INTERVIEWS

Canadian Prime Minister Pays Tearful Tribute to Tragically Hip Singer

Published on 10/19/2017

Gord Downie, lead singer of the Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, died Tuesday night at the age of 53, following a battle with brain cancer. While the group’s impact in the rest of the world was not enormous, they’re a Canadian institution, roughly on a par with Bruce Springsteen in New Jersey or Billy Joel in Long Island.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, 45, is a longtime fan of the band and has frequently praised them over the years, and Downie, in particular, for his philanthropic work. On Wednesday morning, he gave a televised, tearful speech about Downie’s death in which he described the singer as “a rock star, artist, and poet whose evocative lyrics came to define a country.”

He noted that he found “inspiration and strength” from the singer’s charity and social work.

Watch it below:

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Related Topics:canada, Featured, pop rock, tragically hip

Rafael Polcaro

I'm a Brazilian journalist who always loved Classic Rock and Heavy Metal music. That passion inspired me to create Rock and Roll Garage over 6 years ago. Music has always been a part of my life, helping me through tough times and being a support to celebrate the good ones. When I became a journalist, I knew I wanted to write about my passions. After graduating in journalism from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, I pursued a postgraduate degree in digital communication at the same institution. The studies and experience in the field helped me improve the website and always bring the best of classic rock to the world! MTB: 0021377/MG