Tragically Hip songs to resonate differently after news of Gord Downie's illness: Buck 65
Rich Terfry says Gord Downie taught him to pay attention to 'each little tiny element of a song'
Canadians may be listening to Tragically Hip songs a little differently after learning that the band's lead singer Gord Downie has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, says Canadian alternative hip hop artist Buck 65.
Rich Terfry, host of CBC Radio 2's Drive and a musician known by his stage name Buck 65, told Metro Morning that Downie is a naturally talented artist with a distinctive voice, but he is also extremely thoughtful and meticulous when it comes to making music. The Hip announced that Downie has terminal brain cancer on Tuesday.
Terfry says Downie has made his mark on Canadian music.
"He's a Canadian through and through. He sings great Canadian ballads. With his craft, his ability to sing, his talent as a musician, his work resonates," Terfry said. "The music lives inside him."
"You hear stories once in a while about the great hit song that was written in five minutes. I think Gord is more kind of the guy who ... you might sit down and labour over a song for weeks, months, who knows, maybe even years. I know he puts a lot of thought and craft in what he does, and I certainly respect that a lot," he said.
Terfry collaborated with Downie on the song, Whispers of the Waves, which has a reference to cancer. He toured with the singer before they wrote the song and said working together was an educational experience.
"He was quite insistent that we take the time, before we sat down to write, to we talk about what the song meant and why our two voices had to be together, what they would represent in this particular song. It all had to make philosophical sense," he said.
"It was absolutely new for me. I never thought that deeply about the purpose for each tiny little element of a song. It elevated my game. It was never the same for me after that. I had to use that same level of detail and thought. I couldn't go back."
Terfry said the process wasn't easy because the two had to think things through and engage in long conversations, but it was important. "A much stronger song resulted," he said.
Dr. D. J. Cook, a neurosurgeon at Kingston General Hospital who removed most of Downie's tumour, said Downie is looking forward to the tour and he's doing well despite having gone through surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy.
"He's in good spirits. He's done extremely well in therapy and he's looking forward to what he's planned ahead," Cook said. "Gord has faced this with a huge amount of courage. He has a lot of family support. He's done extremely well."
Cook said the upcoming tour will give the band a chance to do "what works for them."
"It's an opportunity for them to do what they love," he said.
The tour is in support of the band's 14th studio album Man Machine Poem. It kicks off July 22 in Victoria and wraps up in the band's hometown of Kingston, Ont., on Aug. 20.