Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has passed away at the age of 53. The band confirmed the news in an online statement from The Downie Family, explaining that after being diagnosed with glioblastoma, a terminal form of brain cancer, in 2015, he died “with his beloved children and family close by” on Tuesday night. According to the statement, “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,” the family writes in the statement.
Known for his original voice and lyrics, the Canadian musician formed the band with his mates in 1984 in Kingston, Ontario. Since starting the band in high school, the alternative rock band have released 14 studio albums, two live albums, one EP, and 54 singles. Their most recent album, Man Machine Poem, was written and recorded after Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2016. The band toured in support of the album, but never declared it to be their last out of respect to Downie’s health. The Man Machine Poem Tour’s final concert was held on August 20, 2016 at Rogers K-Rock Centre in Kingston and was broadcasted globally by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation across television, radio, and internet streaming services. Watch the full concert from just a week before in Toronto below:
Rest In Peace, Gord Downie!
