ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON JULY 20, 1995 By Steve Newton Canadian guitar-rock heroes the Tragically Hip took all of Vancouver by surprise on July 12 when they announced a last-minute concert that night at the wee Railway Club (capacity 176). When word went out over local rock station 99.3 the Fox that 75 wristbands for the … Continue reading The Tragically Hip causes traffic havoc before getting messy with a surprise gig at Vancouver’s wee Railway Club
Tag: Gordon Downie
Album review: The Tragically Hip, Phantom Power (1998)
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, AUG. 20, 1998 By Steve Newton I took my wife, Dawn, to see the Tragically Hip at Thunderbird Stadium last summer when she was seven months pregnant with our first child, Tess Georgia. They say a body is susceptible to sonic vibrations in utero, and I’d have to … Continue reading Album review: The Tragically Hip, Phantom Power (1998)
That time Gord Downie told me that he thought “The Inevitability of Death” was kind of a funny song
By Steve Newton As a freelance writer for the Georgia Straight back in the heyday of the weekly paper, it was highly unusual that I would interview the same artist more than once in the same calendar year. But I did two interviews with Gord Downie in 1995--one in January and another in July--because the … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me that he thought “The Inevitability of Death” was kind of a funny song
That time Gord Downie told me that talking about the Tragically Hip’s new Fully Completely album made him sound like a commercial pitchman
By Steve Newton Back in November of 1992 I did my second interview with Gord Downie, when he called me up to promote the Tragically Hip's new album, Fully Completely, which I firmly believe is their best ever. I started off by observing that it was their most varied album yet, and Downie took it … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me that talking about the Tragically Hip’s new Fully Completely album made him sound like a commercial pitchman
That time Gord Downie told me that the Tragically Hip made Up To Here to fit its own standards
By Steve Newton Back in September of 1989 I did my first interview with the Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie. At the time Downie was just 25, and the band was basking in the recent release of its incredible Up To Here album. At one point in the conversaiton I sorta played the devils' advocate … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me that the Tragically Hip made Up To Here to fit its own standards
That time Gord Downie told me about the new Hip tunes “38 Years Old” and “New Orleans is Sinking”
By Steve Newton You've already heard the bad news, that Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has terminal brain cancer. You may have also heard the good news, that he and his band are dealing with the diagnosis the only way they know how: by rocking it out on a cross-Canada tour that kicks off in … Continue reading That time Gord Downie told me about the new Hip tunes “38 Years Old” and “New Orleans is Sinking”
Gord Downie’s “Inevitability of Death”
By Steve Newton If you're a fan of Canadian music you've already heard the devastating news. Yesterday the country's greatest-ever guitar-rock band, the Tragically Hip, announced on its Facebook page that singer Gord Downie has terminal brain cancer. Canucks from coast to coast were shocked and saddened to hear that one of their most beloved artists was … Continue reading Gord Downie’s “Inevitability of Death”
The Tragically Hip’s frontman goes Fully Completely bonkers in Vancouver
By Steve Newton Gordon Downie is famous for his wacky stage moves and bizarre gestures, but last night (February 6) at Rogers Arena he ramped up the oddness big-time. I've seen the Tragically Hip numerous times over the years, but never witnessed him being quite so wonderfully nutzoid. The fact that it was his 51st … Continue reading The Tragically Hip’s frontman goes Fully Completely bonkers in Vancouver
25-year-old Gordon Downie talks “38 Years Old” on the Tragically Hip’s Up to Here tour
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON OCT. 20, 1989 By Steve Newton What's the most important element in a new band as far as making it in rock goes? Some might say financial backing, although when you look at groups like Kiss or the Sex Pistols it's pretty clear that image and/or hype are as effective as big … Continue reading 25-year-old Gordon Downie talks “38 Years Old” on the Tragically Hip’s Up to Here tour
Gordon Downie thanks Bruce Allen for making the Tragically Hip famous in Vancouver
mike chernoff photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, MARCH 18, 1999 By Steve Newton I’ve always been mightily impressed by the Tragically Hip’s live presentation. It didn’t matter which venue I’d see them in—whether it was the wee Railway Club or sprawling T-Bird Stadium, the classic Commodore or scenic Seabird Island—I always went away … Continue reading Gordon Downie thanks Bruce Allen for making the Tragically Hip famous in Vancouver
Gord Downie sinks the cue ball after the Hip gets a hero’s welcome on the Trouble at the Henhouse tour
kevin statham photo ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON NOV. 14, 1996 By Steve Newton At a private party in Yaletown last Friday (November 8), after the first of three Tragically Hip shows at the Pacific Coliseum, vocalist Gordon Downie leaned determinedly over a pool table to set up what he hoped would be a game-winning shot. He … Continue reading Gord Downie sinks the cue ball after the Hip gets a hero’s welcome on the Trouble at the Henhouse tour
Gordon Downie sees Bruce Allen in a Subway ad at Another Roadside Attraction
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 20, 1995 By Steve Newton The Another Roadside Attraction show at Seabird Island two years ago was one of Gordon Downie’s all-time favourite gigs. The Tragically Hip vocalist told the Georgia Straight recently that it was the natural beauty of the Agassiz location—surrounded by nearby mountains and dense … Continue reading Gordon Downie sees Bruce Allen in a Subway ad at Another Roadside Attraction
Gordon Downie says opening for the Rolling Stones is like being a golf caddy
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, JULY 6, 1995 By Steve Newton In 1995, it’s as if the Tragically Hip can do no wrong. Late last February, the Ontario guitar-rockers played a Pacific Coliseum gig that sold out in 20 minutes flat. Not long after that, you could have flicked on Saturday Night Live and … Continue reading Gordon Downie says opening for the Rolling Stones is like being a golf caddy