Gord Sinclair, the bassist of the Tragically Hip, still vividly recalls the band in their rehearsal space, a hub of creativity where five musicians collaborated to create music that none could produce alone. Even a decade after their final concert, he can’t help but wonder what new creations might have emerged had they continued their journey together.
In a recent interview, Sinclair expressed a deep sense of longing, stating, “I wish we were still doing it. I’d be curious what we were coming up with." However, he firmly believes that the Tragically Hip could not return to the stage without their iconic frontman, Gord Downie, who tragically passed away in 2017 due to a rare form of brain cancer. Sinclair mentioned, “I would never say never,” but emphasized the sadness of going on tour without Downie, saying, “It would just be a drag.”
The question of whether the band could continue without Downie has surfaced multiple times, and despite Downie encouraging his bandmates to move forward, Sinclair reveals that they never seriously entertained the idea of replacing him. “It just wouldn’t feel right,” he asserted. Sinclair pointed to Rush as a notable example of a Canadian band navigating the loss of a member after the death of drummer Neil Peart. He acknowledged that while Rush features drummer Anika Nilles, they have not sought to replace Peart, maintaining the band’s integrity.
As for the Tragically Hip, Sinclair remains skeptical about touring without Downie but is open to the band's future evolution. “I just couldn’t ever imagine us doing it without him," he stated. In the meantime, the band’s legacy continues to live through their music. They are set to release a collection titled “Live July 22 – August 20, 2016,” showcasing recordings from their last tour, which culminated in a performance in Kingston, Ontario, exactly ten years prior.
This final concert was a watershed moment, with approximately one-third of Canada’s population tuning in for what became known as “The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration.” To commemorate this milestone, CBC will air a rebroadcast of this farewell performance on Saturday. Reflecting on the emotional weight of revisiting the recordings, Sinclair admitted he initially found it challenging to hear them. “I couldn’t do it,” he said, expressing that the nostalgia was overwhelming. However, music executive Bruce Dickinson and longtime sound engineer Mark Vreeken undertook the meticulous task of curating the album from their extensive recordings of the tour.
Surprisingly, Sinclair noted that the final recordings do not carry the melancholic weight one might expect from a farewell. “You wouldn’t know that Gord was sick,” he remarked, indicating that it sounded like just another tour that unfortunate circumstances had rendered their last. Although Downie was battling cancer and dealing with the aftermath of surgery affecting his memory, he remained dedicated to the tour, showcasing remarkable professionalism and fervor.
During performances, there were moments when Downie struggled to remember lyrics, but audience members sang along vociferously, lending their voices to help trigger his memory. Sinclair described this unity as a “beautiful thing to be part of,” underscoring the powerful connection the band had with their fans during those final shows.
The Tragically Hip's closest reunion since their farewell was a lockdown-era performance with singer Feist during the 2021 Juno Awards. Meanwhile, their music has continued to resonate, with their 2005 compilation album “Yer Favourites” recently celebrating an impressive 400th week on Billboard Canada’s Top 200 chart, currently sitting at No. 15.
Next month, the Tragically Hip will receive an accolade in becoming inductees into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, a recognition that Sinclair finds particularly meaningful given the band's collective approach to songwriting. Initially, individual members would suggest various ideas in rehearsals, but over time, they learned to craft songs collaboratively, blending guitar riffs, bridges, and Downie’s evocative lyrics.
Sinclair appreciates the honor but admits it carries a bittersweet element due to Downie's absence. He believes that the Hip’s music, deeply rooted in Canadian identity, can inspire younger generations of artists across the country. “If they are able to learn how to express who they are and where they’re from, it makes the country that much better,” he said, emphasizing the strength in collective storytelling and experience.
