The Tragically Hip | CBC Music in Studio at the Junos: CBC Q Live #JUNOS

Gord, Rob, Johnny and Paul of The Tragically Hip sit down with Q's Tom Power for an exclusive interview about their career, their long-lasting friendship, the 2021 Juno Humanitarian Award and the loss of their friend and bandmate Gord Downie. #JUNOS




--------------------------------------------------

[chantal]

When Tom said Gord Downie "had no reason to be nice to me, " I felt that. I met Gord Downie at 1AM after he'd done a solo gig with the Country of Miracles back in 2010. I waited around after the show just in case, not expecting him to come out. He saw me and the three other fans waiting near the gate, he popped out and said, "Hey guys, give me like, fifteen minutes, I gotta clean up and I'll be out." We waited a half an hour, he walked out of the bus and spent an hour chatting with us about everything and anything. Middle of the night in Sudbury. He didn't have to do that, but he was so polite, gracious, and he was tired but luckily those other fans and myself were just happy to see and talk to him and we weren't hyper or full of big demands. The vibes were chill and good. We all thanked him for his time. He kissed the top of my head and thanked us all for coming out. I still think about that visit with him a lot.

[bchuntfish]

The Hip are more than a band of musicians. They painted a tapestry across this country of art, lyrics, and sound that penetrated the soul of many Canadians including myself.

[TippiGordon]

I've been a Tragically Hip fan ever since "Blow At High Dough" made its way across Lake Ontario to my radio in Western New York when I was a kid. I saw them at the Fillmore in San Francisco in 2002, standing just a few feet from Gord Downie. I watched the last show on my laptop with my wife, who I introduced to the Hip by giving her a copy of Live Between Us on one of our first dates. They were and are as much a part of my life as any musical artist ever has been. This was a wonderful interview, and I hope we hear more from them, in interviews, musically, or otherwise.

[hipaholic]

My son turned 21 yesterday - pregnant and visiting Victoria little Tragically Hip song came across the radio (NOIS). My life hasn't been the same now Saskadelphia. Love this band and these guys. Fabulous interview and so nice to see them together. As an American I raised my kids on all the Hip classics it when they sing along. Grateful for the new album. Thank you can't ever, never, ever get enough of the Hip.

[josephtaylor]

Excellent interview, thank you for this. The greatest rock 'n roll band in the world. Period. To Mr. Fay, Mr. Baker, Mr Sinclair, Mr. Langlois and Mr. Downie (RIP): THANK YOU. From: a fan.

[tothelighthouse]

It's so comforting to hear these guys just talk about their grief. I've felt out of place not being able to listen to the Hip anymore--the music hurts now, with Gord's passing, rather than heals the way it used to before 2016. It's just too painful to listen to.

So I appreciate that these guys talk about having drifted too--discuss having lost the connection a bit, moving on & avoiding the music & the past because it hurts so much. It's a comfort to hear them talk about not being able to make it thru certain songs yet without crying. It's a relief to hear that they haven't thrown themselves into Hip projects because it hurts & just doesn't fit the way it used to.

But it's also a joy to see them willing to take up their Hip mantle again from time to time. It's a thrill to hear their stories from the past, & to know that with each wander into the past it hurts a little but heals also. Time--the great stealer & the great healer.

[jethro]

Having Leslie play w The Hip was brilliant. Props to the engineers at CBC, they created very very good audio at the Juno’s . Ethereal and pure sound. The whole country needed that performance.

[marcrobinson]

Thank you so much for this. It wasn't only in Canada that the boys were loved. I am proud to have followed them for the last 20 years.

[wavywav]

Very touching interview. Heavy, hearing each of the guys talk about their grief, grieving and sense of loss.

[civilape]

Road Apples is one of my fav album so to have extra songs from that era is fantastic, for me.

[eddiejr]

I feel sorry for all the people that never got to experience Gord Downie do his thing in a live show...absolutely one of the Greats....rock on my brothers!!!

[RJP]

Man, what a heart warming interview. They (and I’m including Tom) are the best of us. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

[msmoniz]

Since I first heard and became aware of The Hip back in 1990, I've always loved their meat and potatoes rock and blues style, that still shone through even their most experimental songs, which I adore even more because they wanted to push themselves. But as a guitar player myself who tried for years unsuccessfully to start or join up with bands, what I've always admired the most and have been incredibly envious of is the friendship that the band has, which you could tell always came before the music. The music sprang out of the friendship, not the other way around. A true band of brothers, not just music business partners, that unfortunately, more bands end up being.

[RobinTrevorPike]

Listening to the "new" album...has brought back a LOT of memories. Then watching some of the videos on YouTube...so many emotions. A lot of us grew up listening to the Hip, seeing them live. They were the soundtrack of our youth. They were always there. They were our band. A Canadian band. It's been nice to re-visit the music, and hearing something new and fresh is beyond words. So appreciative of these guys. I saw them at least 10 times, and met them all (except Rob Baker) in the Fat Cat on George St. in St. John's, NL in 1996! I was there with a group of buddies and we were so pumped and enthralled. Gord Downie took the time to chat with us and even discuss lyrics. I miss him so much. Thanks Guys. Thanks Q.

[markmalinowski]

Gratitude for bringing Saskadelphia back to us all. Gratitude for Tom Power bringing these stories and memories from Canada's band.

[karynhall]

That was the best Tom, thanks so much for facilitating this wonderful conversation with the Hip. We will always love and remember this amazing group of musicians.

[janetkizer]

The Tragically Hip were just wonderful that last show. I was watching TV here in Vancouver, and marvelling at how they were dealing with the situation. I was a mess, myself. ❤

[thejman]

So great to hear from these gentlemen and what an interview! Someone who understands what it means to allow their guests to speak their minds without interrupting. I could listen to their stories for hours, they have so many after living the lives they have. The loss of Gord Downie still affects them to their core, a testament of their love and bond with him. Just heart breaking and beautiful at the same time.

[gilbertdueck]

Tragically Hip was with us so many nights driving around in our Hot Rods, Road trips, parties and many other events we had the Fully Completely album playing all the time, Thank you guys for making cool awesome meaningful music for us to enjoy, you guys never knew or met any of us guys from Southern Manitoba but you guys were our buddies for years growing up, Thank you for those times and thank you for sharing your last tour across Canada with all of us your fans and friends!

[Tinclogs]

I went to Toronto at 21 from Ireland for 2 years, and had I not I would be one of the unlucky ones who will have never found this band.
A true poet and ‘band’ in the purest sense. RIP Gordie amd thank you for the memories, time-out and feelings you gave me.