tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post5191894264066986165..comments2024-03-03T17:01:57.876-05:00Comments on Montreal Simon: Gord Downie, the Tragically Hip, and the Canada I LoveSimonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-4017167532874254372016-08-22T22:48:59.104-04:002016-08-22T22:48:59.104-04:00Like yourself, I didn't quite got the Tragical...Like yourself, I didn't quite got the Tragically Hip until I finally went to my first concert, which also happened to be their final performance in Toronto: http://bit.ly/2bhhmUC.<br /><br />Prior to the concert, I had mentioned to my friend that the Man Machine Poem tour is like this Generation's Terry Fox Run. Rather than running across the country, the Tragically Hip played every song they could to their best ability while also donating some of the ticket proceeds to the Sunnybrook Foundation for cancer research.<br /><br />Although this is the end of the line as far as touring goes for the Tragically Hip, I really hope the Canadian entertainment industry can pool together and do one massive telethon to help Gord raise more awareness and funds for brain cancer research.Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294450257590193930noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-4608758451873042882016-08-22T17:52:58.300-04:002016-08-22T17:52:58.300-04:00I was a hipster in my youth (bad pun) and finally ...I was a hipster in my youth (bad pun) and finally ast down to listen to them...a revelation. Songs about hockey, David Milgaard, sea voyages gone bad, love, anger, weirdness. So essentially Canadian and I've listened to them more or less over the years, but they're definitely part of our fabric, like that old sweater you love even though it more or less fits.<br />And yeah Gordie, we're fine with Justin...though the CPC sure are trying to bring him down. Too bad it isn't working...<br />Pierre<br />Pierre Dupontnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-61253671435591419432016-08-22T06:53:12.253-04:002016-08-22T06:53:12.253-04:00hi Grant...that too must have been an experience t...hi Grant...that too must have been an experience to remember. And like you, I too hope that medical science, or a miracle, can keep Gord rollin for a long long time....Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-8737003806415005902016-08-22T06:51:00.118-04:002016-08-22T06:51:00.118-04:00hi Luce...lucky you, it must have been an amazing ...hi Luce...lucky you, it must have been an amazing experience. Like more than 11 million other Canadians I was riveted to my TV set, so I can only imagine what it must have been like live. As some police department tweeted, Canada was closed down for the duration of the concert, and it couldn't have been a more unifying experience. But as for the Tragically Hip maple leaf flag I'm afraid I can't help you. But if you find out please let me know, because I want one too.... ;)Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-18817471156686518682016-08-22T06:45:08.737-04:002016-08-22T06:45:08.737-04:00hi Steve...As I said in my post I don't know w...hi Steve...As I said in my post I don't know why the Hip were not more popular in the U.S. The only thing that can explain it in my mind is that Gord Downie's lyrics were too sophisticated, and that they didn't feel the need to be validated by anybody else than Canadians. But as for Drake being our new ambassador of culture, it's something I'd rather not think about...Simonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15309809679331128837noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-49755046441018513142016-08-21T17:13:44.694-04:002016-08-21T17:13:44.694-04:00I first saw the Hip 20 plus years ago in a small b...I first saw the Hip 20 plus years ago in a small bar in Kelowna BC. They played an old Robert Johnson song - Train Kept A Rollin - as an encore for at least 10 minutes. I hope he keeps a rollin as well.<br />grant johnstonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-26434760335343208142016-08-21T11:55:33.051-04:002016-08-21T11:55:33.051-04:00was in kingston last night to watch a man who live...was in kingston last night to watch a man who lives with such love!!! as if all else was part of it - the fear, the good bye, the loss. which, of course, it is. tears still well up in my eyes but i don't really know why anymore. Gord Downie stays in every artist and person who pushes their dream (did he say 13 people showed up to their first gig?) he will forever linger in the reasons why even the confused, apathetic or otherwise preoccupied portion of the canadian electorate understands that the Canadian North MUST have the attention it commands. but most of all, even beyond the music he etched into our brains, it is the maple heart - his love for his country that makes us connect the nebulous parts of ourselves as a country with the things that are personally essential. ha!<br /><br />i let my tears be real but know that there is neither need, nor time to be sad, 'cause we are never alone and have much to do. so thanks for the inspiration, Gord and right back at you!!!! <br /><br />thanks for writing about things that matter, simon. cheers. <br />any ideas where i can get the Tragically Hip maple leaf flag? <br />lfluceformahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772782713133612037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23253782.post-16260022813551355322016-08-21T08:25:48.863-04:002016-08-21T08:25:48.863-04:00I grew up 70 K from Bobcaygeon. Joined the hip ban...I grew up 70 K from Bobcaygeon. Joined the hip bandwagon about ten years ago. I remember reading in the NYT a review of a Concert where the writer called them the greatest living Rock n roll band or something, and he also puzzled why does America not get the hip. I am somehow at a loss to explain that after the hip, Drake will be our ambassador of culture.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14162783936999869984noreply@blogger.com