Gord Downie has passed away

13

Comments

  • guitar101
    guitar101 Sutton, ON Posts: 398
    So sad to say goodbye to Gord.  I was lucky enough to be at the last show in Kingston and will never forget that night.  He has left behind an incredible legacy in his music.
    2005-9-12 London, ON
    2006-5-09 Toronto
    2007-8-03 (ed w/ ben harper) chicago / 2007-8-05 chicago
    2008-8-12 (ed solo) toronto
    2009-10-08 (ed solo) Albany
    2011-9-11 Toronto / 2011-9-12 Toronto
    2013-7-16 London, ON / 2013-7-19 Chicago / 2013-10-12 Buffalo
    2016-5-11 Toronto, On / 2016-5-13 Toronto, On
  • pearljim
    pearljim Posts: 1,312

    Thank you Gord for all that you gave us.  I'm lucky to live close to Detroit so I saw many a show at The State / Fillmore, Cobo, Pine Knob.  I also saw you in Toronto, London Ont., Buffalo, Chicago, Edenfest, Toledo Zoo!

     and a recording studio in Harper Woods with maybe 40 people.  You and the band were always so gracious when I did get to meet you / talk with you.  Your performances were always top notch and I never, NEVER walked away thinking  - "Eh they phoned it in today".  Gord - You were Ahead By A Century.  R.I.P.

    Thank you Eddie and Pearl Jam for giving Gord a shoutout August 20th in Wrigley.  I had posted here on the forum in the days leading up to the 20th as I was torn about going to Wrigley or Kingston (chose Wrigley only because I had tickets).  You made my night with your shoutout as my wife and I went crazy on the infield.  Thank you.  

    If you have a chance to make life better for others, and fail to do so, you are wasting your time on this earth.

    Roberto Clemente.
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Posts: 40,129
    pearljim said:

    Thank you Gord for all that you gave us.  I'm lucky to live close to Detroit so I saw many a show at The State / Fillmore, Cobo, Pine Knob.  I also saw you in Toronto, London Ont., Buffalo, Chicago, Edenfest, Toledo Zoo!

     and a recording studio in Harper Woods with maybe 40 people.  You and the band were always so gracious when I did get to meet you / talk with you.  Your performances were always top notch and I never, NEVER walked away thinking  - "Eh they phoned it in today".  Gord - You were Ahead By A Century.  R.I.P.

    Thank you Eddie and Pearl Jam for giving Gord a shoutout August 20th in Wrigley.  I had posted here on the forum in the days leading up to the 20th as I was torn about going to Wrigley or Kingston (chose Wrigley only because I had tickets).  You made my night with your shoutout as my wife and I went crazy on the infield.  Thank you.  

    I was thrilled that Ed gave that shoutout (I was hoping for a cover, but that was good enough). It made me cry when I saw footage of it. I honestly had no idea if the Hip were on his/their radar. I can't imagine being a fly on the wall when Ed and Gord spent time together in Seattle. I would love to see a pic of the two of them from then, if one exists. 

    some people I know have met Gord. by every single account, by famous people and non-famous people alike, the consensus was he was an incredibly humble and genuine human being. Wish I could have met him. 
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • DavidD
    DavidD Posts: 2,576
     This one cuts the deepest. 
    We love you Gord. R.I.P. 
  • ShanKathy
    ShanKathy Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 314
    edited October 2017
    CBC Radio did a good job of honouring Gord yesterday with a two hour special on Radio 2 and q on radio one. As well, many of the other shows took time to remember him. I happened to be in the car quite a bit yesterday and was grateful to hear all that, sing along, and shed a few tears.

    If you get a chance, check out a movie called One Week with Joshua Jackson. The story is about a man who finds out he has cancer and, instead of starting treatment right away, buys a motorcycle and rides across Canada. Gord has a cameo in the movie as a stranger who gives the younger man some advice. It's bittersweet to reflect on that now. 

    Thank you Gord for many years of meaningful, interesting, and creative music. Your voice will be missed.
    Post edited by ShanKathy on
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,984
    edited October 2017
    Ron McLean's interview from yesterday was so touching. Ron's awesome - he says things so well.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBnfhxvh1PE

    My numbness rubbed off on the way home from work yesterday - hit me harder last night.

    FYI, apparently the CTV Long Time Running broadcast on Friday will be at 6pm Pacific, not 5pm as many might assume (or at least that's what I read online).

    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Posts: 40,129
    Secret Path In Concert is on CBC on Sunday October 22nd. 
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • rylan
    rylan Posts: 230
    RIP Gord. You were a true legend and the memories you and the Hip gave me are some of the greatest of my life.  Glad I got to see the hip in Minneapolis one last time in 2015.  They blew the roof off First Ave.!!! 
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Posts: 40,129
    rylan said:
    RIP Gord. You were a true legend and the memories you and the Hip gave me are some of the greatest of my life.  Glad I got to see the hip in Minneapolis one last time in 2015.  They blew the roof off First Ave.!!! 
    that's the show I was trying to convince some buddies to go to. none of them wanted to. total regret i didn't try harder. 
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • rylan
    rylan Posts: 230
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    rylan said:
    RIP Gord. You were a true legend and the memories you and the Hip gave me are some of the greatest of my life.  Glad I got to see the hip in Minneapolis one last time in 2015.  They blew the roof off First Ave.!!! 
    that's the show I was trying to convince some buddies to go to. none of them wanted to. total regret i didn't try harder. 
    I hear you bro, was going to go see Tom petty in June and chose not too and never went to go see Soundgarden or Audioslave..........ahh hindsight.  Did see PJ and Tom Petty in Milwaukee in 2006.  Also caught the hip on a sidestage at summerfest 2 days later and it was one of my favorite shows ever.  Didn't even know the Hip were there until the morning of the show. We were supposed to drive home but a few of us stayed and it was awesome!! It was Canada day too!!
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Posts: 40,129
    rylan said:
    HughFreakingDillon said:
    rylan said:
    RIP Gord. You were a true legend and the memories you and the Hip gave me are some of the greatest of my life.  Glad I got to see the hip in Minneapolis one last time in 2015.  They blew the roof off First Ave.!!! 
    that's the show I was trying to convince some buddies to go to. none of them wanted to. total regret i didn't try harder. 
    I hear you bro, was going to go see Tom petty in June and chose not too and never went to go see Soundgarden or Audioslave..........ahh hindsight.  Did see PJ and Tom Petty in Milwaukee in 2006.  Also caught the hip on a sidestage at summerfest 2 days later and it was one of my favorite shows ever.  Didn't even know the Hip were there until the morning of the show. We were supposed to drive home but a few of us stayed and it was awesome!! It was Canada day too!!
    yeah, fucking soundgarden. saw them in 95, got backstage. met matt. then in 2012 they were playing Minnie. My buddy who is a massive cornell fan couldn't go with me as he had a wedding that same weekend. we were going to catch them next time. FUCK. 

    same happened with Temple. fought with myself over spending the travel costs to see them in Seattle. didn't. FUCK. 
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • foodboy
    foodboy Posts: 988
    dear hughfreakingdillion if i can find my tape that i made at the 90 show i would like to get it to you. its from the masonic temple in toronto. very small venue. had 1st row balcony which was the best place to record from. i have never released this recording. i just have to find it. 
  • Zod
    Zod Posts: 10,971
    The feeling you guys are getting about bands you wanted to see but missed, it's how I currently feel about the Stones.  The only big rock band I've wanted to see that I've never seen.   You think it's hard seeing PJ, I think the Stones only play here once every 10 or 15 years.    I'm starting to think I need to plan a trip around it and see them before it's too late.
  • PJ_Soul
    PJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 50,984
    PJ_Soul said:
    Ron McLean's interview from yesterday was so touching. Ron's awesome - he says things so well.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBnfhxvh1PE

    My numbness rubbed off on the way home from work yesterday - hit me harder last night.

    FYI, apparently the CTV Long Time Running broadcast on Friday will be at 6pm Pacific, not 5pm as many might assume (or at least that's what I read online).

    Now that I see the guide tomorrow, what I read about the time is not true. The broadcast is at 8pm Pacific.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Longueuil
    Longueuil Posts: 2,224
    HughFreakingDillon said:

    STATEMENT

    October 18, 2017

    Last night Gord quietly passed away with his beloved children and family close by.

    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… on the lips.

    Gord said he had lived many lives. As a musician, he lived “the life” for over 30 years, lucky to do most of it with his high school buddies. At home, he worked just as tirelessly at being a good father, son, brother, husband and friend. No one worked harder on every part of their life than Gord. No one.

    We would like to thank all the kind folks at KGH and Sunnybrook, Gord’s bandmates, management team, friends and fans. Thank you for all the help and support over the past two years.

    Thank you everyone for all the respect, admiration and love you have given Gord throughout the years – those tender offerings touched his heart and he takes them with him now as he walks among the stars.

    Love you forever Gord.

    The Downie Family

    Beautiful text. Farewell, poet.
  • Fifthelement
    Fifthelement Lotusland Posts: 6,965
    RIP Gord. Saw the Hip for the first time in July 1990, saw them for the last time in February 2015. They, along with PJ, have been the soundtrack of my youth into my middle age.  I grieve for his family, for the band and for the fans.  Thank you for the the music and the memories.
    "What the CANUCK happened?!? - Esquimalt Barber Shop
  • dancinacrossthewater
    dancinacrossthewater Posts: 800
    ❤️
  • HughFreakingDillon
    HughFreakingDillon Posts: 40,129
    foodboy said:
    dear hughfreakingdillion if i can find my tape that i made at the 90 show i would like to get it to you. its from the masonic temple in toronto. very small venue. had 1st row balcony which was the best place to record from. i have never released this recording. i just have to find it. 
    um, YES PLEASE. 
    Your boos mean nothing to me, for I have seen what makes you cheer



  • Lukin19
    Lukin19 Posts: 544
  • helplessdancer
    helplessdancer Posts: 5,293
    https://www.facebook.com/boundlessproductions/posts/10154886149391471

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