Booche

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/ 

Figured this was the best thread to share this.
 

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.
 

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.

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.

How anyone doesnt love how JRAD is bringing our favorites band's music to another level shocks me. Look no further to C-Towns post as they transition from Let It Grow into Running Down A Dream. This is a band who arent writing songs but are killing killer songs while going inside and out of them like I have never heard.
I would tour with these guys if I was a kid........and then you get Johnny Slayer showing up as a guest.....the Dead's music best keep living on
 

How anyone doesnt love how JRAD is bringing our favorites band's music to another level shocks me. Look no further to C-Towns post as they transition from Let It Grow into Running Down A Dream. This is a band who arent writing songs but are killing killer songs while going inside and out of them like I have never heard.
I would tour with these guys if I was a kid........and then you get Johnny Slayer showing up as a guest.....the Dead's music best keep living on
 

Add the info provided on the video (minus the link to a removed video).
 

Aloha,
Brad

pst. I was here.
 
 

NSFW
 

There is a good chance I posted this before but I dont care.
Fuck
You
 
We.Want,Phil.
 
 

Isnt there already a Baker's Dozen thread on this board you can check out?
Personally, I think that is another high-water mark for the band.
I was off and on with them since they came back in 2009. I saw the last show of their summer tour in 2009, saw Finger Lakes in 2010, listened to a pile because I was still a Phish junkie but I was getting close to cutting that chord - so to speak. I figured if I saw one more show that was not doing it for me then I was done but the rescheduled Toronto show brought me back in a little bit and then that fall I saw them in Glens Falls. I was still in. Things were still inconsistent but for my ears, summer 2015 turned the tide and they have been on a slow ascending upswing since then.
My personal belief is because they toured extensively during their first era, making the music a priority while they were young, they fell into a groove they will never find again thanks to age and responsibilities outside of the band. That first shit was nuts. The second wave came about and it's obvious personal demons were affecting them as a unit but they could still pull off some crazy-assed jams at the detriment of the tightness they once had but age was starting to become a factor. The best analogy I can make is the mid 30 year old athlete who once excelled on a nightly basis but you only see that magic from time to time.
Then it was gone.
They came back and we all went crazy but something was not up to par. It took them a long time to get that dinosaur roaring again because they had to figure it out but I believe they are back in business. Obviously things are a little slower now and composed sections will be messed up from time to time thanks to the sheer number of songs they love to throw out at us but a pattern is starting to develop that I am completely on board with. "Give them a big jam" seems to be something they are delivering on an almost nightly basis now since.............I dont know when because I stopped listening to every show but from last fall at Dick's on I have really enjoyed most of what I have heard.
Go into the Baker's Dozen thread, to kind of answer your question, after you watch this amazing madness. I wasnt at this show. I had just gotten home from PEI, crushed three beers and abowl and then this happened........great shit right here RobNotBob - Dick's is coming up again at the end of the month. I strongly recommend you check it out from your couch. They will be offering streams.
 
 
 
 
 

The run is so epic because every show is hot! So many great moments. I love the goofiness throughout the run too, such fun.
Most Events Aren't Planned was pretty awesome.