Gord Downie, lead singer of thoughtful Canadian rock band Tragically Hip, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The group broke the news on their website, writing, “Since [his diagnosis], obviously, he’s endured a lot of difficult times, and he has been fighting hard. In privacy along with his family, and through all of this, we’ve been standing by him.” But despite the unfortunate prognosis, the Juno Award-winning “the Hip,” who were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 2005, are still going on tour.
“So after 30-some years together as the Tragically Hip, thousands of shows, and hundreds of tours … We’ve decided to do another one. 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 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.” (Via thehip.com)
Dates for the tour haven’t been announced yet (there’s something, well, tragically rock ‘n’ roll about still hitting the road after doctors diagnosis you with terminal cancer), but Tragically Hip’s new album, Man Machine Poem, is due out June 17. Downie reportedly learned about his condition sometime last year, and a press conference will be held later today “to discuss the singer’s condition and treatment going forward,” according to Rolling Stone.
(Via the Hip)
