![]() ![]() I want to ask you about hockey because you obviously had a connection with Gord, The Hip and hockey. Dave Bidini is one of the founding members of the Canadian rock group, The Rheostatics, who opened for the Hip on three national tours in the 1990s. He's also the author of 11 books including "the Tropic of Hockey" and "On a cold Road." Listen to Bidini's conversation with Checkup host Duncan McCue:ĭuncan McCue: My next guest is a musician who knew Gord Downie for many years. "I'll remember as that person who would be the first to call and the first to write in both good and bad times." The late musician's passion for Canada's sport was evident in his songs, including "Heaven is a Better Place Today," "Fifty-Mission Cap" and "Fireworks."īidini, who knew Downie for many years, also remembers him as an "endlessly supportive" friend. "Gord was super playful, super gentle, super beautiful, but he was all business in the crease," Bidini said. Toronto Mayor John Tory tweeted that the Toronto sign will be lit in red and white and dimmed Wednesday evening in honor of Downie.This week, as we celebrated the life and legacy of Gord Downie, long-time friend, tourmate and teammate Dave Bidini gave us a glimpse into a side of Downie we don't normally see - the " gravely serious goalie." Tributes to the late singer poured in on social media. 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," the statement said. "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," Trudeau said. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a statementthat touched on Downie's role as an influencer on Canada's culture. He was known for championing the causes of the country's indigenous people, social justice and the environment. "If you're a musician and you're born in Canada it's in your DNA to like the Tragically Hip," Green said.ĭownie also released five solo albums from 2001 to 2016, which only increased fans' adoration of him.Īnd as much as Canada loved Downie, he loved it back. "This feels like the right thing to do now, for Gord, and for all of us," the band said at the time in a statement.īorn in Kingston, Ontario, Downie loved playing hockey and became a lifelong fan of the Boston Bruins, which was strengthened by his godfather, Harry Sinden, serving as the team's coach and general manager.īut he loved music and songwriting even more.įormed in 1984, the Hip, as the band is commonly called, became one of Canada's premiere groups with hits such as "Wheat Kings," "Bobcaygeon" and "Ahead by a Century."Ĭity and Colour's Dallas Green told The Canadian Press in June 2016 that Downie was "the gold standard - the way he writes and cares about music and the way he cares about the song." Tragically Hip toured in summer 2016 as a way of dealing with the singer's diagnosis. The singer announced last year he had been diagnosed in December 2015 with terminal brain cancer. "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. "Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by," the statement read. The statement was released via the band's official Twitter account and posted on its website. Gord Downie, frontman of the Canadian rock band Tragically Hip, has died, his family said in a statement Wednesday. ![]()
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