bouche

What a huge and tragic shock. This leaves such a big hole in our lives and hearts. I just cannot imagine going out in Ottawa and not seeing him there. I used to think I went to a lot of concerts until I met Brad! He was an inspiration, so dedicated to the love of music and always sharing it with everyone. He was one of the first people I met when I moved to Ottawa, of course, as he was always at any show that I attended. He also introduced me to Velvet, for which I cannot thank him enough. We will miss him so much.  Rest in peace Brad.

This avatar is legendary and needs to be retired.   
One of the greatest things about this forum is that I met BradM through this forum . His history here, dates all the way back to 8/28/2001.   His 23,000ish posts paint a great picture of who he was, and cover an incredible amount of shared musical experiences.   Some of his year-end posts would highlight all of the wonderful events he had attended (and recorded) that year.  
Many of his postings were either a solid "head's up" for an upcoming show, and generally followed by a download link to a recording that he made so everyone could either hear or revisit the same great things he was often experiencing.  The time and effort he put in to his archive.org contributions is pretty astounding.
BradM always helped drive this forum. There will be a big whole left behind from this event.
Back to the avatar.  BradM chose this avatar on that day in 2001, along with his username,  stylized capitalization within 'BradM', and eternally signed-off posts with a consistent "Aloha, Brad".  This was his persona here, and it never wavered during all this time.  Addressing him as 'BradM' ILR always felt natural.  
I will forever identify him through this avatar.

Much love, Brad. We'll miss you.

My first Jambands post in a VERY long time... thanks for bumping BradM's post. It is comforting. He will really be missed... 

That's what the guy said. He was standing a few feet away from me on the bus, and he had a Phil and Friends t-shirt on. I had a Phish t-shirt on, and we made eye/t-shirt contact, recognizing the common ground we had both tread on.
The "they" he was referring to was the Dave Matthews Band, and we were on our way back from seeing them at the Corel Centre.
"No, they're not," I replied.
"Well, if you like Phish, you have to check out 'nero'," he said.
That was the second time I'd heard that band's name that day; earlier, I'd had a reply from a guy I had e-mailed, who was looking for people to fill out a jamband he was forming. He didn't need a guitar player, but told me to check out 'nero' if I liked jammy guitar stuff.
"They're playing downtown tonight. You should come out," my bus-buddy said.
OK, I took the twice-hearing-of-a-band-I-didn't-know-in-one-day as a Sign, and went along.
It was a tiny, upstairs bar, and the decor was more like a biker hangout than a Nice Place. There was a stage over in the corner, with a trio of musicians' gear on.
The band started playing, and I was hooked. Walls of emotion-filled music wafted over me, wrapped around me, and then went through me. I don't think I'd ever been that close to something like that.
Time passed, and the band finished. Being a guitar player and a gearhead, I noticed something unusual: the guitarist's amp.
"Hi, I'm Brad," I introduced myself.
"Hi, I'm Dave," he replied.
"What model of Dr. Z is that?" I asked.
"Wow...most people don't know it's not a Zenith..."
Can you say "fast friends"? I thought you could...
Can you remember where you were or what you doing three years ago? I can: all of the all of the above happened on Tuesday, August 7, 2001, three years ago, today.
I walked away from the bar, The Whipping Post, with a couple of things: knowledge of a new (to me) band I liked a lot, a website to go to (then called The Phish Sanctuary), and a couple of new friends, including the guy I talked to him on the bus: Davey Boy.
I had spent most of the '90s living a quiet life. I might go to a show or two, but hardly ever a club; I didn't know many bands, and had a pretty small circle of friends. Some of my "hibernation" was due to a hangover from a pretty tough few years at school, but a lot of it was, I think, shyness, and the paralysis induced by a feeling of safety.
Since then, well, words almost fail me. I've made more friends, seen more shows (125 days with shows in 2003, alone), and done more in the past three years than I'd done in the ten years before. I don't amalgate well (there's a certain bit of loner in my psyche), but this community has, without thinking, I believe, it's just the way it works, welcomed me, and allowed me to grow and do what I can and be what I am (and have become). It's given me so much, and allowed me to give back so much, that, I can't (and don't want to) imagine what my life would be (and would have been) without all of it.
Bring on the next three years! (Well, after I get through celebrating the anniversary at GTB tonight. :
{{{{{{{{{all of you}}}}}}}}}
Aloha,
BRAD (Been Reminiscing About Daves)

Oh wow, thanks for bumping that post, Hart.
I was devastated to hear this terrible news. At home this morning, I heard Ollie yell "Oh no!"...to which I replied "Oh no...Who died?", thinking that yet another celebrity passed away.
Unfortunately, the news was much worse, much closer to home. Brad was indeed a celebrity in his own right in this town's music community.
I just saw Brad less than two weeks ago. I was always happy to see Brad at a house party or concert. I felt comfort when seeing him because if I didn't know who to talk to, I knew I could talk to him. And it was about music. I always asked him what shows he saw recently or was going to see soon. Last conversation we had was about Mike Essoudry. He was telling me about a show coming up at Mavericks on November 7th. I wasn't surprised to hear him mention Essoudry. He was a big fan. Another band that Brad often promoted is Souljazz Orchestra. I think of Brad whenever I see their name.
Looks like I need to buy some scotch. Cheers to you, Brad!

I had to read the news several times before it sunk in. It still hasn't really. I knew Brad as a fixture of the Ottawa music scene years before I actually met him. I don't know anyone who dedicated himself with more passion to his... not a hobby but life's work. He leaves us a great legacy.
Aloha Brad!
 

I suspect a lot of you guys know this story but I think it was after this Dave Matthews show in 2001 when, on public transport back to Ottawa... well I hadn't really enjoyed the show and may have been venting a bit. I spotted a lanky fellow freak in a Phish t-shirt... and announced to everyone in the immediate vicinity "Now there's someone that knows good music". I told him about how nero was playing afterward, downtown and told him he should go see the show.
Years later and every now and then he'd sling his arm around me, reminiscing about that fateful night. It almost became comical, trying to remember who owed whom a round since the last show, since the last shared moment of musical magic, since the last exchange of the broadest of shit-eating grins. I think we've all heard that line from him "THIS is why I tape!" and everyone who did hear it couldn't help but feel that infectious unbridled joy.
Over the years his love of live music and enthusiasm for the next show never wavered. The number of friends he met and embraced along the way was and remains a shining example of the kind of unconditional friendship and love that we should all strive for. Farewell Brad, thank you for the legacy, the memories and the love.
 

This avatar is legendary and needs to be retired.   
One of the greatest things about this forum is that I met BradM through this forum . His history here, dates all the way back to 8/28/2001.   His 23,000ish posts paint a great picture of who he was, and cover an incredible amount of shared musical experiences.   Some of his year-end posts would highlight all of the wonderful events he had attended (and recorded) that year.  
Many of his postings were either a solid "head's up" for an upcoming show, and generally followed by a download link to a recording that he made so everyone could either hear or revisit the same great things he was often experiencing.  The time and effort he put in to his archive.org contributions is pretty astounding.
BradM always helped drive this forum. There will be a big whole left behind from this event.
Back to the avatar.  BradM chose this avatar on that day in 2001, along with his username,  stylized capitalization within 'BradM', and eternally signed-off posts with a consistent "Aloha, Brad".  This was his persona here, and it never wavered during all this time.  Addressing him as 'BradM' ILR always felt natural.  
I will forever identify him through this avatar.

This avatar is legendary and needs to be retired.   
One of the greatest things about this forum is that I met BradM through this forum . His history here, dates all the way back to 8/28/2001.   His 23,000ish posts paint a great picture of who he was, and cover an incredible amount of shared musical experiences.   Some of his year-end posts would highlight all of the wonderful events he had attended (and recorded) that year.  
Many of his postings were either a solid "head's up" for an upcoming show, and generally followed by a download link to a recording that he made so everyone could either hear or revisit the same great things he was often experiencing.  The time and effort he put in to his archive.org contributions is pretty astounding.
BradM always helped drive this forum. There will be a big whole left behind from this event.
Back to the avatar.  BradM chose this avatar on that day in 2001, along with his username,  stylized capitalization within 'BradM', and eternally signed-off posts with a consistent "Aloha, Brad".  This was his persona here, and it never wavered during all this time.  Addressing him as 'BradM' ILR always felt natural.  
I will forever identify him through this avatar.

Figured this was the best thread to share this.
 

Here's my Gord story:
In Sept 2009 the Hip did a theater tour, and played 3 nights in Ottawa at the venerable National Arts Center. I went the 3rd night, we had pretty good seats in the 6th or 7th row, dead center. It was awesome. The performance of "Scared" gave me the music shivers! I'd seen the Hip many times before but this was the first time I realized that Gord was acting out the song's lyrics with his facial expressions. It was brilliant.
During "Blow at High Dough" Gord came out into the crowd, walking on the backs of the seats. He stopped right beside me, put his hand on my shoulder to support himself, and stuck the microphone in my face so I could sing a line. I shouted "Blow at High Dough" as best I could. I think I was in key. He was sweating profusely, and much of his sweat ended up on my shoulder and head. I didn't wash for a few days!

Our own Blurry managed to raise over $6000 via The Hip for some good causes.
https://globalnews.ca/news/3823833/stratford-man-selling-tragically-hip-signed-hockey-card-for-charity/ 

Everybody's favourite Uncle of Rock and Roll would be the title I'd give him.

that was probably the best pub for catching bands back then and yes the Wellington was its name before it became Scherzo
I have a vague notion that the lineup was down the street that night but I may be misundermembering or something

I made it to one local impromptu gig at a pub in kingston but only caught the tail-end.    
I still remember the cheap promotional posters around our highschool promoting The Tragically Hip for one of our dances.  The one cover that is still fresh in my mind was their cover of "Money" which I knew as a Beatles song.
I volunteered to work at Another Roadside Attraction in kingston at richardson stadium in 1993.  I was assigned to mind the artist gate and had to verify credentials.  Gord came to the gate to enter and I acted like I had no idea who he was. 
"I'm in the band. I'm playing." 
I asked for credentials and said I couldn't let him in without proof.
Then I laughed, he laughed.  Chatted briefly and I asked for a smoke.  He gave me one but didn't have a lighter.  He then tore off to the stage at the center of the field.  5 minutes later, I noticed him running back my way.  He returned to light the smoke with a lighter that he'd borrowed.
Swell guy.
 

I made it to one local impromptu gig at a pub in kingston but only caught the tail-end.    
I still remember the cheap promotional posters around our highschool promoting The Tragically Hip for one of our dances.  The one cover that is still fresh in my mind was their cover of "Money" which I knew as a Beatles song.
I volunteered to work at Another Roadside Attraction in kingston at richardson stadium in 1993.  I was assigned to mind the artist gate and had to verify credentials.  Gord came to the gate to enter and I acted like I had no idea who he was. 
"I'm in the band. I'm playing." 
I asked for credentials and said I couldn't let him in without proof.
Then I laughed, he laughed.  Chatted briefly and I asked for a smoke.  He gave me one but didn't have a lighter.  He then tore off to the stage at the center of the field.  5 minutes later, I noticed him running back my way.  He returned to light the smoke with a lighter that he'd borrowed.
Swell guy.
 

Bouche has a great story about getting into Hip shows in bars in Kingston- I think he would've been underage at the time ta boot.
They played our highschool dances a few times, were more of a Doors/Who cover band at the time. I think every Kingstonian has one or at the most, two, degrees of separation from them.

Didn't realize it at the time it would be such a great memory, but seeing them on Canada day 89 in a park in London, ON. There was about 50 people hanging around, though the videos circulating appear to show even less. That was the first time I saw the Hip I believe.
Another Roadside Atrraction Markham, 93. My girlfriend and I got mistaken for other people (I think it was her moreso than me) by someone on MIdnight OIls crew and were invited back stage, by the time it was realized we weren't the right folks, we were told, "well, your here now, enjoy the show" The Hip came on about 15 minutes or so later. Watched the entire show side stage, and Gord was in prime form that day.  Unfortunatley didn't get to meet anyone, from any band that played that day but still an awesome time.

I was at a restaurant in downtown Kingston last June having dinner on the patio before a Bob Dylan concert at K-Rock. I knew that Rob Baker was a regular at the restaurant so it wasn't a complete shock when he walked right behind me, leaving the restaurant. It was, however, a shock to notice that Gord Downie (and Gord Sinclair) were with him. They stopped to linger on the sidewalk and Gord Downie noticed that I had noticed him. 
As I stared with my jaw slightly agape Gord leaned down and put his elbows on the little fence that seperated the patio from the sidewalk. He rested his chin in his hands and smiled, staring at me with a bemused look on his face. I stared and gaped, he stared and smiled. It seemed to last for thirty seconds or more. Eventually he got me: I flinched and looked away. 
When I looked back the three of them had set off down the sidewalk towards the Dylan show, completely unmolested by the throngs of people in the busy streets, all of whom had the respect to treat them the same as everyone else.
It's a wonderful final memory to have of a man I admire so much.

I spent many days for night travelling the US in search of the smallest, coolest club in which to see them and that I could get in to at that time (I was 16 through 18). Although The Hip didn't spend much time hanging around the clubs in the late afternoons following sound checks, The Rheostatics did and they were oh so cool and kind to us wayward hosers. There were more than a few afternoons that we hung around that old Delta 88, scarfing down the remains of the deli trays and cookie platters. I learned about life on those trips, I learned about heroes and I learned about friendship. 
My favourite memory of Gord is from the REM show in 1995 at the Molson Ampitheater. Long after REM had left the stage and the crowd thinned out, I was walking with my brother up through the 200s when I heard my name called out. To this day I still cannot believe that Gord had remembered me, especially amidst a crowd of 1000s, and was saying hello and introducing me to his wife and to Mike Myers (!). That was near the peak of the popularity and he had recalled my name and I will never forget that moment. Neither will my little brother who was 14 at the time. At that moment I had ascended into legendary older brother territory and he got more than a few miles out of that story over the years.
This shot is from the Chameleon Club in Syracuse on Apr 27, 1995:

 
To paraphrase the man himself: We are all richer for having known him.
 

http://www.thehip.com/news/statement/
 

I rented a car to him and Randy once. They were in town for a show at Algonquin.  They rented a compact car I gave them a caddilac for the same price. They were grateful. I asked for an autograph.  He wrote thanks for the caddilac shithawk. Mr Lahey. Rip brother

https://globalnews.ca/news/3806747/actor-john-dunsworth-has-died-at-the-age-of-71/
 
 

Dat wuz good....thanks be to Booche