Canadian Musicians Pay Tribute to Gord Downie

Canada lost an icon with the passing of Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie on Tuesday night (October 17), and the news has been met with an outpouring of grief and love from fellow Canadian musicians — and even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
 
Feist shared a heartfelt cover of Downie's "The Stranger" yesterday, while many others simply shared memories on social media.
 
Praised for his songwriting talent, warm personality and intrepid reconciliation efforts, it's clear that Downie won't soon be forgotten in his home country.
 
Find a selection of social media tributes from Canadian musicians below.
 

I'm  truly saddened by the news of Gord Downie's passing. Canada has lost  one of its bright stars. He will be missed but not forgotten.

— Gordon Lightfoot (@Lightfoot365) October 18, 2017

 

Rest In Peace legend 😓😢 so glad we got to meet and have this conversation. You will be forever treasured by this country and missed by the world 🇨🇦

A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi) on Oct 18, 2017 at 8:49pm PDT

 

We love you. Thank you Gord...for everything https://t.co/rw4fWTcoFK

— Broken Social Scene (@bssmusic) October 18, 2017

we love you, gord. we will walk with your ghost. he won't be alone. https://t.co/z4xvBAYk1f

— Stars (@youarestars) October 18, 2017

 

We love you gentle love soldier. Thank you for your words, your sweat and your kindness......

A post shared by Stars (@montrealstars) on Oct 18, 2017 at 9:51am PDT

feeling grateful to live in a country where the prime minister, whether you "like" him or his policies, cries over the death of a poet.

— torqcampbell (@torquilcampbell) October 18, 2017

Gord Downie has left us but it's beautiful to see how much love there is in the world for him. Rest In Peace my friend.

— Joel Plaskett (@joelplaskett) October 18, 2017

Go gently, Gord. 💙

— Richard Reed Parry (@ParryReed) October 19, 2017

RIP Gord Downie - he was a Canadian icon who used music to unite people and will be greatly missed #GordDownie pic.twitter.com/DRDCrwoBmR

— The Elwins (@TheElwins) October 18, 2017

Our boy @heytimbaker singing Gord for Gord (chord for chord) last year at @TheStromboShow : https://t.co/0fevZpwiQf

— Hey Rosetta! (@heyrosetta) October 18, 2017

1st time I saw the Hip was 1988ish at the Misty Moon. His shirt was soaking wet by the 2nd song. Met him maybe 8 yrs later. He gave me his..

— Patrick Pentland (@PatrickPentland) October 18, 2017

...phone # backstage at the Metro Centre: "Call us if you're ever in Toronto." Regret I never did. The Hip asked us several times to tour..

— Patrick Pentland (@PatrickPentland) October 18, 2017

...with them thru the 90s, but the timing never worked. Finally we got to do a handful@of dates with them in 2000 in Europe. All genuine...

— Patrick Pentland (@PatrickPentland) October 18, 2017

...people. No star business. I remember the day after a particularly jovial post show hangout at some bar in Germany, Gord came up and...

— Patrick Pentland (@PatrickPentland) October 18, 2017

...says simply, "We had a few drinks last night." The mantra of the road. He was a real rock star, a brave soul, someone to learn from. 🔊🔊🔊

— Patrick Pentland (@PatrickPentland) October 18, 2017

 

Txt thread w my brother and sister this morn. We spent much of our childhoods living in different cities, but one thing that always connected us was Canadian music, and primarily The Hip. I have so many memories of my youth that are intrinsically tied to the sounds of Fully Completely and Day For Night. You'd think with over a year to prepare for this reality we'd all be in better shape about it. But I just dropped my kid off at preschool with red eyes, and all I hear in my head are Gord's lilted deliveries of the lyrics that defined how it felt to be Canadian in the Canada I grew up in. I'm sad and thankful. I wouldn't be me without Gord's words sewn into my blood. Much love to a nation in grief and a newly orphaned music community. We will all cherish and miss you, Gord. Grace, too.

A post shared by Dan Mangan (@danmanganmusic) on Oct 18, 2017 at 8:59am PDT

Gord Downie was a really compassionate, kind and thoughtful man. He was a great artist and inspiration. RIP Gord

— Tim Kingsbury (@sampatchmusic) October 18, 2017

Thank you Gord. You'll never stop inspiring us.

— ARKELLS (@arkellsmusic) October 18, 2017

 
Of course, despite Downie's uniquely Canadian hero status, artists and celebrities from around the world have also paid homage.
 

Man, Gord Downie is one of those true-blue kind humans, which makes his music THAT much more an inspiration. Some people aren't looking to be famous they just want to share art and joy their in own special flavor. Again, what a LIFE. ❤️

— Neko Case (@NekoCase) October 19, 2017

Rest in Music Gord Downie @thehipdotcom The Tragically Hip salutes

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) October 18, 2017

I'm so sorry Gord Downie has passed. He was a passionate activist, a wonderful artist &an extraordinary human being. He'll be sorely missed.

— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) October 18, 2017

GORD DOWNIE I LOVE YOU FOREVER

— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) October 18, 2017

Thank you for all of it, Gord. Such an inspiring life and career. RIP. @thehipdotcom

— Craig Finn (@steadycraig) October 18, 2017

Dive into Downie's storied discography by ordering the complete Tragically Hip vinyl collection and the deluxe edition of Downie's 2016 solo album Secret Path via MusicVaultz.