Tragically Hip's Gord Downie facing terminal cancer

[VALuvsMKwan]

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/24/enter...-cancer/?iid=ob_homepage_deskrecommended_pool

Between Kurt Browning's skating and the song "Courage" from "The Sweet Hereafter", I recognize the name of his group. So very sad.

 

[Artemis@BC]

Many many sad music lovers on this side of the border. The Hip is one of the best-known and best-loved bands here in Canada, and you'd be hard pressed to find another rock/pop musician here who hasn't been influenced directly or indirectly by them. I've loved them for years and have seen them live a few times, and they were some of the best concerts I ever attended.

After the news about Downie broke the other day, it was almost immediately followed up by a tour announcement. Those are going to be some very sought-after tickets when they go on sale next week.

 

[Artemis@BC]

One of my favourites of theirs: Bobcaygeon

Other faves include Fiddler's Green and Wheat Kings

 

[screech]

When I think if the Hip, I remember after news of Hurricane Katrina hit, one of the local radio stations cheekily (and inappropriately) played their song "New Orleans is Sinking," while many other stations temporarily refused to play it out of respect. I'm not a Hip fan, but I did always like that song (though not in that context of hearing it...)

 

[algonquin]

Very sad about Gord, he is a Canadian icon. Stupid, stupid, stupid cancer.

Tragically Hip is one of the best names ever for a rock band.

 

[VGThuy]

When I think if the Hip, I remember after news of Hurricane Katrina hit, one of the local radio stations cheekily (and inappropriately) played their song "New Orleans is Sinking," while many other stations temporarily refused to play it out of respect. I'm not a Hip fan, but I did always like that song (though not in that context of hearing it...)

Classy of that station, though I don't think the band meant it literally.

 

[Debrah]

This year has become almost too tragic in terms of musical icons lost, or in this case dealing with the end. I really, really hope Hip fans turn out in huge numbers to support Gord and the rest of the band...If I wasn't so darn old and in such a bad state of health myself I would like to be there in person to cheer them on.

 

[Cachoo]

Between "60 Minutes", "Vice" and Jimmy Carter I am hearing/seeing some rather remarkable results coming from infecting the brain with different diseases that are programmed to attack only the cancer. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but going from a fast-spreading, stage four brain tumor to no sign of a tumor is hopeful. Of course everything is in trial stages now but it would be nice if he could be part of one of these trials.

 

[overedge]

I think his doctor said that Downie is at the point where all that can be done is "maintenance". As in they can keep him going as he is for as long as they can, but there's nothing more to try in curing him. And of course the patient might just want to enjoy the quality of life they have, rather than undergoing a trial or test procedure that might make them feel horrible.