I have to admit, I wasn't initially a fan. The lyrics from "Locked In the Trunk of a Car" - don't know how old I am... reverberated from my older brother's bedroom and sent shivers down my spine. At a young age I just didn't get why someone would not know how old they are. Many years later I have grown to appreciate what people heard in "The Hip".
Ahead by a Century I always enjoyed as well as Courage and was caught up in the hype of it all and watched the documentary and surprised myself with knowing more songs than I thought I would.
In this passing today the country is mourning and I feel their pain but I also recall feeling the harsher reality of a loss of a more local musician and friend not too long again. As Downie says:
Music brings people together. So my function in anything I do is to help bring people closer together.
“I go for it; I sing, I dance, I listen to this great band, I do what the music urges.” — Gord Downie, 2009
So go for it, come together, listen to great bands and dance! And share your memories and favourite songs so all can enjoy.
RIP Gord Downie