Gord Downie has passed away

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.

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. 

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.

Secret Path In Concert is on CBC on Sunday October 22nd. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

❤️