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Gord Downie

Downie

Gord, Downie, Wicapi Omani

Solo

In Kingston, Downie attended the downtown high school Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute, where other members of The Tragically Hip also attended. In high school, Downie was the frontman for a band called the Slinks performing at the KCVI Variety show and rivaling older members Rob Baker and Gord Sinclair's band the Rodents.

In 1984, Downie formed The Tragically Hip with, Rodents' members, Rob Baker and Gord Sinclair, another younger, Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute alumnus, Johnny Fay, and saxophonist Davis Manning. In 1986, Manning left the band as guitarist-vocalist Paul Langlois joined.

Originally, the band covered popular British rock songs from the 1960s, performing in small venues around Ontario[1] In an interview with Canadian music journalist Steve Newton, Downie noted that The Hip's early setlist was originally drawn to bands such as The Yardbirds and the Stones, a decision that was made because The Hip wished other Kingston bar bands would also play the genre. Downie often said that the first time they realized they were famous was when they first walked out of Baker's basement jam.[4]

Solo Career

As a result of Downie's contributions to the cause of Indigenous Reconciliation, he was appointed a member of the Order of Canada.[1] Downie's Order of Canada received backlash as members of the Mathias Colomb Cree Nation advocated that a time of reconciliation, a "white rockstar" should not be the prominent topic in the discourse.[2]

By individuals in Downie's circle, he was known as a quiet and cerebral man, showing interests in family, music, and hockey.[1] In Downie's later years, he became a close friend with famous hockey player Bobby Orr, often making appearances at Bruins games together.[2][3]

The Tragically Hip

The Hip

The Hip

The five band members were all graduates of Kingston Collegiate Vocational Institute and would play together for an impressive 33-year career.[1][2]

The Hip's frontman, Gord Downie, has often been considered one of Canada's most popular and influential rock artists.[1]

Downie also played the KVCI Variety Show as the frontman of a band named The Slinks.[1] After graduating from Kingston Collegiate, Baker and Sinclair continued their studies at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where Downie would soon join them a few years later.[2]

In 1986, guitarist Paul Langlois joined the band as saxophonist Davis Manning left that same year.[1]

In 1984, the band had their first gig at the Kingston Artists Association on Queen's University campus. The band's original setlist was comprised of popular British rock songs from the 1960s.[2] By the mid-1980s, The Hip became popular in Kingston and was considered by university students as the band-to-see, playing packed shows at Clark Hall Pub, again on Queen's University campus. After The Hip's initial struggle to be heard, they began touring local Ontario venues as word of this up-beat Kingston band broke out. In November 1988, while playing a show at The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, the band was approached by MCA president Bruce Dickinson who offered them a record deal.