All the reasons we love Gord Downie (& The Hip)

October 17th marks the anniversary of the passing of one of Canada’s most beloved figures & Tragically Hip front man, Gord Downie.

The Amherstview, Ontario native was born February 6th, 1964 sharing his birthday with a few legendary names: Bob Marley, Axl Rose & Rick Astley. We’re thinking Feb 6th should be a national holiday! Do you agree?

Are you actually Canadian if you don’t like hockey and The Hip? We learned Geography from Gord (notably where the hundredth meridian is which is way better than the 99th meridian), how bad it would be to end up locked in the trunk of a car, we learned what ‘Road Apples’ are (horse manure!) … but we are still searching for that place that serves $1.50 beers!? We also learned to be passionate about what you do with your life, stretch your comfort zone, and be a positive change in the world.

We wanted to celebrate Gord Downie by sharing our favourite songs, quotes and facts about this national treasure. By the way, can we please rename the silver dollar to the ‘Silver Downie’ and put his face on it?

Gord’s Guilty Pleasures

Gord’s guilty pleasure was the Bee Gee’s. “You know, it’s not a band that you’re supposed to [like], but God, I love them.” he said in the documentary ‘Long Time Running’. We do too Gord.

Did Gord have stage fright?

Gord was asked on the Hip’s farewell tour about his new shiny suits, which was a drastic departure from his usual attire. Many feel these outfits matched his personality & stage presence though, so no one complained. These outfits were for show, but also a stronger attitude. Gord described his new stage attire as: “Elvis ’74” — they acted like armour. “I felt cool up there ’cause I was usually afraid.”

Gord Downie … the actor?

Did you know Gord & the boys made a couple cool guest appearances which you might have seen? Downie was in ‘Men with Brooms’, in which the Tragically Hip play a curling team. He was harassed once while eating a bologna sandwich at a singles dance on an episode of the Trailer Park Boys, plus appeared in their movie ‘The Big Dirty’, alongside Alex Lifeson (RUSH) where they’re playing a pair of police officers. (Check out that ‘stache!)

Vicki Tyler (101.9 ROCK Mornings)

Let’s take a trip back to my first cassette tape…while my friends were living in a pop world blasting The Spice Girls and the Backstreet Boys, I scored a copy of The Tragically Hip’s ‘Day for Night’ for Christmas.  My mind was blown by songs like Grace Too, Greasy Jungle and So Hard Done by.  That one cassette opened the gates for me to discover earlier Hip and I learned to appreciate some of the best things Canada has to offer.  Seriously, who else would teach us about Bill Barilko and Tom Thomson? OK, some teachers, but it sounded way cooler coming from Gord Downie!

Mitch Belanger (101.9 ROCK Mornings)

They are the rock band I have seen more than any other, from their early club days in the mid 80’s when they were still doing covers up until the last time I saw them at the North Rocks The Bay Festival at the North Bay waterfront in 2009.  It’s a little fuzzy but I know I’ve seen them at least 12 times.  I still remember that first gig at the Dutch Mill Inn in Trenton. Me and my buddies saw the name “The Tragically Hip” on the marquee.  We were so intrigued by this unusual band name that we had to go in and check it out and these guys did not disappoint.  I was immediately blown away by Gord Downie’s stage presence and that signature growl.  Who was this strange and charismatic creature?  The band was so tight and talented.  You could tell they had been playing together for awhile.  There was such a chemistry.  I was an instant fan!
Favorite Hip song: Twist My Arm
“The groove of the song grabs you right off the top and when Gord name drops Jacques Cousteau in the opening line it goes to the next level. A definite stand-out in their impressive catalogue.”