I am one of the biggest hip fans and have already re watched the concert, one thing that makes me sad and I seem to always notice it is when he looks down at the words. I don't want to notice every time but I do and it seems like he does a lot.
I think it is pretty standard for groups that have this big of a catalogue.
At the second show in Calgary he commented that a girl in the front row knew all the words to all the songs, more of the words than he did.
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I think it is pretty standard for groups that have this big of a catalogue.
At the second show in Calgary he commented that a girl in the front row knew all the words to all the songs, more of the words than he did.
Oh no, he was definitely struggling with lyrics due to the cancer, not sure how you could think otherwise. It's actually not that common for bands with large catalogs to forget words frequently when they're a frequent tour band like the Hip.
But even putting other bands aside, Gord Downy had never frequently missed lyrics, and especially never missed very chorusy lyrics to their most popular songs.
Oh no, he was definitely struggling with lyrics due to the cancer, not sure how you could think otherwise. It's actually not that common for bands with large catalogs to forget words frequently when they're a frequent tour band like the Hip.
But even putting other bands aside, Gord Downy had never frequently missed lyrics, and especially never missed very chorusy lyrics to their most popular songs.
I think you're right and wrong.
I think his treatment and condition is affecting his ability to remember lyrics.
However it is not uncommon for a signer to need a brush up on lyrics for deep cuts and obscure songs that are rarely are played, especially when so many deep cuts were played all tour. Given the fact that Gord appeared to be having issues on even the popular songs that he's presumably played live hundreds, if not thousands, of times.
He may have stumbled on some words and slightly missed the timing (well outside of the bar on several occasions), but he was able to maintain the melody/tune very well. I wonder if that's from a different part of the brain.
I think there were also some physical signs of where the lesion may have been. He definitely had a "sidedness" to the way he moved.
It's on vimeo. just go there and search for tragically hip
Thank you VERY much.
As for the lyrics issue, it's probably a combination of things. Big catalogue, varied setlist across the country, long shows, very active stage presence, and terminally ill. Frankly I'd be confused if he wasn't using lyric monitors.
During the concert I was thinking of the similarities between Gord and Jon Mann from Spirit of the West. Jon has Alzhymers and on their last tour(s) he was aided by the lyrics on an ipad that his bassist would control with foot pedals.
It's a rough year for quality Canadian bands/singers. Gord and Jon both with terminal diseases that put an end to their career and after being around forever RUSH have finally retired from touring. It's a sad year with an end to some of our most well know bands.
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I think it is pretty standard for groups that have this big of a catalogue.
At the second show in Calgary he commented that a girl in the front row knew all the words to all the songs, more of the words than he did.
I vaguely recall back when MuchMusic did the Intimate and Interactive series (2000ish), The Hip was asked to play Cordelia by a fan, and Gord couldn't remember the song, he pulled the guy up and had him start singing it so Gord could remember the lyrics.
So taking about rating is bad, but speculating about the effects Gord's illness is fine and dandy?
Many, many singers screw up the lyrics live. I can't remember the last band I've seen live that DIDN'T screw them up
Now his doctor did say the tumour is in an area responsible for speech for short term memory but away from how lyrical content is stored, but he struggled. I've watched them enough times in concert to know that Gord doesn't typically miss lyrics unless it's an intentional change. Especially on the hits which is what the final concert was. All hits. It was clear from the broadcast he was relying on the teleprompters, struggling at times and he has for the entire tour. So be it. I think it's to be expected. Doesn't take away from what the night was about.
Even with the methylated marker this is a cancer that has a good prognosis (and truth be told I'm not sure the science is completely clear on if that marker is actually predictive of a better response to treatment). Without precisely knowing the stage, type of mutation etc. it is speculation but it seems you are looking at 18 months or less after diagnosis (his doctor mentioned 14.5 months median...not sure if it's for the specific tumour Gord has or the the general cancer itself).
edit: it's the general cancer. If the tumour is removed recurrence is usually 6 to 7 months after. We all hope Gord is on the good side of the median but even so you have a 5 yr survival rate of nearly 0.
Last edited by ernie; 08-23-2016 at 01:56 PM.
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I vaguely recall back when MuchMusic did the Intimate and Interactive series (2000ish), The Hip was asked to play Cordelia by a fan, and Gord couldn't remember the song, he pulled the guy up and had him start singing it so Gord could remember the lyrics.
I remember seeing that but I dont think it was because Gord couldnt remember the song, it was because the guy was down front singing to everything. Fan knew all the words and when he pulled him up, that fan could sing too. like really well and Gord joked about losing his job.
I remember seeing that but I dont think it was because Gord couldnt remember the song, it was because the guy was down front singing to everything. Fan knew all the words and when he pulled him up, that fan could sing too. like really well and Gord joked about losing his job.
Luder's recollection is correct. Cordelia was requested by the guy and Gord said he forgot the lyrics and the rest happened.
Luder's recollection is correct. Cordelia was requested by the guy and Gord said he forgot the lyrics and the rest happened.
I remember this vividly, and remember trying to look for footage of this years ago but could never find it. Gave it another shot after reading these posts, and found it. Starts at 7 minutes.
This entire intimate and interactive is fantastic
Last edited by newts; 08-23-2016 at 10:36 PM.
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It was tough to watch Downie miss a word or a cue here and there. Maybe he was able to take a bit of comfort in thousands of fans carrying him over the gaps? That said, Downie's known for ad libbing, improvising, ranting, raving, and falling down and blaming it on the mic stand. Hard to tell what's accidental or intentional with him. I'm glad he didn't do the falling down thing. That would have horrified folks. Grace Too was hard enough as it was.
That vimeo version is awesome btw. Wonder how long it lasts.
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That vimeo version is awesome btw. Wonder how long it lasts.
hopefully a long time. download it just in case.
youtube is big so it gets noticed and stuff is taken down.
vimeo and dailymotion is smaller and kind of the wild wild west of videoharing nobody notices
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