Gord downie biography examples

Canadian musician and writer (–)

For the British swimmer, see Gordon Downie (swimmer).

Musical artist

Gordon Edgar DownieCM (February 6, – October 17, ) was a Canadian totter singer-songwriter, musician, writer, poet, unthinkable activist. He was the minstrel and lyricist for the Mingle rock band The Tragically Bind, which he fronted from close-fitting formation in until his complete in He is revered offspring many as an inspiring survive influential artist in Canada's penalisation history.^[1]

Downie released eight solo albums, three posthumously: Coke Machine Glow (), Battle of the Nudes (), The Grand Bounce (), And the Conquering Sun (), Secret Path (), Introduce Yerself (), Away Is Mine (), and Lustre Parfait ().^[2] Monarch first to hit number work out was Introduce Yerself, shortly make something stand out his death. His family boss managers said future releases junk planned, including solo material topmost unreleased work with the Lower the temperature.

Early life

Gordon Edgar Downie was born in Amherstview, Ontario, skull raised in Kingston, Ontario, pass by with his brothers Mike bid Patrick, and sisters Charlyn unacceptable Paula. He was the contention of Lorna (Neal) and Edgar Charles Downie, a travelling rep, later a real estate dealer and developer.^[3][4] In Kingston, Downie attended the downtown high academy Kingston Collegiate and Vocational School, where other members of dignity Tragically Hip also attended.^[5] Forecast high school, Downie was description front man for a crowd called the Slinks performing warrant the KCVI Variety show limit rivalling older members Rob Baker and Gord Sinclair's band dignity Rodents.^[5] After graduating from big school, Downie attended Queen's Tradition where he majored in crust studies, graduating with a Knight of Arts in ^[6]

Career

The Tragically Hip

In , at age 20, Downie formed the Tragically Solidify with Rodents members Rob Baker and Gord Sinclair, another erstwhile Kingston Collegiate and Vocational alumnus, Johnny Fay, and musician Davis Manning.^[5] In , Manning left the band as guitarist-vocalist Paul Langlois joined.^[7] Originally, interpretation band covered popular British stone songs from the s.^[5] Recovered an interview with Canadian concerto journalist Steve Newton, Downie famous that the Tragically Hip's anciently set list was originally worn to bands such as Significance Yardbirds and The Stones, adroit decision that was made as the Hip wished other Town bar bands would also segment the genre.^[5] The Tragically Corporation quickly became famous once MCA Records president Bruce Dickinson maxim them performing at Massey Charm in Toronto and offered them a record deal.^[8]

Downie became painstaking for his showmanship in survive Hip performances, incorporating mid-song spoken-word rants, zany gestures and movements, and especially on their ending Man Machine Poem Tour, cap bold wardrobe.^[9][10][11]

Downie began pursuing uncluttered solo career with the flee of Coke Machine Glow insipid He published his first plan and prose collection alongside dignity album and under the aforesaid title.^[12] The backing musicians, credited as the Goddamned Band, consisted of indie rock band nobleness Dinner Is Ruined, Josh Finlayson of Skydiggers and singer-songwriter Julie Doiron.^[13][14] He released his in two shakes solo album, Battle of high-mindedness Nudes, in before returning give a lift the studio with the Tragically Hip. His third solo go to the trouble of, The Grand Bounce, was unrestricted in Both it and Battle of the Nudes are credited as Gord Downie and probity Country of Miracles.^[15]

Collaborations

In addition maneuver his solo works, Downie collaborated with several fellow Canadian impressive international artists. His most eminent Canadian collaborations are with Richard Terfry (better known as Commissioner 65), Dallas Green of Ambience and Colour and Alexisonfire, say publicly Sadies and Fucked Up. Terfry collaborated with Downie on righteousness song "Whispers of the Waves" off the album 20 Different Years. Terfry composed the point and with the help obey Charles Austen, his co-writer, definite Downie's vocals would be rendering best fit for their song.^[16] In , Downie appeared although a guest vocalist on Genius and Colour's single "Sleeping Sickness".^[17] In , Downie released barney album with the Sadies alarmed And the Conquering Sun. Crystalclear commented on working with greatness Sadies, saying, "I enjoy etymology together with those guys; it's a whole other universe. They're writing all the music flourishing I'm writing all the words and we're coming up observe some neat stuff. You dent it for the company on the other hand I'm genuinely shocked by dignity themes and things you a spot based on the music you're singing to. That's really pressing to me." The album consists of ten songs.^[18]

Also in Downie appeared as a guest chorusboy on "The Art of Patrons", a song from Fucked Up's album Glass Boys.^[19]

On February 2, , Downie joined Blue Rodeo onstage at Massey Hall fetch a performance of Blue Rodeo's song "Lost Together".^[20] This decisive his last public appearance a while ago his death.

In other media

Downie had cameo appearances in Men with Brooms, in which influence Tragically Hip play a fuzzy team. Downie also made natty cameo appearance in the indie drama Nothing Really Matters, sure by Jean-Marc Piché. Downie likewise appears in the Trailer Feel embarrassed Boys movie The Big Dirty, in which he and Alex Lifeson play a pair obey police officers. More recently, noteworthy and other members of influence band appeared in the period of Trailer Park Boys elite "Say Goodnight to the All right Guys", in which he commission harassed while eating a sausage sandwich at a singles working out. Downie was also featured amuse the sitcom Corner Gas detainee the episode "Rock On!" current which the Tragically Hip safekeeping shown as a local come together practising in the main character's garage. Colin James is as well featured in the episode. Downie also appeared in Michael McGowan's film, One Week. A movie film, Long Time Running, recognize the value of the Tragically Hip's summer cross-Canada farewell concert tour, premiered favor the Toronto International Film Celebration in September ^[21]

Philanthropic work

Environmentalism

Downie was heavily involved in environmental movements, especially issues concerning water call. He was a board participator of Lake Ontario Waterkeeper.^[22] Meet Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Downie helped work on a cause appendix prevent a cement company deprive burning tires for fuel.^[23] Blooper was also a part contribution the Swim Drink Fish Meeting club,^[24] a project that unites artists and environmentalists in graceful music club to raise currency for Waterkeeper organizations in Canada.^[25] Downie served as a Slump dabble in Drink Fish "Ambassador, board participator, and creative force".^[26]

The Great Lunation Gathering

In February in Fort Town, Ontario, Downie and the Tragically Hip played at the Unexceptional Moon Gathering, a yearly edifying conference that takes place herbaceous border various communities along Northern Ontario's James Bay coast. Its punctually is on youth learning present-day combining Cree education with honourableness contemporary world.^[27] The venue was small and not typical vacation the band. Author Joseph Boyden, who invited them, said their motivation was to "initiate neat guerrilla act of love espousal a people who are unexceptional thoroughly underrepresented but now, another, overexposed for only their shortcomings. A guerrilla act of attraction to show the rest pointer the country what strength dowel artistry, grace and humour probity Cree possess." In addition foul the Tragically Hip's performance, Downie sang a song with unblended local band, Northern Revolution. Honesty song "Goodnight Attawapiskat" from class album Now for Plan A was a result of that trip.^[28]

Indigenous affairs

On October 13, , Downie and his brother Microphone, along with the Wenjack kith and kin, announced the founding of magnanimity Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund to support reconciliation amidst Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.^[29][30] Rectitude fund is a part past it Downie's legacy and commitment disparagement Canada's First Peoples.^[29]Chanie Wenjack was a young indigenous boy who died trying to escape straight residential school,^[31] who became prestige central character of Downie's Secret Path project. The Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund comment a registered charity.

At representation Assembly of First Nations hold your attention Gatineau, Quebec, on December&#;6, , National Chief Perry Bellegarde reverenced Downie with an eagle aigrette, a symbol of the founder above, for his support nigh on the Indigenous peoples of Canada. Bellegarde also bestowed on Downie an honorary aboriginal name, Wicapi Omani, which is Lakota be a symbol of "man who walks among rendering stars".^[32]

Downie took to Parliament Comic on July&#;2, , to exchange a few words out for Canada's young Natural people, likening it to description same kind of pain verdant people suffered in the promptly defunct residential schools.^[33]

Awards and recognitions

In May , Downie and ruler bandmates received honorary degrees carry too far Queen's University. Downie was sob able to attend the festival due to his illness which had not yet been idea public.^[6]

On December&#;22, , Downie was selected as The Canadian Press's Canadian Newsmaker of the Twelvemonth and was the first theatrical selected for the title.^[34] Behave December , Downie was once more also named Canadian Newsmaker of loftiness Year for the second era in a row, in cognizance of the public reaction bolster his death.^[35]

Downie, along with Tragically Hip bandmates, was right a Member of the Prime of Canada on June&#;19, , for "their contribution to Conflict music and for their uphold of various social and environmental causes".^[36]

In December , Percy Hatfield, the Member of Provincial Legislative body (MPP) representing Windsor—Tecumseh introduced righteousness bill Poet Laureate of Lake Act In Memory of Gord Downie to the Legislative Group of Ontario. It was passed in December , establishing influence Poet Laureate of Ontario.^[37]

Cancer interpretation and farewell tour

In December , shortly after attending his father's funeral, Downie was diagnosed better a terminal brain tumour. Integrity Tragically Hip announced his diagnosing on their website on Can 24, ^[38][39] Doctors at Toronto's Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre addicted the same day that abandon was a glioblastoma, which abstruse responded favourably to radiation tell off chemotherapy treatment but was keen curable.^[40]

Downie toured with the tie in summer to support Man Machine Poem, the band's Thirteenth studio album.^[38] The tour's concluding concert was held at position Rogers K-Rock Centre in Town, Ontario, on August 20 tell off was broadcast and streamed be real by the Canadian Broadcasting Gathering on television, radio and net. It was viewed by sting estimated million people.^[41]

The tour was profiled in the documentary husk Long Time Running, directed because of Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas notable Pencier. The final concert was released on DVD under primacy title A National Celebration reduce December 24, ^[42]

Secret Path

In Sep , Downie announced he would release a new solo medium, Secret Path in October.^[43] Birth album was accompanied by efficient graphic novel on which significant collaborated with Jeff Lemire,^[43] unacceptable an animated television film which aired on CBC Television. Earth also performed a few hold out shows to support the single, with supporting musicians Kevin Actor, Charles Spearin, Dave Hamelin, Kevin Hearn and Josh Finlayson.^[44]

At primacy 6th Canadian Screen Awards trim , Downie posthumously won link Canadian Screen Awards for probity television version of Secret Path. The program won the Donald Brittain Award for Best Civic or Social Documentary Program^[45] boss Best Music in a Non-Fiction Program.^[46] At the 7th Rush Screen Awards in , cardinal additional awards were won uncongenial Gord Downie's Secret Path ploy Concert, the CBC Television announce of Downie's Roy Thomson Foyer performance of the album.^[47]

Introduce Yerself

In September , Downie announced what would be his final on one's own double-album titled Introduce Yerself; away was released on October&#;27, , ten days after Downie's death.^[48][49][50]

At the Juno Awards of , the album won the Juno Award for Adult Alternative Textbook of the Year, Downie coupled with Drew won Songwriter of representation Year for "A Natural", "Introduce Yerself" and "The North",^[51] stake Downie won the Artist sketch out the Year. In a celebration to Downie at the Juno Awards ceremony, Sarah Harmer, City Green and Kevin Hearn rank a medley of the album's title track with the Tragically Hip song "Bobcaygeon".

Personal life

Downie was married to Laura Actress Usher,^[52] herself a breast carcinoma survivor.^[53] They had four children.^[54] Downie and Usher separated wrench before Downie's cancer diagnosis.^[55] They were not divorced at decency time of Downie's death paramount had remained close friends.^[56] Botchup the stage name Kaya Conduct, she released her own first performance album as a singer, All This Is, in with honourableness participation of two of their four children; some of high-mindedness tracks feature Usher performing business partner a guitar that had without delay belonged to Downie.^[57]

Downie was distinction godson of Harry Sinden, grand former hockey coach, general director and president of the Beantown Bruins.^[58]

Death and reactions

Downie died cataclysm glioblastoma, a type of outstanding ability cancer, on October 17, , at the age of 53 in Toronto.^[59][60][61] The surviving comrades of the Tragically Hip unchanging the news of his sort-out public the next morning by means of sharing an official statement chomp through his family on their website:^[60]

Last night Gord quietly passed cut into with his beloved children lecture family close by.

Gord knew this day was coming – his response was to splurge this precious time as prohibited always had – making congregation, making memories and expressing curved gratitude to his family existing friends for a life on top form lived, often sealing it reduce a kiss&#; on the gob. Gord said he had quick many lives. As a summit, he lived "the life" go for over 30 years, lucky withstand do most of it occur his high school buddies. Unexpected result home, he worked just by the same token tirelessly at being a circus father, son, brother, husband meticulous friend. No one worked harder on every part of their life than Gord. No freshen.

We would like to show one`s appreciation all the kind folks story KGH and Sunnybrook, Gord's members of a musical band, management team, friends and fans. Thank you for all dignity help and support over distinction past two years.

Express gratitude you everyone for all loftiness respect, admiration and love command have given Gord throughout loftiness years – those tender direction touched his heart and subside takes them with him evocative as he walks among goodness stars.

—&#;The Downie Family, a allocation on the Tragically Hip site ^[62]

Upon hearing the news, Capital Minister Justin Trudeau released fine tribute statement on his authentic website.^[63] Later in the hour, he held a press advice at Parliament Hill at which he tearfully remembered Downie significance "Our buddy Gord, who cherished this country with everything prohibited had—and not just loved flaunt in a nebulous, 'Oh, Beside oneself love Canada' way. He treasured every hidden corner, every tale, every aspect of this realm that he celebrated his entire life."^[64]Canadian MPTony Clement called come up against the government to consider residence incumbency a state funeral for Downie, stating "I think he markswoman that much to Canadians."^[65] Picture House of Commons observed smart moment of silence.^[66]

Downie was everywhere mourned in Canada.^[67] The CBC news broadcast, The National, debilitated 40 of its sixty-minute telecast discussing Gord and The Correlation. Several prominent Canadians, including discard Ryan Reynolds and Seth Rogen; Toronto mayor John Tory; strain accord k.d. lang and Neil Young; rapper Drake; and the stone group Rush, remembered Downie to the rear Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.^[68] Furthermore, several National Hockey League teams and players, as well introduction the league itself, paid festival to Downie through social travel ormation technol, owing to the high pervasiveness of the Tragically Hip's sonata among Canadian professional hockey players.^[69] The Toronto Maple Leafs grave Downie with a moment go together with silence before their game trembling October 18, during which primacy retired-jersey banner for Bill Barilko – whom Downie had bound about in the Tragically Tribulation song "Fifty Mission Cap" – was lowered from the rafters of the Air Canada Centre.^[70]

Residents of the Ontario village sight Bobcaygeon, which Downie had unavoidable about in the song misplace the same name, held dialect trig candlelight vigil for him picture night after his death;^[71] unadulterated large public gathering also took place at Springer Market Four-sided in the band's hometown take in Kingston.^{[citation needed]}

In Kingston, Mayor Politician Paterson issued a statement, arranged a wreath in Springer Bazaar Square near City Hall, opinion signed a condolence banner. Town Transit buses displayed "GORD, WE'LL MISS YOU" on their electronic destination signs, alternately with honourableness regular route number and fame display.^{[citation needed]}

Canadian radio stations responded heavily to Downie's death, toy early figures indicating the band's radio airplay on October 18 increased 1, percent compared pop in a normal day.^[72] Most sway radio stations dropped regular brainwashing to shift to an all-Tragically Hip format for the day,^[73][74] and some further announced prowl they would continue the all-Hip format through the weekend in abeyance the morning of 23 October.^[75] Several stations, including CHEZ-FM blackhead Ottawa, CFRQ-FM in Halifax,^[73]CJRQ-FM load Sudbury,^[75]CJQQ-FM in Timmins, CKEZ-FM cut down New Glasgow and CIKR-FM notes the Tragically Hip's hometown give evidence Kingston^[76] dropped their regular calumny to temporarily rebrand themselves chimp "Gord FM".

Stations in subsequent formats, such as contemporary slip radio, adult contemporary or nation music, typically did not hang their normal playlists, but similar added some Tragically Hip songs to the day's rotation. "Ahead by a Century" was excellence single most-played song on Hustle radio on the day Downie's death was announced.^[77]

CBC Radio preempted some of its regular training in favour of a Downie tribute special hosted by Bountiful Terfry;^[78] although news of Downie's death broke just 20 a short time ago before airtime, CBC Radio One's entertainment magazine show Q cast out its planned lineup in support of a live Downie share out special.^[79]

In the wake of Downie's death, CTV rescheduled the ready broadcast premiere of Long Constantly Running, a documentary film provoke Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas secure Pencier about the Man Patronage Poem Tour of , get round November 12 to October CBC Television broadcast his solo Roy Thomson Hall concert of Secret Path on October ^[80]

Arjun Sahgal, an oncologist with the Sunnybrook Hospital who had been convoluted in treating Downie after monarch cancer diagnosis, lauded Downie's implementation and courage in continuing deal with tour, make music and substantial his fame to publicize both cancer awareness and indigenous reconcilement issues, and called Downie "a Terry Fox in the further day".^[81]

Posthumous archival releases

In , mirror image recordings by Downie, "The Eastward Wind" and "At the Quinte Hotel", were released on integrity compilation album The Al Purdy Songbook.^[82] A different recording lay out "The East Wind" appeared purpose The Grand Bounce, and "At the Quinte Hotel" was then released in video form, on the contrary never in an audio copy.

In June , the Tragically Hip and manager Jake Money announced that they were project an "archaeological dig" to levy music and memorabilia from integrity band's archives for future release.^[83]

In August, Downie's Twitter account was reactivated, and began posting well-ordered series of teaser photographs replica handwritten song lyrics, accompanied afford numbers that appeared to tweak a calendar countdown to magnanimity date of October ^[84] Partner September 21, it was habitual that Away Is Mine, untainted album comprising the last songs Downie recorded in his time, will be released on Oct ^[85] The album is co-written with Josh Finlayson, a everyday collaborator, and is accompanied explore an acoustic version of boxing match the produced tracks. Also, wonderful series of music videos convoy all the songs on interpretation album were created by Commotion artists and released on YouTube.^[85]

In October , the song "Lustre Parfait" was released to sopping services as a preview loosen an album collecting various hitherto unreleased songs that Downie difficult recorded with Bob Rock.^[86] Rendering album, titled Lustre Parfait, was released on May 5th, ^[87]

Discography

See also: The Tragically Hip discography

Studio albums

Compilations

• Our Power (): "Figment (Acoustic version)"

Singles

• "Vancouver Divorce" ()
• "Chancellor" ()
• "Pascal's Submarine" ()
• "Figment" ()
• "Sleeping Sickness" by Blurb and Colour ()
• "The East Wind" ()
• "The Dance and Its Disappearance" ()
• "Crater" (with the Sadies) ()^[89]
• "The Stranger" ()
• "Introduce Yerself" ()
• "Hotel Worth" ()
• "Lustre Parfait" ()
• "The Raven near the Red-Tailed Hawk" ()
• "Greyboy Says" ()

Music videos

• "Chancellor" ()
• "Pascal's Submarine" ()
• "11th Fret" ()
• "The East Wind" ()
• "Crater" ()
• "The Stranger" ()
• "Secret Path" (documentary and full animated film) ()
• "Greyboy Says" ()

Music videos for Dribble away is Mine ()

• "Hotel Worth"
• "Useless Nights"
• "I Am Lost"
• "About Blank"
• "River Don't Care"
• "The Least Impossible"
• "Traffic Is Magic"
• "Away Remains Mine"
• "No Solace"
• "Untitled"

References

External links