From Rush, to The Band, to The Guess Who, Canada has contributed some of the greatest bands to the mainstream world of music in the 21st century.
The Tragically Hip, however, have acquired a strange kind of notoriety. Although their influence and popularity in Canada is unquestioned, they simply could not achieve the same success beyond the border.
This does not mean they were lacking in success. Rather, they leaned heavily into their identity as a Canadian band.
This seems to have only added to their status as rock legends in Canada, almost like a closely kept secret only Canadians are allowed to experience. Everyone has a story about The Hip to pass down, and through this, they live on past their disbandment.
Though their historic lineup was not fully formed until 1987, The Tragically Hip began in 1984 in their hometown, Kingston. As Queen’s students, they began playing local bars like the Toucan, known as the Terrapin Tavern, and Clark Hall Pub, cementing their origins in the town.
While their first album released in 1987, it was their follow-up album, Up To Here, released in 1989, that garnered nationwide attention. However, their lack of recognition abroad was not due to a disinterest in appealing to a non-Canadian audience, as the band toured heavily in the 90s and 2000s.
In 1995, The Hip performed as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live (SNL), after being personally selected by Canadian host and former cast member, Dan Akroyd.
This performance has been remembered as one of their most famous due to a lyrical slip by Gord Downie at the beginning of Grace, Too, brought upon by the band smoking marijuana before going on.
Aside from the slip up, their successful performance on American television is remembered as The Hip’s attempt to branch out to a more international audience. While the positive reception from the SNL cast and Akroyd’s personal support may have been enough exposure for them, their popularity in America did not grow.
The Hip continued touring throughout the 2010s, especially in Canada, and continued residing in Kingston, where they formed. Their continuous association with their native country was certainly a factor in their popularity, as they were, first and foremost, a Canadian band.
In 2015, Downie was tragically diagnosed with a terminal form of brain cancer. This news came as a shock to fans and contemporaries alike. Aware of the little time he had left to live, Downie was determined to spend his last years performing to the country that he meant so much to.
The Man Machine Poem Tour was held from July 22 until Aug. 20, 2016, exclusively touring around Canada. Ten cities were visited by The Hip over the two-month period with a final show held in Kingston at the K-Rock Center, now Slush Puppie Place. Their final show was broadcast live by the CBC across Canada and was attended by then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Downie passed away on Oct. 17, 2017, in Toronto. The Tragically Hip officially disbanded after his death, as his bandmates announced that they would not carry on touring or recording without their frontman.
In a recent interview with CBC, the guitarist of The Hip, Rob Baker, reflected on Downie and their final tour. “I was horrified at the concept,” he said when he was presented with the idea of Downie touring during his treatment. Though, knowing how little time he had left the band was “not going to deny Gord a dying wish.”
The Tragically Hip’s influence in Canada cannot be understated, and neither can their love for this country. While other Canadian bands grew to achieve worldwide success, The Hip remained a Canadian band, and are more loved for it.
With Kingston’s Forever Hip campaign bringing the whole city together to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of their final tour, it is clear they are still Canada’s rock band.
Tags
Canadian, rock, The Tragically Hip
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