October 17th, 2017: Canada Said Goodbye To Gord Downie
It's Been One Year Since The Canadian Icon Left Us
October 17th, 2017: Canada Said Goodbye To Gord Downie
One year ago today, Canadian icon Gord Downie died. Thanks for the music, Gord. Thanks for everything.
Posted by Rock 95 on Wednesday, October 17, 2018
The news broke early in the day on October 18th – the night before, Canadian musical icon Gord Downie had ‘quietly passed away with his beloved children and family by his side‘.
Statement – https://t.co/vOTvlJ2jqA pic.twitter.com/Z6dHmr1xpM
— The Tragically Hip (@thehipdotcom) October 18, 2017
Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in December of 2015 and went public with the news in May of 2016. The Tragically Hip then embarked on a cross-country farewell tour in support of their record Man Machine Poem the summer of 2016, which culminated with a show in their hometown of Kingston, Ontario, which was broadcast nationally by CBC. An estimated 11.7 million Canadians tuned into the broadcast.
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Downie’s unique stage presence and lyrics that often referenced Canadian culture and history helped him become one of this country’s most recognizable artists of all-time. To many, The Hip were “Canada’s band.” They effectively refused to adapt to grow their audience in America, sticking to the stringently Canadian principles that made them perhaps most successful band in this country.
October 17th, 2017: Canada Said Goodbye To Gord Downie
One year ago today, Canadian icon Gord Downie died. Thanks for the music, Gord. Thanks for everything.
Posted by Barrie 360 on Tuesday, October 16, 2018
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Downie died on October 17th, 2017 at the age of 53, following a nearly two year battle with brain cancer. Once news of his death broke, the tributes poured in. Artists and Canadians from across the globe shared their memories of Gord. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gave an emotional statement from Parliament Hill, where he paid tribute to ‘our buddy Gord‘.
Heartbroken today. Few Canadians touched this country like Gord Downie. Thank you for everything you gave us. My deepest condolences. pic.twitter.com/00DdU6IVZn
— Doug Gilmour (@DougGilmour93) October 18, 2017
So long, Gord. Thank you. 🇨🇦 https://t.co/hFG1ujudez
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) October 18, 2017
What a gift Gord was to all of us. The country feels gutted right now. #RipGord #Poets
— Rick Mercer (@rickmercer) October 18, 2017
There will never be another Gord Downie.
