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‘With just a few words, you gave the whole country Courage’: Fans pay tribute to Gord Downie
GORD DOWNIE

The Tragically Hip front man will be remembered as an artist whose offbeat charisma and edgy talent appealed to the highbrow and to ordinary people. Here we offer a selection of social posts remembering the iconic Canadian artist

Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie takes part in an honouring ceremony at the Assembly of First Nations Special Chiefs Assembly in Gatineau. Downie passed away October 18 after a battle with brain cancer. He was 53.

GLOBE STAFF

This article was published more than 6 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.

Gord Downie, the imaginative songwriter, inimitable live performer, environmentalist, advocate for First Nations people and published poet, died on Oct. 17 surrounded by his family and children, the Tragically Hip announced in a statement.

From The Globe and Mail's obituary on Mr. Downie:

When it came to time with his fans, Mr. Downie was giving and accessible, often signing autographs with his ever-present four-colour Bic pen. 'If you put in a little bit of effort as a fan, I think Gord and the band recognized that you were putting yourself out there,' said Joshua Kloke, author of Escape is at Hand, a book based on his fandom of the Hip. 'I think they saw that you were putting yourself in a vulnerable position.'

Here is a small selection of reaction from fans across social media. A reoccurring theme from many is that Mr. Downie represented the best of what Canada has to offer. If you'd like to share your favourite memory or simply say thank you, please use #RememberingDownie and we will monitor and share on this page.

In photos: A look back at Gord Downie's life in song

One nation under Gord: The tour a whole country followed

Ian Brown joined Gord Downie on a tour bus to talk mortality, music and Chanie Wenjack

I saw The Hip many moons ago and unfortunately I was too young to really appreciate what I was watching. Cocky teenager not really getting it. Now, it's too late. Thankfully Gord Downie made everyone feel included in every show. As the daughter of a residential school survivor, I am forever grateful for the way Gord put the horror of residential schools in the faces of Canadians everywhere. He saw the strength and purity behind every First Nations person and praised it in the most beautifully heartbreaking way. Gord was a warrior and a lover of truth and, well, love. Your memory will live on forever and we'll try to make you proud. Rest peacefully, oh gentle soul. 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦 #GordDownie #TheHip #TheTragicallyHip @thetragicallyhip #Reconciliation #ChanieWenjack #SecretPath #CanadasFrontMan #RestPeacefully

A post shared by Elya 🖖 (@elya_llap) on

We all have our stories and memories, but thank you for the music. #RIP #GordDownie #TheTragicallyHip #Canada #Proud

A post shared by Officer Randall Arsenault (@pcarsenault) on

GORD DOWNIE'S LIFE AND LEGACY: MORE FROM THE GLOBE AND MAIL

Obituary: Gord Downie, troubadour of Canada, charmed and challenged a nation Brad Wheeler chronicles the life and music of a Canadian chronicler who also stood up in solidarity with Indigenous people.
'With just a few words, you gave the whole country courage': Fans pay tribute to Gord Downie The Tragically Hip frontman will be remembered as an artist whose offbeat charisma and edgy talent appealed to the highbrow and to ordinary people. Here we offer a selection of social posts remembering the iconic Canadian artist.
Samantha Nutt: Gifted and generous, Gord Downie proved cynicism does not always prevail Agreeing to perform for free at benefit concert, Gord Downie was instrumental in launching War Child Canada, its founder writes.
Less bitter, more sweet: Hip’s final show was a milestone for a generation During the Man Machine Poem Tour, Benjamin Shinewald noticed the Tragically Hip at an airport and expressed his gratitude to Gord Downie. Here, he tells his story.