) broadcast by the CBC. It was one of the most watched events in our history. The official count says 11.7 million viewers, but that is a lowball. There were probably 10-20 people gathered at each one of those TVs. We set up screens in our backyards, and took in the concert. We sang along, we laughed, we cried, we hugged, we danced (and those of us Of A Certain Age held our lighters aloft here and there)... it was so emotionally charged. Saying goodbye to this man we all loved so much. And being collectively so grateful to him for this amazing gift he and his band were giving us, of doing this tour and this giving us an opportunity to show our appreciation and to celebrate and indeed grieve together. We love you, Gord.
I’m crying as he’s learning. I’m not even 2 minutes into it. My cousins and I went to a bar to watch the livestream of the last concert. There was a 30 year gap between the group of us, but we bonded over our love of The Hip. So many emotions.
Tyler Bucket!!! Canadian from a small town in Northern Ontario. Watching you discover an amazing Poet has me full of chills. It has shaped many of us. And we still get emotional when he's talked about. You found a treasure. I hope you found his last concerts. His band pulled him through his sickness. Especially when they appeared with Blue Rodeo. I'm in tears writing this. They are better than the beatles. I fell in love at 13 yrs old. I'm 46. I miss him. Now my father, my hero has the same cancer. Saw 4 of their concerts. Not one could compare to the other. Canada watched him perform to the end and they made a statement and made a change and an awareness to the genocide to our indigenous people. A fact that was left out of our history books as long as I've been been alive. If u haven't seen it. Gord Downey and Jim cuddy. Canadian artists holding each other up. ❤
Locked in the trunk of a car, Little Bones, Blow at High Dough, New Orleans is Sinking are all songs that are not so slow that you might enjoy. With Hip music you have to hear the words, there's so much going on in the story. Reading the words as you listen will definitely help.
Man. As a Canadian, who was there in Kingston watching them play their last show ever, I'm sitting here on my couch in Thunder Bay snot crying watching your video. Thanks for the your respectful reactions.
Tyler, thank you for doing this video.... and congratulations on discovering how special this band was. I remember being a teen sitting outside of licensed establishments, sitting in the alley listening to them live because I wasn't old enough to go indoors. This band carried me through those teen years and through my college days. Their music would be present at every house party, every college event... we would start moshing in these tiny kitchens and apartments, just being college kids. I was one of the lucky ones to be able to attend one of the Farewell Tour Venues.... it was truly bitter sweet. Gord's brain cancer was advanced so far that he needed a teleprompter to remind him of the lyrics to the songs he wrote and sang for decades.... but he did this with grace and humility for his beloved fans. He was truly a wonderful poet and a one of a kind human. I would suggest looking at their albums in their natural progression and listen to the hit singles from each, this will be great representation of their work and spirit. And since you are soooo tickled by the hockey culture, you HAVE TO listen to 50 Mission Cap. XOXO RIP Gord, Canada LOVES YOU.
Fun trivia: The most played song on American radio used to be "American Woman" by the Guess Who. It was beat by "How You Remind Me" by Nickleback. Both Canadian bands.
Here’s a story about the final show (which was televised live) in that tour for you. My cottage is about 45 minutes from Bobcageyon (a small town the Hip famously references in a song). That weekend, we dragged a projector, massive screen & 7.1 surround system up there and set it up. We cranked the volume all the way up. My entire family came to watch in lawn chairs… but the most beautiful thing was… when people started hearing the music across the lake, they got into their boats and came over. Some came ashore, some stayed in their vessels. Regardless, the whole lake was there. Hundreds of us. Watching that last show. A truly unifying moment.
This one hit me hard. As a Canadian growing up I was never a big fan of The Hip. I liked a few songs, but found them to be very over played. I remember that changing during their final tour though. There was an emotion and sadness throughout the country that was felt by everyone - we all knew this was a tour that was going to be something special. I sat down with friends to watch that final concert, and the songs I’d heard as overplayed my whole life changed. It was a truly amazing performance, and it was clear Downie was at his absolute best. That performance is easily the most iconic concert ever put on in Canada, and a must watch for any music lover! I’d love to see you do a reaction to it. My sister recently passed on cancer, so hearing that word brings forth some really raw emotion. Their music is still so prevalent today - lots of radio stations still play them regularly, and those that don’t will not hesitate to play them by request, often putting them to the front of their queue.
An american, I found out about them earlier this year because my boss was working for their last tour... I started listening to them later on then hoped I could work with them someday. I soon after looked up their wikipedia and started balling when I found out what had happened.
It was sad, they were loved generationally by Canadians. I'm 50 so been listening to them since I was a teen. Gord Downie sharing his diagnosis allowed his fans to celebrate his life while he was still living and he was given many of the accolades he deserved for both his music and his great contributions to raising awareness of First Nation issues. He truly was and is one of the most adored Canadians. So I'm sad he is gone but have a lot of fond memories of listening to their music with friends and even how everyone got to say goodbye while celebrating his life. It was kind of like we all got to give him an emotional big hug before he went. He definitely had a life that mattered and was well spent. New Orleans is Sinking is one of my favorite Hip songs and I still listen to the Hip when outdoors enjoying the summer on my deck. Sidebar: Gordon (Gord or Gordie for short) is a popular Canadian name for some reason. A lot of famous Gordons in Canada.
My dad’s name is Gordon. He was a teacher, there was another teacher named Gordon. Very popular name in Canada. I often refer to it as a “Canadian” name.
I am of the younger generation that grew up around the Hip. As a Canadian, I can tell you that the death even resonated with my entire grade- I was in grade 12. Before our first class, the school would play a song on the PA before announcements/anthem. That day, they played Wheat Kings. We all knew immediately what happened when that song played. That last show, I was working at Tim Hortons on the afternoon shift. We were incredibly slow because everyone was at home or at the bars watching the concert. I was able to leave early, and walk home from my shift at the beginning of the show. I distinctly remember as I walked through my neighbourhood, past the bars and houses, hearing this concert being played loudly and proudly. The bars were packed and rowdy and emotional all at the same time. Came home, with the Tims in hand and about 20 of our neighbours and friends watching the concert in our backyard. We had 3 different AV receivers hooked up blaring it, well past noise curfew bylaws and not a word was said. During Ahead By a Century, their final song performed, there were 30 people- kids and adults, all sulking because we knew that this was the last riff, the last note, but not the end of the legacy. We treasure Gord every day and miss him dearly. In Gord we trust ❤
Another one of our greatest Canadians taken down in their prime (thinking also of Terry Fox). I am so grateful to Gord Downie and the rest of the members of the Hip for telling the stories of Canada, of this big and complex place. To reflect us back to ourselves with beautiful and majestic words and music. ❤
I had the honour of seeing them in concert twice, and watched their last concert on tv, along with the nation. Keep in mind not only did he do that final tour, that was AGAINST the advice of his doctors. He also had had surgery to help slow his memory loss, and had to RELEARN all of the songs. For the first time in his career, he had to use teleprompters to show him the lyrics. Something he had prided himself on never needing. In amongst all of this, he wrote the book The Secret Path, and the songs and recorded the album to go along with it. It tells the story of Chanie Wenjack. It's a true story about a boy who died while running away from his residential school. Gord was called a poet because his songs are like poetry, but he also published books, including poetry. He always said their success as a band, and staying together for so long was due to a few things. Friendship was always the core of their band and relationships. He also insisted that all the members of the band be listed as song writers on every song, even if he was the one who wrote the lyrics alone. He insisted they all get an equal part of it. He never wanted to be *above* the others.
Once asked what it was like being so huge in Canada and virtually unknown in the US, they said it was like being the tallest dwarf. Obviously, this was in the 90's when you could say that.
i worked in a chill bar and the last concert was on their big screen. technically i was the only one working in the kitchen but at that point no one was ordering so i could watch the concert. it was so amazing.
Please listen to all their music. As a Canadian I can tell you that The Hip “ARE” Canada!!!! If you are able to watch the last concert know that all of Canada were singing along and crying at the same time
GORD AND THE HIP KNOWS HOW US, CANADIEN LOVED AND SUPPORTED THAT BAND WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS. FOR HIM TO GO ON TOUR WITH TERMINAL BRAIN CANCER SHOWS DEDICATION TO THEIR FANS. R.I.P. YOU,LL BE MISS. TEARS IN MY EYES WATCHING THIS.
Glad you found "The Hip", Canada wouldn't have been the same without this band, and I don't say that lightly. Two comments stand out to me when looking back at Gord Downie, the first was "Gord Downie is a God,...not THE God, just a God" and sadly on October 17, 2017 someone posted a page that said the following. "We're Sorry, Canada is closed today. We've had a death in the family". Even writing this little comment I get teared up, Gord touched so many lives, and Canadians of my age (55) came of age with and followed The Hip until their final concert. Mr. Bucket, you could do a lot worse than to listen to this band in order to dig a bit deeper into what it means to be a Canadian.
Yep, they started a a bar band, as kids. The BEST bar band. Good kids, great adults. My Dad did all the art for Metamorphosis. They stayed true to their roots, and it was here in Kingston.
Tyler, I really liked you in the first 10 seconds of your commentary. You have an exceptional open mind and I love your willingness to learn about music that isn’t American, our Canadian royalty, The Tragically Hip. You have a wonderfully unique character that is contagious. I loved your take on The Hip. Please keep doing what you do as we need more people like you. I’m already a huge fan
They were the ultimate Canadian role models..they're in everyone's heart ❤❤ The country watched his last concert and everyone cried..was sooo emotional 😢
My favourite lyric is from Poets. "Lava flowing in Superfarmer's direction. He's been getting reprieve from the heat in the frozen food section. Yeah." I have no idea what it means, but I love it.
Langlois is roughly pronounced Lang-wah. And, two Gords in any Canadian team or band is just playing the odds. We have some highly respected and loved Canadians with the name gord: Gordie Howe, Gordon Sinclair (the original) and Gordon Lightfoot just to name a few! I saw the Hip at a weekend festival in the eighties. We camped. There were bikers. Had a tornado. Just another awesome Canadian long weekend!!
~1/3 of the population of Canada watched his final show live. It was indeed extremely powerful. There was an intense comradery between all of us that night.
The hip were amazing, Canada stood still during their last concert. Another great Canadian artist is Gordon Lightfoot, you should check out his music as well!
When I realized you hadnt continued reading and didnt know he had brain cancer till they said it in the video, i KNEW this was gonna be a good reaction. So genuine i love when people just stumble into the story
I used to attend as many Hip concerts as I could when I was in my 20s. They were truly the Canadian band of my generation (Gen x). They performed at my university frosh week. Gord was loved so much by us all😕. That last concert tour, we all knew he was dying and I think he wanted to say goodbye to us all☹️. New Orleans is sinking and wheat Kings are songs to definitely check out❤️. The Hip will live forever in my heart!❤️🫶✌️🤟
Just watched this video and even now watching you react to this is so emotional. It brings tears to my eyes. Another fact about the Hip’s final concert is that over 11 million (Canada’s population at the time was 33 million) tuned in to watch the concert. Was privileged to see them live in concert 2x. Never have I been so affected by a musicians death and I don’t see that ever happening again.
Canadian here 🙋🏼♀️ The Hip were/are Canadian royalty. One of my favourite bands of all time and can listen to them over and over (have for the past 26 years) and still love every song.
You’re going to make a bunch of Canadians cry with this video. We all miss Gord and the hip. The tour was amazing, he hit all the major cities in canada and the final show was broadcast everywhere and canada stopped to watch from wherever we were. Please listen to wheat kings, fiddlers green and scared my personal favs
Impossible not to get weepy when watching this
We often joke about how the Country will pause when there is a big Hockey game happening and a Canadian team is involved. (Olympic Gold medal, World Juniors, Stanley Cup, etc....)
That final concert by the Hip was one time when the entire country really did pause. It even overshadowed the Olympics in Brazil at the time; the Canadian athletes (and friends) gathered to watch the concert live while they were in Rio.
Yup. Just weaping here... The Hip was my soundtrack from 1994 through 2000 - they carried me through my early 20s
Those are all very similar songs...you gotta mix it up a bit.
Yup, heart in my throat. Not gonna cry...😭😭
Thanks for taking the time, Tyler 🤘
On the NY Times following Gord's death, Simon Vozick-Levinson from Rolling Stone magazine wrote: “The place of honor that Mr. Downie occupies in Canada’s national imagination has no parallel in the United States,” he wrote, and continued: “Imagine Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and Michael Stipe combined into one sensitive, oblique poet-philosopher, and you’re getting close.” He could simply have written that Canadians truelly and deeply loved him, and still do!
And on the night of the final tour, Eddie Veder paused during a Pearl Jam concert to honour Gord and the Hip
And Grace too.
I read that article when it was published and it broke my friggin heart….
Crushed me to hear that Gord was inevitably going to pass too early. It was like losing a best friend or a close relative. He was something special for sure and touched many peoples lives.
There is absolutely no greater poet in my opinion. The way he used words was truly beautiful and unique but still somehow so relatable.
The night of the Hip's last concert, CBC was also broadcasting the summer Olympics that year. The concert pre-empted the Olympics. That was what the Hip meant to us that the Olympics got pre-empted.
Almost all of canada were watching their last concert. They decided to broadcast it live on CBC because they wanted all of canada to see it, not just the ones who could afford tickets. People had screens set up in their back gardens and streamed it and neighbors gathered, drinks were had, and SO many people in tears. Gord was God that night. We all could see and hear he was failing in health, but we were all so proud of him that he accomplished what he wanted in his final days. He was a huge advocate of us indigenous peoples. He would be proud that canada & the government finally recognised the atrocities that the indigenous dealt and deal with, but he would keep pushing for more. If you look up "good canadian" in the dictionary, you would see "The Hip", and perhaps Ryan Reynolds. LOL. Both amazing philanthropist and spread awareness of canadian causes.
🧡 🧡🧡
You nailed it. Well done
I cried alone with too much beer
Yes, we can't talk about Gord's legacy without The Secret Path, the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Foundation and his passion for educating Canada on its darkest history. I'm sure it is one of the things he was most proud of.
It should also be noted that the CBC showed the concert with zero ads and no talking heads.
It was a great show. I had seen them live in Vancouver several years previous, on a spur of the moment, we bought scalper tickets outside the venue .. so glad I went for it.
This American knows the hip! Being from Buffalo n.y. and just a little river between us I was able to see the hip like be many times! And that makes me a lucky American!
Howdy neighbour!
It has been said that Rush is the musical gift that Canada gave to the world and The Tragically Hip is the musical gift Canada kept for herself.
I was in Kingston several years ago and my cab driver and I were chatting as he drove me down to the waterfront. He said "oh look, there's Gord Downey". Gord was walking down the street with 3 or 4 other people. He was at home, just being down to earth like most Canadians are.
You could do a follow up reaction of Peter Mansbridge of CBC interviewing Gord Downey after Gord was diagnosed with Brain Cancer. I have seen UA-cam videos of this interview. It's worth watching.
Bobcageon is pronounced Bob-cage-on.
Darcy that was a lovely text you wrote.😘
@@donnaogorman4935 Thank you. But its just the truth.
I know that Darcy...you were able to write it so perfectly 🙏
It was in Bobcageon you could see the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time …
This encapsulates it all! Well said!
1 in 3 households in Canada tuned into that final concert. The CBC paid $700 million for the rights to the 2016 Olympics and then interrupted their own coverage of the Olympics to broadcast the final concert. Millions of us watched from bars, hockey arenas, backyards, cottages and neighborhood block parties blasted that final concert. No noise complaints just one final summer with the Hip.
And yes you got 2 mellow songs. Check out New Orleans is Sinking.... Actually check out their whole library and you'll see why we still love Gord and The Hip.
I saw them live more times than I can count, then hosted the party of the year for the last show. I am certain I am not the only Canadian with that same story. The Hip are legends. Their reputation will always precede them 😊
A national treasure.
Wow! I had no idea that Canada reacted that way to the band.
"Rush was a gift Canada gave to the world, The Hip we kept for ourselves."
I remember walking through the byward market (Ottawa) on that night and everyone crowding in the pubs and at the windows. It was like the music was coming from everywhere. ❤
Couldn't watch this without tears coming to my eyes. Gord and the Tragically Hip were a quintessentially Canadian band that spoke to Canadian issues and culture through their lyrics. Rest in peace Gord!
Not just in my eyes. The tears are running down my cheeks too
Yet he(gord? ) was a horrible singer-I just turn off the radio when they are played- can't stand his voice
😢❤🙏🏻🇨🇦
I'm in tears as well.
I still tear up when I think about Gords passing
The entire country shut down for that final concert. It was broadcast coast to coast and around the world. Canadians everywhere were glued to the final show broadcast. Screens were put up in the streets, and hearts were filled with joy and heartbreak all at the same time. You need to watch the final show to even begin to understand what The Hip mean to us 🇨🇦
This comment is not an exaggeration. Not at all. 🇨🇦🩷
It even bumped the Olympics off CBC.
Big fat kudos to the CBC for airing the final concert entirely without a single commercial/ad. They probably used every single camera they had and streamed it from a ton of different angles. At work, we just stopped everything we were doing and watched. The poor guy was so far gone, he needed teleprompters to remind him of the lyrics he wrote. One of the most beautiful concerts I've ever seen. I shed a tear every single time.
I worked for one of the cameramen for the show and he was tired afterwards! There were no breaks for them, but he said it was really amazing.
We watched it streamed live at the amphitheatre in Fundy National Park. All wrapped up in blankets, smelling of Off mosquito spray, and bawling our eyes out together. It was amazing!
I watched it on a 50” with a great sound system at a friend’s place - not the biggest Hip fan but also NOT going to miss the concert of a lifetime. Worth every second.
But - I was also PVR-ing it.
I still have it on my PVR. I grab it every so often. But it wrecks me harder now that it did then when I was part of the national emotional experience, because now, I understand who we lost, and why he was a treasure to generations.
I saw the last show they did in Ottawa, I believe it was the second to last stop on the tour. It was absolutely amazing!
Still have it saved on my PVR
I’m American but my dad listened to the hip when he was younger living in Michigan. This has been my favorite band in the world since I was 13. Their music has always been one of the big things me and my dad always connected on.
Michigan was lucky... Ontario has shit for music venues, so the Hip would frequent Detroit. We saw the Hip everywhere from tiny clubs to hockey arenas - Then there was Gord and the Sadies... ua-cam.com/video/9wvL3lhmkDg/v-deo.html
I love that!
Gord downie is an icon.
Apologies for having a hip moment.
They are the best!
The hip is one of the legendary bands that we have in canada along side rush ,the guess who ,Celine Dion nickelback just to name a few...
Gord Downie and Terry Fox. They are Canadian legends, they are ours, and we'll love them forever.
It’s a shame Terry Fox was removed from our newly printed Canadian passports. They need to put him and Gord back on there.
This.
@@Dr4gonDr0pain't no way! What did they replace Terry with?
My daughter went to see his final concert in Calgary, Canada when she was as battling Metastatic Breast Cancer and we played his song, “Ahead By A Century” at her celebration of life. It definitely described her! So appropriate for her final goodbye!
So sad you lost your daughter. I can’t imagine losing mine - the pain & grief would be unbearable. Sending you deep encircling hugs - remember to take care of yourself.
Yes this was her first concert she went to and her last!
@@htmc2022 thank you!
@@margaretkloppenburg2578My deepest condolences.
Bless her soul and Gord's as well. I'm glad she rejoiced in the poetry of Gord Downie. RiP
The hip was for most canadians the soundtrack of our lives. True genius in every single word. During that last concert, Canada was closed...we were all hanging out with the hip saying our goodbyes to a great great man.
There's a line in one of their songs that never fails to hit me right in the feels...
"No dress rehearsal. This is our life."
Gord 🥲
when he sang that on the cbc final tour special, i bawled my eyes out.
My favorite lyrics ❤
When I was at one of their shows on the final tour, the line that I’d heard many times but suddenly slapped me in the face bc of stuff going on in my life was “even babies raised by wolves, they know exactly when they’ve been used.”
I was at a cottage in Muskoka when the last concert was held, people on the lake set up huge speakers and pumped it out across the lake, my friends and I sang along and listened with tears in our eyes by the fire pit. One of my best and most Canadian memories for sure ❤🇨🇦
Same here in Kawartha Lakes!!
I’m from Buffalo. Buffalo has always been known as The Hip’s American hometown. I’m 20 years old and was born and raised on them. We brought our tv on our porch for the last concert and had a watch party with our whole family and whole neighborhood. I’d give anything to have seen them live
I saw them 5 times...I love that a young American sees their greatness... 😊
@@AaronEvans-xm2wb was raised blasting the hip in the car on the way to Sabres games and my brothers hockey games as a kid lol
@Lils0703 love that!!! Ri loverd even more watching the vanucks brat there sabers tonight haha
Thank you for your kindness :)
Saw them live twice. Gord loved to perform.
The news of Gordon Downie's cancer diagnosis and later death was a dagger in the heart for many Canadians. And apparently still raw (for me at least) as I started crying when you learned of his diagnosis and death. I am certain that almost every Canadian was watching that last concert when the CBC broadcasted it live. They were a huge impact on the Canadian music scene and definitely sang to us "our stories". They will always be remembered fondly. xoxo
"No dress rehearsal, this is our life."
Gord went on tour to say goodbye to Canada because HE knew WE needed to say goodbye to him! Still can’t listen to The Hip without crying! The world just isn’t the same without you Gordie!! RIP friend 💔
They were considered “Canada’s Band”. There isn’t enough time to express how important and special they are/were. Miss them 😢😢😢
Truly a part of my life and will always be!
Im 50 - I was lucky enough to see them in Calgary about 20 times. The most memorable shows were "Silver Dollar" casino for the Road Apples tour (a small venue) and so lucky to be front row for Day for Night at the Saddledome 2 years later. Shed many tears for The last show - shitty seats, but there are no bad seats for The Hip. Miss ya Gord!
Canada has a population of ~40 Million. The final concert of that tour, in a Kingston Ontario, was watched by ~12 Million Canadians or about 40% of the adults.
Never to be forgotten. RIP Gord.
If the leader of the greatest Canadian band ever, Rush, is a fan of your band, you know you've got something special.
Every Hip song was unique. They could never be pigeonholed into a “style” or a “sound”. They sang the stories and we love them. ❤️🇨🇦
Pigeonholed or Pigeoncamerad
I was at the concert in Kingston and it was very bittersweet, knowing Gord Downie was dying of brain cancer, as an adult male in his 40's, I'm not ashamed to admit, I actually cried when they sang New Orleans is sinking. My favorite song of theirs.
It was unreal watching almost everyone in Kingston walking downtown to attend the concert.
I had the pleasure of seeing them open for the Stones in Moncton and that is also my favorite song. I never got to hear it live as they opted to not play it because at the time New Orleans was LITERALLY sinking! (flooding from Hurricane Katrina)
We were all crying. The entire generation felt it hard across the nation 😔
@@m1sterpunch I was at that concert too! I think I seen them about 15 times. Mostly Halifax. God, I miss the 90s
Tyler: The two songs you listened to were definitely examples of their layer back stuff. “New Orleans is Sinking” is much more up beat and likely relatable from your perspective as an American.
americans embracing canadian culture makes me believe in humanity. 🇨🇦
So happy to see you reacting to The Hip. They were a Canadian institution and Gord Downie was an amazing human!!
You literally made me cry. As a Canadian, thank you for taking the time learn about The Hip. I grew up with this band and they were such a huge part of my life. I appreciate your comments and I hope you are now a fan. ❤
The country came to a stand still during their final show. I still cry when I watch the final encore. When Gord died and it was announced on the radio I saw people pull to the side of the road and people were hugging. So emotional.
your reply choked me up!!!
I wish you had read the parts of Wikipedia about their final show: A National Celebration. And, truly, that's what it was.
The CBC broadcast it live and *commercial free* across all their platforms. TV, radio, even UA-cam. They chose to air it instead of the Olympics.
At least 12 million people watched it. *That's a full third of the country*. And that's not counting on the fact that many of the individuals watching it were actually viewing parties. It was played in bars, movie theaters, town square, everywhere. The actual number of people who watched it was probably closer to half the country.
Even the Prime Minister was there.
During that tour, the cancer was affecting him. He needed teleprompters to remember the lyrics of songs he had written and sung for 40 years. But instead of staying home and spending what little time he had left with friends and family, he did this.
He put it all out there. Despite all he has already done, he have the country one last gift; himself.
IMO, he essentially died a martyr for Canadian culture.
I was one of thousands in Market Square in Kingston that night. And my daughter and sister. It rained that night but nobody cared. RIP Gord. 💔
The final concert was the 2nd most watched program in Canadian history. Second only to the gold medal game in 2010. We have our priorities straight!
Gord was amazing...The Hip are still amazing...our love for them is eternal. They are us. They made us more us.
Hey Tyler. I'm from Kingston and yes The Hip are legends across Canada. They performed on Saturday Night Live and even performed for the Queen.
Pretty sure that was in 1992, Dan Aykroyd hosted the episode. One of the first times I was up that late watching tv! edit: Others are saying 1995....a while ago anyway.
@@Lord_Godd 92 sounds about right...the hip were bigger then life north of the border and were starting to gain a following down south
@@Lord_Godd Ackroyd is also from Kingston, so that would make sense.
We were some of few lucky Americans who discovered this band.. Shortly after we were married and just a few months after we got a place of our own, young and broke, we would wander the mall in the evenings just for entertainment. Back when they had music stores in malls and listening stations. I forget who listened first and called over the other to partake. We didn’t really have the money. We bought the cd anyway. That’s how The Tragically Hip became the soundtrack of our marriage of nearly thirty years.
One night in Kingston, ON, a man walks out on stage. He has brain cancer. He knows his days are numbered. For over a quarter of a century, this band, this music, this man, has been the humble and empathic soul of Canada. The Prime Minister, a lifelong fan, is in the audience. Tens of thousands more pack the hockey arena, thousands more gather outside just to be there at this moment. The band is flawless. He sings with a power and grace that only comes from experience, dedication, and talent. This is how gods are made. The last line he sings - “And disappointing you is getting me down.”
We love you. We miss you Gord.
I was at their final show in Vancouver in 2016. It was INTENSELY emotional. I remember that, while he and everyone else in the stadium knew he was dying soon, before he left the stage after the final encore, he gently said, "I'll see you again, I'll see you again, I'll see you again." It was heartbreaking and so touching.
I was at that show as well. I was super broke at the time and really couldn't afford tickets but I'm so glad I spent that money. Being surrounded by people showing their love for a man most of us had never met, but who had been so influential in all our lives is something I'll never forget.
@@shawncharles9980Same, scraped and saved to get a seat in the literal back row, I cried so much. the entire audience stepping in to sing when Gord asked is something that's gonna stick with me
You need to understand: not only did CBC live broadcast that final concert in every possible way they could, they pre-empted live coverage of the Rio Olympics to do so - and made sure the Canadian Olympic team in Rio had a way to watch it live, as well. Gord was our guy. Sadly missed
If you're still interested in learning more about The Hip they just released a 4 part documentary on Prime. Amazing!
17 million people would watch the CBC broadcast of their final performance. Another Canadian artist you might be interested in is Gordon Lightfoot. Gordon was an Iconic Canadian musician who we recently lost in May. His ballad "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" is a song that crosses borders. He wrote it because he thought the loss of the American ship wasn't getting enough news coverage. He would donate the proceeds from the song to the families who lost their loved ones.
Ah, heck, if we're going in that musical direction, try some Stan Rogers on for size too? "The Mary Ellen Carter" lives on my office wall in soundprint form.
My brother lived in Sudbury and was a bartender in about the only hotel in town. The hip played a local show and after their show, they stayed at his hotel. All the band members were hockey fans. My brother was able to arrange ice team with the local rink owner and they played hockey after their show. It is a memory he will remember always...
My greatest memory of The Hip's last tour was how emotional it was all across Canada. Everyone was trying to get Hip concert tickets. I remember on how humble they were. They made a pack at the beginning of their career to split everything up equally between each band member including recognition. I think that's what kept them together so long. They kept ticket prices affordable and they used their national platform to help everyone. One of Gord's last project was to shine a light on the residential school injustices. ua-cam.com/video/za2VzjkwtFc/v-deo.html
In Winnipeg they screened the concert for free in Assiniboine park
They make a "pact" not pack. A pact is like a promise.
My husband and I were on vacation in Ottawa, and we watched the CBC livestream of the concert in our hotel. It was bittersweet, but beautiful.
When he looked straight into the camera in the final concert and exhorted Trudeau to improve conditions on reservations...
Especially for those of us "of a certain age," the Hip's last concert was an incredible outpouring of solidarity, emotion, and love of the music and legacy he left us. The final song, "Ahead By a Century," and all the shots of EVERYONE singing along together is still so powerful. Gord put in an incredible performance, for someone in such a fragile state of health.
The Hip never caught on around the world because their songs were so deeply and specifically Canadian. The lyrics, the sounds, the feeling. Usually specific places too. Boycaygeon transports me right to a central Ontario summer, whether I want to or not. I had to teach someone the meaning of the word nostalgia. I played that song.
Also, I think that was because the Hip never fell into the trap of 'I have to move to the USA to be really big'. They were Canadians and proud to be so. They made a good living in Canada and loved the country and its people. I am reminded (this will age me) of the comedians Wayne and Shuster who refused to move to the USA although they held the record for the most appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show by any other act (67 times). But they still wanted to be Canadians and live in their country.
My first trip to Ontario I said, "I have to go to Bobcaygeon!" I was there during the day, though, so didn't see any constellations.
The reason The Hip never caught on internationally is because they chose to be a Canadian band for Canada. They did not push themselves outside the country like most do.
BTW... The song "Bobcaygeon" has NOTHING to do with the Ontario town. The name was chosen because it rhymed. Nothing else.
@@mikekraan823I've been to Bobcaygeon. It's small. Blink and you miss it small.
@@mikekraan823I've been to Bobcaygeon. It's small. Like blink and you miss it small.
During the final concert, every single person in the pub was crying. Almost 100 people. It was a beautiful scene. RIP Gord ❤
If you are willing to have a broken heart, watch the final song of the final show. The raw emotion that pours out of Gord will change you forever. That final scream. Haunting.
If there's one thing Canadians can agree on, it's their love of The Hip, and Gord Downie. I was a teen when they burst onto the scene and had the privilege to spend my young adult years watching and listening to this band flourish and put out hit after hit. Thanks for taking the time to learn a bit about them.
Thanks Tyler!
Ive been watching your videos for a while now. But this was by far the most touching.
Im a 48 year old former oil rigger and im proud to admit i cried watching this just like i cried watching the final concert. Maybe you could do a part two to this video. The world needs to know The Hip.
And there is so much more to the story.
The final concert was pretty emotional, you can probably find it on UA-cam. There is a documentary called Ego's and icons about the Tragically Hip.
That last concert was broadcast on big screens in outdoor parks across Canada. I watched with hundreds of people in a park in Huntsville, Ontario. It was emotional and inspiring. UA-cam does have the full concert. The ending ... wow!
And, btw, you know you're Canadian if you know someone named Gord - i know 3
Tyler I grew up down the street from Gord, they are a true Canadian Gift!! I'm from kingston Ontario & was in his Grade 10 English Class. A great song for you to hear is "New Orleans is Sinking ". Thanks for your video!!! ❤
As someone who was not a big fan but could appreciate the talent I loved watching that final concert. It was so amazing. Another side to Gord was his support of indigenous people. Chanie Wenjack is a story that Gord brought to the attention of people.
Yes, the Secret Path project...
I remember the last concert in Kingston (live in Kingston) walking around downtown at 6 am on a sunny summer day and crying. I loved them all and my dad actually did the artwork for the album "Music at Work"
This band has a soft spot for me. My homeroom teacher in high school actually was a very close friend of Gord Downie, and displayed concert memorabilia all around his desk. When Gord passed away in such a sad way, my teacher, who was a very close mentor of mine, and one i kept in contact for years after graduation, was devastated. I texted him almost weekly to see how he was doing, and if there was anything i could do for him (cut his lawn, get groceries for him, etc.). Today, the teacher is retired, but he was instrumental in ensuring the Canadian Cancer Society charity run was a part of my alma mater's culture. RIP Gord! Big H and Bob are still remembering you!
Would your teacher happen to be Tim Keenlyside? I went to KCVI, and Gord was in a few of my classes. If your teacher was a friend from high school, I may know him.
@@susanmacdonald4288 No, his name is Bob Vancise, and Bob went to the same high school my Dad did, Campbell Collegiate in Regina. Vancise never described how the two met exactly...
Bro.... I'm bawling. He meant so much to us.
Your reaction when you heard about Gord's diagnosis was priceless. The song Bobcaygeon is named after a small town just outside Toronto. It is about a guy who lives there and he's a cop in the city. He's just meet a person who he is interested in and is thinking about her while he is working. During his work, there is a riot and he is thinking about quitting. The riot he's referring to was in 1933 and was known as The Christie Pits Riot where a Jewish baseball team was attacked by a group of Nazi's from another community. Yes, this happened in Canada! The song also references The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto where the Hip played, and bands they met, but it is a look at a time in Canada's history, which is something that they did so well. "Wheat Kings" is another great song and is named after a minor league hockey team from Regina, but is also about a young man that was charged with rape and murder and spent 23 years in prison only to be found innocent later. They tell the stories of Canada, warts and all, and did it in a way that made you want to dance. I'm 57 now and have been lucky enough to have seen them many times over the years, and I still miss Gord.
You should know in those days Christie Pits was the toughest neighborhood in Toronto. If you were looking for a rumble that was the place to find it. The so called Nazis who started a brawl at a baseball game were phonies trying to stir up trouble. Look up pictures of the so called riot and you will see what I mean.
Wheat kings are a hockey team in Brandon Manitoba
@@laundrygoddess4 right, it's the Regina Pats. Sorry. Still a great song.
Bobcaygeon is 2 hours away from Toronto. It is not just outside of Toronto.
I've driven through Bobcaygeon years ago. It's very small. Nowhere near Toronto tho. My one cousin once owned a cottage just past Bobcaygeon a couple decades ago.
WOW...everyone is still so raw and emotional about Gord, even after this time, including me. Just reading some of the comments on here has brought the water works on. What a privilege is has been to have their music in my life.
Blow at High Dough live from "That night in Toronto" and New Orleans is Sinking live at Woodstock '99 are a good place to start for their rockers and to catch a glimpse of Gord's live persona and talent that made Pearl Jam and Stereophonics (from Wales) share a tribute on the announcement of his passing. Thanks for delvinig into a bit of their legacy.
The Hip performances don't get copyright strikes on YT, nor do most live performances, or videos from independent bands eg. Sloan, The Stills, The Dears, Blue Rodeo, Platinum Blonde, The Spoons, Skinny Puppy
🔥🔥🔥🔥
Yes my favourites too. And how after Katrina hit radio wasn’t allowed to play New Orleans is Sinking for an extended period.
Gord did alot for Canada. Was even given a name from one of the first nation chiefs. That name is Wicapi Omani, which translates to 'Man who walks among the stars'. It wasnt just his music that we loved him for. It was his fight for bringing recognition to our aboriginal communities. He was a national hero for the work he did.
I love the Hip and was lucky to see them live. Not only are they awesome musicians, Gord is an amazing entertainer on stage. He just has that magnetic mesmerizing personality you can’t not like this guy ❤
I’m a Canadian, that last show was so epic, me and all my buddies got together to watch, will never forget it. Great video man!!
You can't call yourself a Canadian if the Hip isn't somewhere on your playlist.
I first discovered them when I lived in Toronto in the early '90s and they've been my favorite band ever since - over the coming years their popularity grew and grew among everyone I knew. I've seen them while living in multiple cities across Canada - the final concert was incredible and emotional (I was so happy that it was aired publicly for all of Canada).
I remember when me and 20 friends all sat around a TV crying together while watching their final show.
This video made me cry too.
Our love for them transcends time.
I don't normally comment on your videos i just watch, but i had to say something about the Hip and Gord. This band was special to Canada a true gift to us. On the last night of the tour all of Canada was watching from home or at a bar, parks with big screens or at the concert itself, it was amazing and the tears were flowing. American singers stopped they're own concerts to say a word about Gord or even sing a hip song that night. RIP Gord you are missed. You really need to hear "New Orleans is sinking" and "Blow at High Dough". Hell just listen to all of the "Road Apples", "Up to Here" "Fully Completely" albums lol.
I was in the crowd at Market Square that night. I'm from Kingston but was never lucky enough to see them live. I've seen the other Kingston band "Road Apples" a few times. They're really the ones who got me into The Hip, and I bought all The Hip's CD's.
As an American they are just one of the best bands ever
The final tour was like a love letter and a goodbye and thank you to his fans. Everyone knew his diagnosis. The last concert of this tour was televised
The Hip's last concert, in their hometown of Kingston, ON, was (as you mentioned) broadcast by the CBC. It was one of the most watched events in our history. The official count says 11.7 million viewers, but that is a lowball. There were probably 10-20 people gathered at each one of those TVs. We set up screens in our backyards, and took in the concert. We sang along, we laughed, we cried, we hugged, we danced (and those of us Of A Certain Age held our lighters aloft here and there)... it was so emotionally charged. Saying goodbye to this man we all loved so much. And being collectively so grateful to him for this amazing gift he and his band were giving us, of doing this tour and this giving us an opportunity to show our appreciation and to celebrate and indeed grieve together. We love you, Gord.
I'm from Kingston so my daughter, my sister and I were in amongst the crowd in Market Square that night. A night to remember. ❤️
I’m crying as he’s learning. I’m not even 2 minutes into it. My cousins and I went to a bar to watch the livestream of the last concert. There was a 30 year gap between the group of us, but we bonded over our love of The Hip. So many emotions.
Tyler Bucket!!! Canadian from a small town in Northern Ontario. Watching you discover an amazing Poet has me full of chills. It has shaped many of us. And we still get emotional when he's talked about. You found a treasure. I hope you found his last concerts. His band pulled him through his sickness. Especially when they appeared with Blue Rodeo. I'm in tears writing this. They are better than the beatles. I fell in love at 13 yrs old. I'm 46. I miss him. Now my father, my hero has the same cancer. Saw 4 of their concerts. Not one could compare to the other. Canada watched him perform to the end and they made a statement and made a change and an awareness to the genocide to our indigenous people. A fact that was left out of our history books as long as I've been been alive. If u haven't seen it. Gord Downey and Jim cuddy. Canadian artists holding each other up. ❤
Locked in the trunk of a car, Little Bones, Blow at High Dough, New Orleans is Sinking are all songs that are not so slow that you might enjoy. With Hip music you have to hear the words, there's so much going on in the story. Reading the words as you listen will definitely help.
Poets is a bit underrated.
Man. As a Canadian, who was there in Kingston watching them play their last show ever, I'm sitting here on my couch in Thunder Bay snot crying watching your video. Thanks for the your respectful reactions.
Tyler, thank you for doing this video.... and congratulations on discovering how special this band was. I remember being a teen sitting outside of licensed establishments, sitting in the alley listening to them live because I wasn't old enough to go indoors. This band carried me through those teen years and through my college days. Their music would be present at every house party, every college event... we would start moshing in these tiny kitchens and apartments, just being college kids. I was one of the lucky ones to be able to attend one of the Farewell Tour Venues.... it was truly bitter sweet. Gord's brain cancer was advanced so far that he needed a teleprompter to remind him of the lyrics to the songs he wrote and sang for decades.... but he did this with grace and humility for his beloved fans. He was truly a wonderful poet and a one of a kind human. I would suggest looking at their albums in their natural progression and listen to the hit singles from each, this will be great representation of their work and spirit. And since you are soooo tickled by the hockey culture, you HAVE TO listen to 50 Mission Cap. XOXO RIP Gord, Canada LOVES YOU.
This band deserved more airplay in the states. More people need to know of them and their amazing stories and achievements.
Fun trivia: The most played song on American radio used to be "American Woman" by the Guess Who. It was beat by "How You Remind Me" by Nickleback. Both Canadian bands.
Here’s a story about the final show (which was televised live) in that tour for you. My cottage is about 45 minutes from Bobcageyon (a small town the Hip famously references in a song). That weekend, we dragged a projector, massive screen & 7.1 surround system up there and set it up. We cranked the volume all the way up. My entire family came to watch in lawn chairs… but the most beautiful thing was… when people started hearing the music across the lake, they got into their boats and came over. Some came ashore, some stayed in their vessels. Regardless, the whole lake was there. Hundreds of us. Watching that last show. A truly unifying moment.
Honestly the hip, Gordon light foot and so many others are iconic. The hip was incredible and we are so grateful we got to have a goodbye tour.
Rest in peace Gord.
You are so missed.
Canada will always love you and never forget you❤🇨🇦
This one hit me hard. As a Canadian growing up I was never a big fan of The Hip. I liked a few songs, but found them to be very over played. I remember that changing during their final tour though. There was an emotion and sadness throughout the country that was felt by everyone - we all knew this was a tour that was going to be something special. I sat down with friends to watch that final concert, and the songs I’d heard as overplayed my whole life changed. It was a truly amazing performance, and it was clear Downie was at his absolute best. That performance is easily the most iconic concert ever put on in Canada, and a must watch for any music lover! I’d love to see you do a reaction to it.
My sister recently passed on cancer, so hearing that word brings forth some really raw emotion. Their music is still so prevalent today - lots of radio stations still play them regularly, and those that don’t will not hesitate to play them by request, often putting them to the front of their queue.
An american, I found out about them earlier this year because my boss was working for their last tour... I started listening to them later on then hoped I could work with them someday. I soon after looked up their wikipedia and started balling when I found out what had happened.
It was sad, they were loved generationally by Canadians. I'm 50 so been listening to them since I was a teen. Gord Downie sharing his diagnosis allowed his fans to celebrate his life while he was still living and he was given many of the accolades he deserved for both his music and his great contributions to raising awareness of First Nation issues. He truly was and is one of the most adored Canadians.
So I'm sad he is gone but have a lot of fond memories of listening to their music with friends and even how everyone got to say goodbye while celebrating his life. It was kind of like we all got to give him an emotional big hug before he went. He definitely had a life that mattered and was well spent. New Orleans is Sinking is one of my favorite Hip songs and I still listen to the Hip when outdoors enjoying the summer on my deck.
Sidebar: Gordon (Gord or Gordie for short) is a popular Canadian name for some reason. A lot of famous Gordons in Canada.
If you read the liner notes for the Barenaked Ladies debut album.. aptly named Gordon.. you get a whole list of famous and not so famous Gordon's
My dad’s name is Gordon. He was a teacher, there was another teacher named Gordon. Very popular name in Canada. I often refer to it as a “Canadian” name.
It’s due to our high level of Scottish-ness. ❤️🇨🇦
I always joke I'm going to write a book called Famous Canadians Named Gord. Maybe somebody should.
I am of the younger generation that grew up around the Hip. As a Canadian, I can tell you that the death even resonated with my entire grade- I was in grade 12. Before our first class, the school would play a song on the PA before announcements/anthem. That day, they played Wheat Kings. We all knew immediately what happened when that song played.
That last show, I was working at Tim Hortons on the afternoon shift. We were incredibly slow because everyone was at home or at the bars watching the concert. I was able to leave early, and walk home from my shift at the beginning of the show. I distinctly remember as I walked through my neighbourhood, past the bars and houses, hearing this concert being played loudly and proudly. The bars were packed and rowdy and emotional all at the same time. Came home, with the Tims in hand and about 20 of our neighbours and friends watching the concert in our backyard. We had 3 different AV receivers hooked up blaring it, well past noise curfew bylaws and not a word was said.
During Ahead By a Century, their final song performed, there were 30 people- kids and adults, all sulking because we knew that this was the last riff, the last note, but not the end of the legacy. We treasure Gord every day and miss him dearly. In Gord we trust
❤
Another one of our greatest Canadians taken down in their prime (thinking also of Terry Fox). I am so grateful to Gord Downie and the rest of the members of the Hip for telling the stories of Canada, of this big and complex place. To reflect us back to ourselves with beautiful and majestic words and music. ❤
I had the honour of seeing them in concert twice, and watched their last concert on tv, along with the nation.
Keep in mind not only did he do that final tour, that was AGAINST the advice of his doctors. He also had had surgery to help slow his memory loss, and had to RELEARN all of the songs. For the first time in his career, he had to use teleprompters to show him the lyrics. Something he had prided himself on never needing.
In amongst all of this, he wrote the book The Secret Path, and the songs and recorded the album to go along with it. It tells the story of Chanie Wenjack. It's a true story about a boy who died while running away from his residential school.
Gord was called a poet because his songs are like poetry, but he also published books, including poetry. He always said their success as a band, and staying together for so long was due to a few things. Friendship was always the core of their band and relationships. He also insisted that all the members of the band be listed as song writers on every song, even if he was the one who wrote the lyrics alone. He insisted they all get an equal part of it. He never wanted to be *above* the others.
Once asked what it was like being so huge in Canada and virtually unknown in the US, they said it was like being the tallest dwarf. Obviously, this was in the 90's when you could say that.
i worked in a chill bar and the last concert was on their big screen. technically i was the only one working in the kitchen but at that point no one was ordering so i could watch the concert. it was so amazing.
Please listen to all their music. As a Canadian I can tell you that The Hip “ARE” Canada!!!! If you are able to watch the last concert know that all of Canada were singing along and crying at the same time
GORD AND THE HIP KNOWS HOW US, CANADIEN LOVED AND SUPPORTED THAT BAND WITH ALL OF OUR HEARTS. FOR HIM TO GO ON TOUR WITH TERMINAL BRAIN CANCER SHOWS DEDICATION TO THEIR FANS. R.I.P. YOU,LL BE MISS. TEARS IN MY EYES WATCHING THIS.
Glad you found "The Hip", Canada wouldn't have been the same without this band, and I don't say that lightly. Two comments stand out to me when looking back at Gord Downie, the first was "Gord Downie is a God,...not THE God, just a God" and sadly on October 17, 2017 someone posted a page that said the following. "We're Sorry, Canada is closed today. We've had a death in the family". Even writing this little comment I get teared up, Gord touched so many lives, and Canadians of my age (55) came of age with and followed The Hip until their final concert. Mr. Bucket, you could do a lot worse than to listen to this band in order to dig a bit deeper into what it means to be a Canadian.
The Hip were known, and continue to be known as "Canada's home town band"
They are also great live. Which is rare. A lot of their songs are Canadian stories. A true poet.
Yep, they started a a bar band, as kids.
The BEST bar band.
Good kids, great adults.
My Dad did all the art for Metamorphosis.
They stayed true to their roots, and it was here in Kingston.
Tyler, I really liked you in the first 10 seconds of your commentary. You have an exceptional open mind and I love your willingness to learn about music that isn’t American, our Canadian royalty, The Tragically Hip.
You have a wonderfully unique character that is contagious. I loved your take on The Hip. Please keep doing what you do as we need more people like you. I’m already a huge fan
They were the ultimate Canadian role models..they're in everyone's heart ❤❤ The country watched his last concert and everyone cried..was sooo emotional 😢
My favourite lyric is from Poets.
"Lava flowing in Superfarmer's direction. He's been getting reprieve from the heat in the frozen food section. Yeah."
I have no idea what it means, but I love it.
My 13 year old daughter discovered The Hip in my old CD's a couple years back and they have been her favorite band ever since. Legends.
Langlois is roughly pronounced Lang-wah. And, two Gords in any Canadian team or band is just playing the odds. We have some highly respected and loved Canadians with the name gord: Gordie Howe, Gordon Sinclair (the original) and Gordon Lightfoot just to name a few! I saw the Hip at a weekend festival in the eighties. We camped. There were bikers. Had a tornado. Just another awesome Canadian long weekend!!
~1/3 of the population of Canada watched his final show live. It was indeed extremely powerful. There was an intense comradery between all of us that night.
The hip were amazing, Canada stood still during their last concert. Another great Canadian artist is Gordon Lightfoot, you should check out his music as well!
And Bruce Cockburn
ua-cam.com/video/_AG7g0eCtcI/v-deo.html
When I realized you hadnt continued reading and didnt know he had brain cancer till they said it in the video, i KNEW this was gonna be a good reaction. So genuine i love when people just stumble into the story
I used to attend as many Hip concerts as I could when I was in my 20s. They were truly the Canadian band of my generation (Gen x). They performed at my university frosh week. Gord was loved so much by us all😕. That last concert tour, we all knew he was dying and I think he wanted to say goodbye to us all☹️. New Orleans is sinking and wheat Kings are songs to definitely check out❤️. The Hip will live forever in my heart!❤️🫶✌️🤟
Wheat Kings
@@Veggamattic I edited it after I reread it right away and it actually didn’t save😂. Gord is up there laughing at me😝
Every Canadian kid who grew up in the late 80's and 90's has so many memories that are attached to a Hip song. Amazing era-defining band.
Just watched this video and even now watching you react to this is so emotional. It brings tears to my eyes. Another fact about the Hip’s final concert is that over 11 million (Canada’s population at the time was 33 million) tuned in to watch the concert. Was privileged to see them live in concert 2x. Never have I been so affected by a musicians death and I don’t see that ever happening again.
Canadian here 🙋🏼♀️ The Hip were/are Canadian royalty. One of my favourite bands of all time and can listen to them over and over (have for the past 26 years) and still love every song.