The Tragically Hip reveal Gord Downie's cancer, new tour
Gord Downie, frontman and lyricist of the Tragically Hip, has revealed that he is battling terminal brain cancer. The band posted news of Downie's condition on their website and social media accounts early Tuesday, along with the announcement of a meaningful new tour.
q news correspondent Mitch Pollock joins Shad to react to the news, share a clip of Downie from the q archives, and spin one of the Hip's greatest songs.
WEB EXTRA | Read the band's full statement below. Plus, watch the livestream with the neuro-oncologist treating Downie at 11:00 a.m. ET.
MAY 24 2016 (Toronto, ON) - As announced by the band via their social media platforms and website this morning, The Tragically Hip have shared the news of band member Gord Downie's terminal health condition and their plans to mount a tour this summer. The Hip's statement reads as follows:
"Hello friends. We have some very tough news to share with you today, and we wish it wasn't so. A few months ago, in December, Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Since then, 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. 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 it's 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. We hope you can come out and join us this summer — details and dates will be coming this week. And we sincerely thank all of you, for your continued love and support,
Paul, GordD, Johnny, Rob, GordS