“Gord did not rest from working for the issues he cared about, and his commitment and passion will continue to motivate Canadians for years to come. For his work raising awareness of Indigenous issues, he was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada in 2017. Before passing, he shined his light on the story of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack who died from hunger and exposure after trying to find his way home from a residential school. “In the wake of his diagnosis, Gord only fought harder for what he believed in: social justice, environmentalism, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Our identity and culture are richer because of his music, which was always raw and honest – like Gord himself. When he spoke, he gave us goosebumps and made us proud to be Canadian. He painted landscapes with his words, elevating Canadian geography, historical figures, and myths. “Gord’s command of language was profound. ![]() “The Tragically Hip’s music invited us to explore places we had never been – from Mistaken Point to Churchill – and helped us understand each other, while capturing the complexity and vastness of the place we call home. 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. “For almost five decades, Gord Downie uncovered and told the stories of Canada. The band's 2012 album, Now for Plan A, was lyrically influenced by Downie's wife and her overcoming breast cancer.ĭownie also produced three solo albums since 2001, as well as a collaboration with fellow Canadian indie darlings The Sadies.ĭownie is survived by his wife and four children.The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of Gord Downie: They have received numerous Canadian music awards, including 14 Juno awards, the equivalent of the Grammy in Canada. Nine of their albums have reached number one in Canada. Since then they have released 14 studio albums, two live albums, one EP and 54 singles. ![]() Their first self-titled EP was released in 1987 and their breakthrough debut full-length album, Up to Here, was released in 1989. ![]() While at university, he met Paul Langlois, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fray, and they formed The Tragically Hip, which started out as a cover band. Downie grew up loving rock musicīorn in Amherstview, Ontario, Downie said he "always had a keen ear for music" and while all the other kids were spending their allowance on baseball trading cards, he was buying records "from the fathers of rock 'n' roll". He said his "Secret Path" project was aimed at Canada's decades-long government policy of requiring aboriginal children to attend residential schools, where physical and sexual abuse was often rampant. "God knew this day was coming - his response was to spend his 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," the Downie family said in a statement.ĭuring his final show, Downie called out to Mr Trudeau, who attended the concert, to help fix problems in Canada's Aboriginal communities.Ī few months after that concert, Downie released a solo album with an accompanying graphic novel and animated film inspired by the tragedy of state-funded church schools that Canadian Aboriginal children were forced to attend from the 19th century until the 1970s. Downie later said that he needed six teleprompters during the concert series so he would not forget lyrics.īut through it all, Downie remained the consummate showman, rocking out on stage in distinctive leather suits.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |