![]() ![]() ![]() Born into Pierre Trudeau’s nation-building exercise of Be it Robert Johnson, Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen,Īrtists who become the voice of a generation express the collective consciousness with an eloquence and profundity that elevates it to the level of high art without losing touch with the grassroots.Īnd Downie was indeed the voice of a generation. Observers have always been somewhat perplexed by the Hip’s paradoxical appeal that they are as beloved by high-minded intellectuals, who read Downie’s lyrics as literature on par with that of Al Purdy, Margaret Atwood and Hugh MacLennan, as they are by beer-swilling hosers who fist-pump their way through the band’s concerts, mouthing Downie’s cryptic lyrics every step of the way. from “Last American Exit” ( The Tragically Hip, 1987) I’m on the last American exit to my homeland.” I’m on the last American exit to the north land “You’ll watch the border offer you fame and watch you drown. Songs not only spotlighted Canadian stories, but did so in a unique, unconventional, often cryptic style that sounded like alien transmissions on US radio but still sold more albums in Canada than U2 or The Beatles. But they were largely perceived as cult figures whose unabashed Canadian-ness relegated them to the margins - quaint novelty acts in a society awash with Americanįor decades, to be a “successful” English Canadian music artist meant you were successful in the United States, which typically meant conforming to the homogenized tastes of the mainstream American marketplace. Granted, there had long been singer-songwriters who specialized in telling Canada’s stories to Canadians. Or at least that’s what people used to say, before Downie and the Hip came along. Our history is full of epics considered “too small to be tragic,” as The Tragically Hip’s It has been said that Canadians don’t tell our own stories or celebrate our own myths. from “So Hard Done By” ( Day for Night, 1994) “Interesting and sophisticated, refusing to be celebrated.” He will be sorely missed.The Tragically Hip on stage at the Sasquatch Music Festival, George, Washington, USA. “On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to Gord’s family, friends, bandmates and crew members, and his many, many fans. “Gord did not rest from working for the issues he cared about, and his commitment and passion will continue to motivate Canadians for years to come. For his work raising awareness of Indigenous issues, he was inducted as a member of the Order of Canada in 2017. Before passing, he shined his light on the story of 12-year-old Chanie Wenjack who died from hunger and exposure after trying to find his way home from a residential school. “In the wake of his diagnosis, Gord only fought harder for what he believed in: social justice, environmentalism, and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Our identity and culture are richer because of his music, which was always raw and honest – like Gord himself. When he spoke, he gave us goosebumps and made us proud to be Canadian. He painted landscapes with his words, elevating Canadian geography, historical figures, and myths. ![]() “Gord’s command of language was profound. ![]() “The Tragically Hip’s music invited us to explore places we had never been – from Mistaken Point to Churchill – and helped us understand each other, while capturing the complexity and vastness of the place we call home. He was the frontman of one of Canada’s most iconic bands, a rock star, artist, and poet whose evocative lyrics came to define a country. “For almost five decades, Gord Downie uncovered and told the stories of Canada. The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the death of Gord Downie: ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |