Canadian Musicians Pay Tribute to Gord Downie

Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, Drake, Stars, Dan Mangan, Sloan and more remember the late Tragically Hip singer

Photo: Kim Jay

BY Sarah MurphyPublished Oct 19, 2017

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 β€” 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.
 

 
 

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

A post shared by Stars (@montrealstars) on

 

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


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

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