Grace, too

 In Opinion

The Tragically Hip helped define a generation. It’s been said many times this week after the band’s announcement that frontman Gord Downie has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

Since the release of the Tragically Hip’s second album, Up to Here, in 1989, the band has had the ear of Canadians. Anyone coming of age in the late 80s and early 90s would be familiar with the band’s unique blend of jock rock and Downie’s poetic lyrics and frenetic stage presence. The Hip has continued to release a new album about every two years, staying in the hearts and consciousness of those who helped raise them to the top of the Canadian music charts.

There is a good chance everyone knows The Hip’s music, even if they don’t realize it. It has been standard radio Can-Con for almost 30 years, a soundtrack for road trips and beers on patios. For some, the music, which may conjure memories of bush parties and camping trips, was often shared on mixed tapes. A generation, albeit not widely praised for its musical taste, were devoted to The Hip.

Canadians have seen The Hip perform at concerts, festivals and on national holidays and in Clearview Township. The New Farm welcomed Gord Downie with the Sadies in 2014 and he had such a great experience that he returned with his Hip bandmates the following year. Now the band is embarking on another tour in support of their album Man Machine Poem, to be released next month.

On Tuesday the band posted a statement on its website saying, “This feels like the right thing to do now, for Gord, and for all of us. What we in The Hip receive, each time we play together, is a connection with each other, with the music and its magic and during the shows, a special connection with all of you, our incredible fans. So, we’re going to dig deep, and try to make this our best tour yet.”

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