Gord was one of a kind, a man of love for his people and all those that could ever call themselves Canadian whether by birth, situation or choice. He's one of the few celebrities who truly did good with the time they were given and one of the few Canadians in history that can truly be looked back on with pride. he brought music, love and understanding to many and used his remaining time to shed light on the injustices and indifference suffered between the indigenous and traditionally white cultures of Canada. he's right up there with Terry fox and his marathon of hope and Michael J. Fox with his parkinsons research. three of my favourite Canadians, who turned their tragic afflictions into rays of light and hope for the masses of ordinary people sharing the same bleak outlooks on their futures.
"It was in BobCaygeon, I saw the constellations, reveal themselves one star at a time. That line tears at my heart. I have watched, many times, the constellations reveal themselves just like that and it never fails to move me. RIP Gordie.
Oh how we miss him. 😢 I came of age with The Hip. Great memories of their live shows in TO. They were definitely a Canadian staple around a campfire during summer back in the day. Thank you John. For taking the time to acknowledge our nation. Canada on the world stage has always been treated like the Gen X of countries so to say. Left to our own accord and pretty much ignored. So happy that your enjoying our national treasure 🎼. Take care.
I am so very much. Living in a border state to Canada and having educated parents who remember what Canada had done for us with the Iranian hosting crisis, I have always known and appreciated your nation. My parents made a point to bring us across the border into Québec for a few days as kids while vacationing in Northern Ny and Vermont. Tow times. I have had a positive view of Canada form my parents view of Canada since I was a kid. My dad said there were a few Canadian volunteers in his army basic training during Vietnam. He was so impressed they some joined us but also, at the same time respected that the Canadian Govt. didn’t want any to be in the war and welcomed our draft defectors. Anyway. I am rambling. I have loved this journey I have been in and I appreciate you all immensely
I can't watch or listen without tears. The man was so loved because he just exuded so much love. So much caring. The thirst for justice, for understanding, for what is right. And he was grateful for the opportunity he was afforded by his art, his band, his platform. He was determined not to waste it. I think Gord personified what we would all hope to be. #EveryChildMatters #mmiwg2s #NoMoreStolenSisters
We come to comment sections like this and we will no doubt witness genuine goodness like what you are displaying in your words. The emotions are contagious. It warms my heart to be part of this cohesive collective of beautiful people. Virtual hugs and kisses to you and every other good person here. Let's all do good together. ❤️
I think you were born to be a Canadian. You get us. You have a great understanding of all that you learn about us, and it's more than just learning. You actually feel and embrace things the way we do. You need to come and meet some of us, in person, and experience it for real.🇨🇦
I feel the same. I have been to Canada a number of time, only to Ontario and Quebec provinces. I have known Canadians here in the States too, but I do believe I have a much different understanding and appreciation now. So I think it will feel different next time we go. Trying to plan a trip for the spring or summer.
I cannot thank you enough. I really can't. The Tragically Hip means so much to so many people. Please do more on the songs and the band. I had a teardrop in my eye the moment your segment started until the end. Thank you very very much
Gord Downie and " The Secret Path " project, imagine how many people he could have helped with reconciliation if he was still with us. He always talked about the subjects Canada as a country wanted to gloss over. What a legend !
He did help so many and the Downie Wenjack Foundation does that. But you are right his legacy and work must be carried on. Him and Jack Layton truly cared for and about people.
Gord definitely has helped. This country has turned in the right direction and is changing for, what I believe to be, the better. Yes we still drop the ball too many times than I would like but it is on the right course. The biggest change has yet to come because it’s the younger generations, the ones being more aware of where we need to be. The future really is with them. Like Gord said, it’s the next 150 yrs that will count. I hope North America can make it there as one.
I live in Bobcaygeon, a small town in the Kawartha lakes region, north east of Toronto. It is a beautiful town of 4 or 5000 people, between Pigeon and Sturgeon lakes. The population increases in the summer due to people who own vacation properties. We are so honoured for our town to be named in this song.
Thank you for doing this song. I love it. There's a lot of hidden meaning because there are some pretty obscure lyrics. It's ultimately about a man wanting to escape the terrible things he was seeing around him and take refuge in his lover's arms in a small, quiet town. A lot of the racial tension that was happening in the States during the 90s (like the LA riots) was happening on a smaller scale in some places in Canada. There was a riot in 1993 between the Heritage Front and an anti-racist group. This was the band's take on it. The riot reference could be a triple: - the above - the Christie Pits riots in Toronto in 1933 (it broke out during a baseball game. One of the teams was made up of mostly Jewish people and some a-hole rooting for the Christian team hung a swastika in the stands. They cleared the stands and battled for about 6 hours, using whatever weapons they could find. - the reference to The Men They Couldn't Hang is to a British punk rock anti-racism band. One of the songs they played at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto (with checkerboard floors) was about race riots that broke out in London in the 30s. Gord was brilliant and frequently changed his stories to keep people entertained (and probably guessing). In the video, his lover is indigenous. Sometimes in concerts it was about a couple of gay cops. He was against oppression so much that he included every group experiencing it. He wanted everyone to be happy. He was particularly interested in helping the indigenous get a platform. Nautical Disaster is very good too. If you want another iconic Canadian band to listen to, try Blue Rodeo. The songs Try, Rain Down on Me, Lost Together, and Bad Timing are some of my personal favourites.
Thanks so much for these details. It’s great. Love it even more now. Been thinking a lot about the lyric “it was in Bobcaygeon, I saw the constellations, reveal themselves one star at a time” in comparison to what he sang about the grey obscured sky he saw out the window of his room in the city. Bobcaygeon was the place where he saw life and love as simple and not complicated by the bigotry and other crap in the wider world.
Yes please to BLUE RODEO! ❤❤❤. Rose Coloured Glasses, Til I am Myself Again, Lost Together, Bad Timing, Rain Down on Me, Fools Like You (Political and Indigenous)
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 have you checked out Rick Mercer, who used to be on This Hour Has 22 minutes, he has a couple of great videos Talking To Americans, where he mentions Peters Mans Bridge 😂
I honestly want to thank you very much. Very insightful comments . Also, thank you for mentioning Blue Rodeo. I am a stagehand in Calgary and those are the two bands I set up their gear and run Spotlight for. I just want to say thank you very much
The Hip meant so much to so many of us. It's great to see their music still touching lives. It was great of you to do this. If you haven't listened to these yet, So Hard Done By and New Orleans is Sinking are just a couple of many great Hip songs.
John, you are an amazing, beautiful man!! I love how you're able to be emotional and just own it, as you should!! Your child(ren) are very fortunate!! Thank you for this!! Gord was an incredible man!!!
Wow thanks for this really kind reaction. The older I get the more comfortable I’ve become about expressing my feelings and emotions. I think being a dad is a big part of it. But getting to know Gord while at the same time knowing he died 6 years ago is a strange feeling. It makes me sad to see such a beautiful human taken too early.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 You’re so right on!! We got to see him, once,at a festival we have each summer. He did music from his indigenous project! Amazing!! He certainly is another Canadian treasure and he’s greatly missed here and, I’m guessing, in many places around the world!! I bet you and he would have been great friends if you’d met!! You have a similar heart!!! Aging isn’t all bad, is it!?!
As a fellow John, a canuck and a "Hip"ster I will say Mr Canada was one of a kind. No other musician, that I am aware of, has stopped their concert, final concert at that, and called out the sitting prime minister and told them the first nations' issues are now on their hands. He was and still is our nation's story teller. Thank you for the coverage.
Thanks for diving into our Hip and Gord’s ultimate work. The Hip were the soundtrack of my high school and college years. I’ve seen them live about 9 times but the atmosphere in the stadium in those last live concerts is something I will never forget. I felt one with all Canadians. He was unique and everyone who loved him needs to help carry on his final work. We should all reread the truth and reconciliation commission recommendations and do what we can where we are. ❤️🇨🇦
The story I've heard most often about Bobcaygeon is that it is based on the true story of a cop in Toronto who quit after having to perform riot control at a clash between facists and anti-facists -- being forced to be neutral meant also providing protection to the facists. Which he couldn't take given the relationship he was in. in the video it is with a native woman, but apparently it may have actually been a gay relationship with another cop in Bobcaygeon. He alludes to the band The Men They Couldn't Hang whose song "Ghost of Cable Street" is also about clashes between facists and anti-facists (the checkered floor refers to the Horsehoe Tavern where they played in Toronto). A clash between the Heritage Front and Anti-Racist Action took place a few years before the song came out. The clear skies and constellations in Bobcaygeon vs the "hypothetical" sky in Toronto reflects the narrator's clarity of mind and direction.
We tuned in because The Hip we’re intricately connected to us. The joy, the depth and the quality of their music yes, but they meant so much more. They were about sitting by a campfire with your friends, driving in your car across the prairies, having a beer on the dock with a loon singing in the distance…and then to realize Gord was on his final days as my hair became greyer and my health deteriorated as well. Their music connects with my core. What a band, what a man.
I think most of Canada watched that concert. Even my 80 year old MIL watched it with my SIL, her sister, my daughter, nieces, nephews, along with me. Epic. We all sang along together. 🇨🇦🎶
I tuned in out of respect. I was lucky to be a teen in the 80s/90s. This band had a huge impact on our generation. I saw them at Molson Park in Barrie with about 50,000 others and also front row at Massey Hall in a more intimate setting. Life long memories. They were always with us at the cottage or on a road trip. Made us proud to be Canadian. Thanks for showing respect to the greatest Canadian band and to Gord Downie ❤
OMG. That was so emotional. The entire last year of performances by The Hip were amazing, thoughtful, soul-searching and memorable. R.I.P. Gord. Canada misses you and we will never forget. Thanks also to Peter Mansbridge for doing what only he could do. Thanks John for this. I thought I had cried enough at the last performance in Kingston but discovered more tears. Appreciate what you do and love your channel. Feel a kinship. 👏👏🇨🇦🇨🇦
I'm glad you dug a little deeper into Gord, and what he did with his remaining months. And as a Canadian, I'm sure he knew of Terry Fox. We all do. I(Our elementary and high schools have Terry Fox runs every year in aid of cancer research), don't think Gord was inspired by Terry though; Gord was just another really good Canadian. Cheers from north of the 49th.PS Gord was made an honourary member of First Nations; look that up. It's very touching. RIP Man Who Walks Among The Stars.
I was at one of the last shows in Vancouver, it was an intensely emotional show, it was fabulous. In a way, it was a very Canadian ending. 🥰😁☺I love that you got so into them, their talent, creativity and consistency is without compare. And why did we tune in, that last summer, especially? Because we love him and the whole band and wanted to see all we could, knowing it was the last summer. 🥲
Gord was our latest version of the "National Poet". We have had a few who tapped into the Canadian Zeitgeist. But Downie was that man for this era. He woke people up to our history and past and did it in a way some would have never thought about it until they heard the Hip. Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, the Guess Who to a lesser extent. They all sort of tapped into the Canadian roots in some of their songs. But no one was quite like Gord. He mined it hard...and did it in a way that didn't translate to American audiences or anyone else. In reality, he and the boys didn't even try. They wanted to tell stories to Canadians and didn't give a flying fadoo about the rest of it. Bobcaygeon is a love song....but I hear it and I can hear the quiet...the lake .. the sound of a screen door on a cottage ...it is unlike most of their more driving rock sounds.
As a Canadian and hip fan for 30 plus years I love your appreciation and efforts to understand this great band of ours and our great Canadian nation in general. Growing up in Montreal in the 80s and 90s, my older sister and I used to have music wars through the walls. We never agreed on music, until the hip came along. The first band we both loved equally. The first live concerts we actually went to together. in our teenage years when sibling rivalry was at its peak the Hip came along and made everything better. Just another small story about the magic of this band. ps this machine kills fascists first appeared many years ago on Woodie Guthrie's guitar and has been emulated by many since, like Billy Bragg and of course Rob Baker.
Thanks for this great personal story about how this band brought you and your sis closer. Love it. Based on your avatar, is it right to assume you play guitar?
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 I'm a musician and music teacher and need to know lots of instruments but guitar is my primary instrument. While I have you here, have you heard of the Weakerthans? Another great Canadian band, lesser known than the hip, but just so incredible and definitely worthy of a reaction. Here's a little documentary about them: ruclips.net/video/7i45NwDCcTg/видео.html
Hey John, excellent video. Heartfelt, insightful & sincere...thank you ☺️ BTW, you sound like one of us Canucks 😄🇨🇦 Oh, I had once shared a can of Canada Dry ginger ale with Peter Mansbridge on a smaller Air Canada plane from Connecticut to Toronto and had a nice convo with him 😄
During that time and before We we're doing everything we could to support my son who also had a brain tumor of the same type. My son lived for three years after his diagnosis. He passed in 2017 at the age of 30 years old.
Im so very sorry, glioblastoma is a beast. My daughter went through 3+ years of chemo but had a kinder cancer that let her live. Watching this must have been very bittersweet for you, hugs.
John thanks for doing this video. As a Canadian born in the 70’s, I grew up around many a camp fire drinking beers and listening to the Hip. It was the unofficial anthem of being a Canadian kid in the 90’s and 2000’s. Unless you lived it, it’s impossible to try and explain just how much the Hip were woven into the tapestry of the Canadian experience… but it means a lot that you would even try 👍🏻🇨🇦 PS - Ontario cottage country in the summertime (Bobcaygeon) can not be beat.
You forgot to mention their work from the 80s with hits like Blow at High dough. I was in high school when they started and went to see them everytime they came to town (grew up in Saskatoon) . Their greatest hits album from 1989 is amazing for a sampling of the Hips earliest works if you're interested John. You will not be disappointed
Gord's 'First Avenue' baseball cap: 701 North 'First Avenue' would become the concert venue most associated with Prince and is an iconic Minneapolis landmark as a result. Its facilities comprise of two concert rooms, the Mainroom offering capacity for 1,500, and a smaller venue accessed on 7th Street and thereby named 7th St Entry, with capacity for 250. In 1981 the club’s talent booker Steve McClellan booked Prince to play Sam’s, securing the upcoming star with a fee of $2,500. Prince performed that show to a capacity audience on 9 March 1981, powering through a 95-min set as part of his Dirty Mind Tour. First Avenue became a regular haunt for Prince throughout the 1980s, staging a total of nine concerts at the venue, plus two guest appearances at the adjoining 7th St Entry. The Mainroom became famous of course as the principal location for the movie Purple Rain, its filming taking place at the venue throughout November and December 1983. In honour of the vast array of talent who performed at 'First Avenue' over the years, which in addition to Prince include U2 - playing the Boy Tour and writing part of October there in 1982, Ramones, Nirvana, Tina Turner, Run DMC, David Byrne and of course The Time, in 1990 a tradition was begun to paint silver stars roll-calling the names of visiting performers on First Avenue’s exterior walls. A total of 531 such stars have been so painted. Prince’s star, located in prime position on the right of the club’s main entrance, was mysteriously repainted gold during the night of 3 May 2016 in the wake of his death that April. First Avenue celebrated its 50th birthday on 3 April 2020 and remains one of the longest surviving independent live music establishments in America.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 Many Canadians consider the State of Minnesota to be an honorary Canadian province as it's the mecca of American hockey culture. Gord was also a huge advocate for 'independently owned' music venues. The twin venue to First Avenue in Canada is The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. Gord writes about The Horseshoe in the song Bobcaygeon ... 'That night in Toronto, with it's checkerboard floors" is a reference to the dance floor at the Horseshoe Tavern. Stompin' Tom Connors also helped to make the Horseshoe Tavern an iconic venue for local independent artists/musicians back in the 60's/70's. In many ways, Gord was a modern extension to grassroots Stompin Tom. Albeit different styles, both poetically wrote about Canadian culture. Another huge icon to Gord was the Canadian poet Al Purdy. Gord actually did a poetic tribute video to A.P many years ago called "At The Quinte Hotel". It's really fantastic!! Gord's creative tribute to the 'The POET'! Here's the link ruclips.net/video/R1dc9OaS8GU/видео.html... Enjoy!!
Bobcaygeon has been and will always be my favourite Tragically Hip song. Growing up my family had a trailer/cottage on Buckhorn Lake just a short boat ride from there. It's such a beautiful, friendly town and as a kid the locks were just so fascinating to watch! "the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time." -Gord Downie RIP
You’re correct about why we wanted to go see the final tour. We just wanted to see him one last time and show him our love. I was there at the Vancouver show. It was emotional and beautiful at the same time. I’m glad the world is slowly discovering them through people like yourself but ultimately they will always belong to us ❤
JOHN!! Jamming on the skins to "Bobcaygeon" in the intro AND wearing a Hip T-Shirt for the video? Ok, honorary Canuck status granted!! Lol. I just worry I may have created a monster. Lmao. I really hope I haven't subjected you to a new addiction. Honestly though, as far as addictions go, you could definitely do a lot worse than The Hip. I will admit when I suggested "38 Years Old" just knowing you were already a Rush fan and you were partial to Gordon Lightfoot that I had more than a sneaking suspicion The Hip would resonate with you. Again my brother, sorry (but not sorry) for leading you down this rabbit hole. Lol.
I proud to accept the title of honorary Canadian. And I will ware my Hip shirt with the maple leaf flag on it with pride. And yessir, you created a Hip monster for sure. Lol. I am really loving it for all the reasons I said in my intro. I did listed to 38 Years Old by the way. Very powerful. It’s also one that I was able to just sit and pay attention to the lyrics. I love Gord’s voice in it too. Not sorry at all you turned me on the them. Can’t thank you enough.
Came across channel by accident and I’m really enjoying. You’re going to get alot of comments about The Hips song , Wheat Kings . You want Canadian history in a song. That’s the one. And happened in my hometown. Cheers from Saskatoon , Saskatchewan
I was 12 or 13 when Up to Here was released. I had heard last American Exit and a few others from the first album but Up to Here was a game changer. It was so bluesy and rocking. It held your ear instantly. The Hip were a band that didn't sound like anyone. If you heard a Hip song you instantly knew it was them. I grew up with that sound. It was there at my many jobs, it was at every arena, HS football game, camping trip, bush party, and social gathering. You heard it at the beach, the curling rink, and just about every vehicle I ever drove in. It was engraved in our Canadian culture. I wasn't ready to say goodbye. I'm heartbroken that I will never take my 2 teenage boys to see them live(I have seen them 6 times). They truly were a once in a lifetime band for Canadians. We don't honk our own horns and wave our flag very often but the Hip seemed to understand us and make it ok to be proud of our little country. There will never be another band as important to most Canadians but I feel very fortunate to experience the whole Hip ride. As heartbreaking as it has been it was worth every minute! R.I.P Gord!
Multiple people have now said they were a band they listen to around the campfire. It paints such a cool picture for me and I think I would really have enjoyed that.
@linzzyy yeah! Highway Girl, I'm a werewolf baby!, small-town bring down. Just the beginning. A little rough but the seed was there. And it got them on Muchmusic
I am so happy that you have embraced Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip. This man and this band so epitomize what we as Canadians hope to become, as a people, as a culture, as a Nation! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings John.🇨🇦
Oh, I'm so glad you're reacting to Bobcaygeon! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Edit: Oh damn. I didn't know you were going to dive this deep. I said I wouldn't cry... But I'm crying.
Great stuff. "This machine kills fascists" is indeed what it says on Rob's guitar - it's what the great American songwriter Woody Guthrie had scrawled on his guitar during his heyday.
It always warms my heart to see a new born hip fan. The tragically hip is the perfect example of a band being more than just the sum of its parts. It isn't about being the best singer or the best guitar player, it's about bringing a country together and aiming for something greater.... The hip will always be a huge part of Canadian history
Every time I pass the turn off to Bobcaygeon, I can't help but get this song stuck in my head. That said, it's hard to explain the scope of feelings I get when I think of The Tragically Hip... They were formed they year I was born, so I grew up buying their albums and listening to their songs. As far as I knew, they were always around and would always be around. Then as I grew up, what were catchy tunes when I was younger, grew up into meaningful songs. Certain songs hit differently when you have more context and life experience. Finally comes the hard news about Gord's diagnosis. You think to yourself, it's not good, but it still doesn't feel real. You delude yourself (or at least I did) that the news isn't good, but somehow things will work out. That's until the final concert makes it all really sink in. You're watching it, everyone you know is watching it, and you know you are watching something incredibly special, but heartbreaking at the same time. The world stops and for a short period of time a nation comes together. RIP Gord, you were a true legend.
"Certain songs hit differently when you have more context and life experience." So true. John, if you see this, pick up "Yer Favourites" double CD for a broad experience of The HIP.
Well done on the drums. I live 15 KM from the 100th Meridian, here in Brandon Manitoba. Big country, small population. Our history is vast. But our military history is so underrated. As much as our music.
Bobcaygeon is a song that if I hear it, I’ll stop and listen. There’s just something about it that’s just sad and beautiful but… beyond words. I grew up with the Hip because my mom loved them, and I had the very great privilege of seeing them live three times. It really was something else. You couldn’t take your eyes off of Gord onstage In your travels, check out a song Gord did with City & Colour called Sleeping Sickness. So good
@John F - American Reacts UK, AU, CA, NZ I would also suggest, if you haven't already, check out City and Colour with Sarah Harmer at the 2018 JUNOs. They do a wonderful cover Bobcaygeon.
@@bullzeyejutzi YES. That ruined me. I got to see City and Colour perform in Calgary ages ago. The Hip were closing the night, and Gord came onstage to sing Sleeping Sickness live with Dallas for the first time. (There’s video of it, the quality’s not great but you can still feel the electricity of the crowd.)
Huge respect to your understanding of how important this was so for many Canadians. Love that you learned the drums for Bobcaygeon. Mad respect to you! My wife is not from Canada, but when I met her in 1990 I introduced her, and she became a hardcore fan. Saw them a number of times - one time with only 25 people in a small club in Munich; othertimes with 25000 at outdoor concerts. Thanks for your truth and honesty.
25 people in a club in Munich must have been so intimate and cool. Then also to see them with the energy of 25,000 fans. Amazing. There have been a few American fans commenting how they saw them in small 1,000 people venues in the US. I’m so bummed I missed it all.
What a fantastic video !! This was a true real reaction to not only "Bobcagyon" the song, but Gord Downie as well. When you had to take a minute, I did also. I still miss him and his influence so much ! He was creative, quirky, and a real heartfelt thinking human. The song " Wheat Kings " by the Hip ( my favorite ) is about David Milgard, a man imprisoned for 26 years for a crime ( in my city Winnipeg ) he did not commit. It is worth a listen, or several !! Great shirt, BTW !!!
Thanks so much. I do believe I’m understanding it in some small measure. And it’s weird, but as I fall in love with this band, it’s like they exist now for me and yet, I’m experiences these documentaries and all of your reactions from Canada and feel almost a sense of mourning myself, knowing the final outcome that has already happened.
I didn’t get to see them live on their last tour but I had the pleasure of seeing them live at least a dozen times over the year’s. I live in a small town and the last concert from Kingston, ON was lived streamed onto a big screen in our biggest park.
From the city, now live ten minutes north of Bobcaygeon. Daughter moved to Bobcaygeon. Our other two kids in Toronto come here frequently. Know why the Hip loves it.
Your reference about Gord Downie and Eddie Vedder did not escape me. The fact that the two of them, from different countries, entertained us with their talent of music, they were bastions of bringing history and a painful awareness of the world around them and how it formed them and all the rest of us of that exact age. 1964 produced so many children who went on to bring this to the world, including Downie, Vedder, Tracey Chapman and so many more. That last year of the "Baby-boomers" really epitomized the difference between the older of this Gen and them, leading to precursor of GenX in a huge way. May we never lose what these people gave to the world as reflection and warning to the younger ones.
Love the Hip content! Keep digging so worth it. Maybe react to a Hip live performance before Gord got sick. He and the band are amazing and so underrated.
The Hip were Canada's guilty pleasure, that we selfishly kept to ourselves. Gordon should be named Canada's poet laureate posthumously, if he hasn't been already.
I was in Kingston, Ontario a few years ago, where the Hip are from. My cab driver was driving me downtown and he said "Oh, there's Gord Downey, of the Hip". Gord was just walking down the street with some of his friends and the cab driver had nothing but good things to say about him and the rest of the band. He said they are all down to earth guys and if they knew you they would say something to you. If they didn't know you, they would say "hello".
RIP Gord Downie. Dundas Square..Toronto council voted to change and named for you Gord Downie Square. I will be visiting this summer. This is a really proud Canadian moment. Koodoos to the city of Toronto for giving Gord his honors ❤ I tuned in because I genuinely loved the Hip and I had to see Gord. We genuinely loved him 😢😢❤❤
I live about 20 minutes from Bobcaygeon. Always have loved that song and The Hip in general. Even went to their last concert in Toronto. Love all of your Canadian content!
Change/Charlie was Anishinaabe from Marten Falls First Nation on the Albany River. The residential school he attended was 400 km west. I’m also Anishinaabe and have had family members who survived residential school. I was so glad to see Gord consult with the family. So much has bee done to us or about us without us. Systemic racism is alive and well in our institutions but orgs like the Donnie/Wenjack Foundation are trying to bring awareness tho the Truth and Reconciliation 94 Calls to Action.
I was blessed to see The Hip in concert twice. Once opening for The Rolling Stones and once as the headliners. I watched the final show on TV with the rest of the country. They didn't have any shows down my way for their last tour, but even if they had, I would have proudly watched that final show. It wasn't a morbid curiosity, there might have been a few, non fans, who did. I believe us fans, watched because we loved Gord and The Hip so much and we just wanted to really take in one more moment with them. Make it a moment to remember. To me, that concert will always be one of those, where were you when, moments.
Since I didn't see any answer for your question per Wikipedia: Chanie "Charlie" Wenjack (January 19, 1954 - October 23, 1966) was an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) First Nations boy who ran away from Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School, where he boarded for three years in Kenora, Ontario, Canada.
I was born in 84. I grew up listening to The Hip, and absolutely love their music. Adored Gord Downey for his for bringing to light some socially taboo topics. I did absolutely watch the final concert, and shed a couple tears knowing that was it. If you haven't heard it. Listen to "Wheat Kings", pay attention to the lyrics. It's about a 16 year old accused of murdering a women in Saskatchewan, that served 28 years (if I remember correctly) before he was proven innocent. Gord Downey was an absolute treasure of a man. RIP.
Love all their music so much. They weren't afraid to take a stand when needed. I live south-east of Bobcaygeon but the view at the beginning of the song could have been shot from my front door. The lake I'm on is about 3 miles across and part of the same water system.
John when I watch a video of yours I always walk away more enlightened, but maybe more importantly I walk away with a better understanding. Thank you!.
This video made my week. Thank you so much. You are a beautiful, deep soul. Honestly, those who SEE *this*, FEEL *this*, and , GET *this*, are “our” people. Doesn’t matter what country you are from. Borders are imagined. We are united as one humanity. THANK YOU.
Fully Completely was on constant replay in my room in highschool. The last concert I saw was a couple years before they announced Gord's diagnosis. It was an outdoor summer concert, Gord was on point, lots of willy nelson passed around and there were firefly's hovering around over the crowd, it was magical.
The “This Machine Kills Fascists” on the guitar is the same quote that Woody Guthrie had on his guitar in the 1940s (you know him by the satirical patriotic song “This Land Is Your Land”). It’s basically saying music is protest.
Wow great intro with your cover on the drums. Really enjoyed that! Love the ride cymbal work. Bobcaygeon is a favorite of mine. Thanks for choosing this song to react to.
Gord connected with the fans, and he exuded his inner self and his love of his fans/country when he performed. You could readily see it with his words and actions.
Thank you...Canadian sipping morning coffee will alwatys click on Bobcaygeon. I miss the Hip. This speaks to me on so many levels. I have been to the area. I too travelled from a difficult job to see my beloved before we married. I have been a northeern nurse and seen the conditions and the residential school trauma. I am Jewish and the rise of fascism is once a gain a problem. In the arms of your love with the constellations you recover and go on.
I truly hope Gord never believed anyone followed of watch that last tour with morbid curiosity. I KNOW in my heart the country followed and watched because he and they were a cultural phenomenon and like you said, we knew it was the last shows. It would be ending. Not a vanity “farewell, for now” but a true closing. We wanted to say goodbye, say we love you, say thank you. And we wanted to do it together, as a nation. It is rare that you get that chance. Thank you for sharing Gord and the Boys outside our boarders. And welcome to the family. 🇨🇦🇺🇸
That last concert must have been so amazing and emotional. It’s weird because I quickly fell in love with the Hip and Gord while at the same time realizing he died 6 years ago and I feel like I’m mourning him as I’m discovering him at the same time. Mixed emotions.
I understand that. He had a very short life but his sincere heart was wide-reaching. I first started listening to the Hip because one of his band mates was a High School classmate for a short time (Quebec City). We all wanted to support them of course in the beginning. For me, their sound and poetic storytelling turned me into a lifelong fan ❤@@johnf-americanreacts1287
Love that you're not leaving the Hip. As you now know they are the heart of Canada. BTW Love your Hip shirt!! As soon as the Peter M show began the tears are rolling down my cheeks already (even though i've seen this a dozen times). I suggest, if you haven't, to watch the whole Long time running. (if nothing else it will help teach you about the geography of Canada, lol) We were 100% racist in the past and though there's still some of it I don't think most of us are racist today, we're just ignorant. I grew up very near a residential school (in Saskatchewan) but had no clue what it was or what atrocities were going on there; we certainly didn't learn about it in school (it's super disgusting when you consider they didn't close the last one until 1996/97). I've been a Hip fan since high school (the '80s) and have seen them in concert over a dozen times including their last concert in Kingston (man that was an experience). If you're interesting hearing some of their earlier works (and some of their huge hits) check out their Best of cd from 1989; every track is a deserving classic In Gord we trust!
There are countless examples of many people being inspired by one person. Gord is no exception. Moreover, he was a shining example of the values we should all aspire to. His love and legacy shall live on infinitely.
Omg I have never been so happy to see you become a Hip fan. I was raised on the classical rock and iconic 🇨🇦 music. Bobcaygeon and every single song and album even the concept albums are all worth it. Additionally his work in the reconciliation acts in Canada for his indigenous support and efforts to bring awareness to our murdered indigenous girls and women. He was not just a celebrity singer songwriter he was activism and a true humanitarian.
He was indeed. I have had real mixed emotions of becoming a fan of the band and of the man while realizing he died 5 years ago and experiencing his last year. It’s really bittersweet
Great loss, and such ambassador for his cause. The similarities between Gord and another Canadian musician John Mann ( Spirt of the west) are endless. John suffered from early-onset Alzheimer's first diagnosed at 50. Like Gord, he used his platform to raise awareness. John performed as long as he could, his band actually had an ipad set up, and the bass player hooked it up to a foot pedal to turn the pages so John could sing the now forgotten lyrics. A few months before his death, dozens of musicians from across Canada did a tribute / benefit for John, to see him on stage, probably not realizing just what was taking place, but just dancing and having a great time through the power of music still brings me to tears..
I absolutely love that it took you no time at all to fall in love with the music and buy official merch. Thanks for taking time to learn about about a couple of friends who play some garage music!
Why we tuned in? Because they are The Hip. Around bon fires, and basement jams with beers and guitars and the whole room singing songs that defined who were as friends, as Canadians, as people on those nights when The Hip made everything just a little bit better. We connect, there's a love connection, a soul connection that sets aside attitude and conflict to embrace something we all recognize in each other...our common humanity and history good and bad
I had the privilege of seeing The Hip in Cajon in concert They were such a special part of Canadas fabric🇨🇦
Gord was one of a kind, a man of love for his people and all those that could ever call themselves Canadian whether by birth, situation or choice. He's one of the few celebrities who truly did good with the time they were given and one of the few Canadians in history that can truly be looked back on with pride. he brought music, love and understanding to many and used his remaining time to shed light on the injustices and indifference suffered between the indigenous and traditionally white cultures of Canada. he's right up there with Terry fox and his marathon of hope and Michael J. Fox with his parkinsons research. three of my favourite Canadians, who turned their tragic afflictions into rays of light and hope for the masses of ordinary people sharing the same bleak outlooks on their futures.
Great that you mentioned Michael J Fox. Beloved in the US as well.
canadians is spelt Canadians, other wise a good comment
@@glennjones1624 Thanks for the point out, comment edited!
@@glennjones1624 'Other wise' is one word but otherwise, a good comment...
"It was in BobCaygeon, I saw the constellations, reveal themselves one star at a time.
That line tears at my heart. I have watched, many times, the constellations reveal themselves just like that and it never fails to move me.
RIP Gordie.
This has become my absolutely favourite track by The Hip.
Oh how we miss him. 😢
I came of age with The Hip. Great memories of their live shows in TO. They were definitely a Canadian staple around a campfire during summer back in the day. Thank you John. For taking the time to acknowledge our nation. Canada on the world stage has always been treated like the Gen X of countries so to say. Left to our own accord and pretty much ignored. So happy that your enjoying our national treasure 🎼. Take care.
I am so very much. Living in a border state to Canada and having educated parents who remember what Canada had done for us with the Iranian hosting crisis, I have always known and appreciated your nation. My parents made a point to bring us across the border into Québec for a few days as kids while vacationing in Northern Ny and Vermont. Tow times. I have had a positive view of Canada form my parents view of Canada since I was a kid. My dad said there were a few Canadian volunteers in his army basic training during Vietnam. He was so impressed they some joined us but also, at the same time respected that the Canadian Govt. didn’t want any to be in the war and welcomed our draft defectors. Anyway. I am rambling. I have loved this journey I have been in and I appreciate you all immensely
I can't watch or listen without tears. The man was so loved because he just exuded so much love. So much caring. The thirst for justice, for understanding, for what is right. And he was grateful for the opportunity he was afforded by his art, his band, his platform. He was determined not to waste it. I think Gord personified what we would all hope to be. #EveryChildMatters #mmiwg2s #NoMoreStolenSisters
We come to comment sections like this and we will no doubt witness genuine goodness like what you are displaying in your words. The emotions are contagious. It warms my heart to be part of this cohesive collective of beautiful people. Virtual hugs and kisses to you and every other good person here. Let's all do good together. ❤️
Here I am ugly crying, sharing in this with so many other Canadians. Gord was such a beautiful human. He made us better.
I think you were born to be a Canadian. You get us. You have a great understanding of all that you learn about us, and it's more than just learning. You actually feel and embrace things the way we do. You need to come and meet some of us, in person, and experience it for real.🇨🇦
I feel the same. I have been to Canada a number of time, only to Ontario and Quebec provinces. I have known Canadians here in the States too, but I do believe I have a much different understanding and appreciation now. So I think it will feel different next time we go. Trying to plan a trip for the spring or summer.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 you need to come west to the praries!
Second that ^ lake Louise is probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid eyes on. The pics online don’t do it Justice!
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 come to the east coast new Brunswick nova scotia prince edward island you can cover a lot of ground in s few days
@@markpro8039 he should get Screeched in.
Most Americans will never understand our relationship with The Hip, so I commend you.
I cannot thank you enough.
I really can't. The Tragically Hip means so much to so many people.
Please do more on the songs and the band. I had a teardrop in my eye the moment your segment started until the end. Thank you very very much
Gord Downie and " The Secret Path " project, imagine how many people he could have helped with reconciliation if he was still with us. He always talked about the subjects Canada as a country wanted to gloss over. What a legend !
I’m fast learning that. Just imagine.
He did help so many and the Downie Wenjack Foundation does that. But you are right his legacy and work must be carried on. Him and Jack Layton truly cared for and about people.
Gord definitely has helped. This country has turned in the right direction and is changing for, what I believe to be, the better. Yes we still drop the ball too many times than I would like but it is on the right course. The biggest change has yet to come because it’s the younger generations, the ones being more aware of where we need to be. The future really is with them. Like Gord said, it’s the next 150 yrs that will count. I hope North America can make it there as one.
I live in Bobcaygeon, a small town in the Kawartha lakes region, north east of Toronto. It is a beautiful town of 4 or 5000 people, between Pigeon and Sturgeon lakes. The population increases in the summer due to people who own vacation properties. We are so honoured for our town to be named in this song.
I live in Lindsay and i know Bobcaygeon like the back of my hand ....one problem ..my wife loves Bigley,s LOL !
@@northlander4370 No matter the time of year or weather, you will always see one person walking around town with a Bigley's bag.
Thank you for doing this song. I love it.
There's a lot of hidden meaning because there are some pretty obscure lyrics. It's ultimately about a man wanting to escape the terrible things he was seeing around him and take refuge in his lover's arms in a small, quiet town.
A lot of the racial tension that was happening in the States during the 90s (like the LA riots) was happening on a smaller scale in some places in Canada. There was a riot in 1993 between the Heritage Front and an anti-racist group. This was the band's take on it.
The riot reference could be a triple:
- the above
- the Christie Pits riots in Toronto in 1933 (it broke out during a baseball game. One of the teams was made up of mostly Jewish people and some a-hole rooting for the Christian team hung a swastika in the stands. They cleared the stands and battled for about 6 hours, using whatever weapons they could find.
- the reference to The Men They Couldn't Hang is to a British punk rock anti-racism band. One of the songs they played at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto (with checkerboard floors) was about race riots that broke out in London in the 30s.
Gord was brilliant and frequently changed his stories to keep people entertained (and probably guessing). In the video, his lover is indigenous. Sometimes in concerts it was about a couple of gay cops. He was against oppression so much that he included every group experiencing it. He wanted everyone to be happy. He was particularly interested in helping the indigenous get a platform.
Nautical Disaster is very good too.
If you want another iconic Canadian band to listen to, try Blue Rodeo. The songs Try, Rain Down on Me, Lost Together, and Bad Timing are some of my personal favourites.
Thanks so much for these details. It’s great. Love it even more now. Been thinking a lot about the lyric “it was in Bobcaygeon, I saw the constellations, reveal themselves one star at a time” in comparison to what he sang about the grey obscured sky he saw out the window of his room in the city. Bobcaygeon was the place where he saw life and love as simple and not complicated by the bigotry and other crap in the wider world.
Yes please to BLUE RODEO! ❤❤❤. Rose Coloured Glasses, Til I am Myself Again, Lost Together, Bad Timing, Rain Down on Me, Fools Like You (Political and Indigenous)
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 have you checked out Rick Mercer, who used to be on This Hour Has 22 minutes, he has a couple of great videos Talking To Americans, where he mentions Peters Mans Bridge 😂
Love Blue Rodeo, saw them live twice. Also do Diamond Mine
I honestly want to thank you very much.
Very insightful comments .
Also, thank you for mentioning Blue Rodeo.
I am a stagehand in Calgary and those are the two bands I set up their gear and run Spotlight for.
I just want to say thank you very much
The Hip meant so much to so many of us. It's great to see their music still touching lives. It was great of you to do this. If you haven't listened to these yet, So Hard Done By and New Orleans is Sinking are just a couple of many great Hip songs.
The tragically hip will always be my favorite band, seeing them 4 times the music always got me through hard times
Amazing how music can help us through hard times. Thanks for sharing friend.
John, you are an amazing, beautiful man!! I love how you're able to be emotional and just own it, as you should!! Your child(ren) are very fortunate!! Thank you for this!! Gord was an incredible man!!!
Wow thanks for this really kind reaction. The older I get the more comfortable I’ve become about expressing my feelings and emotions. I think being a dad is a big part of it. But getting to know Gord while at the same time knowing he died 6 years ago is a strange feeling. It makes me sad to see such a beautiful human taken too early.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287
You’re so right on!! We got to see him, once,at a festival we have each summer. He did music from his indigenous project! Amazing!! He certainly is another Canadian treasure and he’s greatly missed here and, I’m guessing, in many places around the world!! I bet you and he would have been great friends if you’d met!! You have a similar heart!!! Aging isn’t all bad, is it!?!
As a fellow John, a canuck and a "Hip"ster I will say Mr Canada was one of a kind. No other musician, that I am aware of, has stopped their concert, final concert at that, and called out the sitting prime minister and told them the first nations' issues are now on their hands. He was and still is our nation's story teller. Thank you for the coverage.
Thanks for diving into our Hip and Gord’s ultimate work. The Hip were the soundtrack of my high school and college years. I’ve seen them live about 9 times but the atmosphere in the stadium in those last live concerts is something I will never forget. I felt one with all Canadians. He was unique and everyone who loved him needs to help carry on his final work. We should all reread the truth and reconciliation commission recommendations and do what we can where we are. ❤️🇨🇦
The story I've heard most often about Bobcaygeon is that it is based on the true story of a cop in Toronto who quit after having to perform riot control at a clash between facists and anti-facists -- being forced to be neutral meant also providing protection to the facists. Which he couldn't take given the relationship he was in. in the video it is with a native woman, but apparently it may have actually been a gay relationship with another cop in Bobcaygeon. He alludes to the band The Men They Couldn't Hang whose song "Ghost of Cable Street" is also about clashes between facists and anti-facists (the checkered floor refers to the Horsehoe Tavern where they played in Toronto). A clash between the Heritage Front and Anti-Racist Action took place a few years before the song came out. The clear skies and constellations in Bobcaygeon vs the "hypothetical" sky in Toronto reflects the narrator's clarity of mind and direction.
We tuned in because The Hip we’re intricately connected to us. The joy, the depth and the quality of their music yes, but they meant so much more. They were about sitting by a campfire with your friends, driving in your car across the prairies, having a beer on the dock with a loon singing in the distance…and then to realize Gord was on his final days as my hair became greyer and my health deteriorated as well. Their music connects with my core. What a band, what a man.
Yes he was. I’m getting it
I think most of Canada watched that concert. Even my 80 year old MIL watched it with my SIL, her sister, my daughter, nieces, nephews, along with me. Epic. We all sang along together. 🇨🇦🎶
Love it. ❤️
I seen people in camp grounds whating the concert on 60 in , flat screen TV,s on the side of campers watching it.
I tuned in out of respect. I was lucky to be a teen in the 80s/90s. This band had a huge impact on our generation. I saw them at Molson Park in Barrie with about 50,000 others and also front row at Massey Hall in a more intimate setting. Life long memories. They were always with us at the cottage or on a road trip. Made us proud to be Canadian. Thanks for showing respect to the greatest Canadian band and to Gord Downie ❤
I have heard from so many people about going to cottage country. I suppose you’re from Ontario? Sounds so nice from what I’ve heard.
OMG. That was so emotional. The entire last year of performances by The Hip were amazing, thoughtful, soul-searching and memorable. R.I.P. Gord. Canada misses you and we will never forget. Thanks also to Peter Mansbridge for doing what only he could do. Thanks John for this. I thought I had cried enough at the last performance in Kingston but discovered more tears. Appreciate what you do and love your channel. Feel a kinship. 👏👏🇨🇦🇨🇦
Same here and thanks for your kind words. I am feeling it for sure.
Powerful stuff. Great reaction! I am so glad you discovered this band.
I'm glad you dug a little deeper into Gord, and what he did with his remaining months. And as a Canadian, I'm sure he knew of Terry Fox. We all do. I(Our elementary and high schools have Terry Fox runs every year in aid of cancer research), don't think Gord was inspired by Terry though; Gord was just another really good Canadian. Cheers from north of the 49th.PS Gord was made an honourary member of First Nations; look that up. It's very touching. RIP Man Who Walks Among The Stars.
Gord Downie humanitarian advocate great Canadian legend
💕 omg! John! you’re playing drums to Bobcageon??! my heart is melting! 💕
❤️🇨🇦 RESPECT🇨🇦❤️
I was at one of the last shows in Vancouver, it was an intensely emotional show, it was fabulous. In a way, it was a very Canadian ending. 🥰😁☺I love that you got so into them, their talent, creativity and consistency is without compare. And why did we tune in, that last summer, especially? Because we love him and the whole band and wanted to see all we could, knowing it was the last summer. 🥲
Gord was our latest version of the "National Poet". We have had a few who tapped into the Canadian Zeitgeist. But Downie was that man for this era. He woke people up to our history and past and did it in a way some would have never thought about it until they heard the Hip.
Gordon Lightfoot, Bruce Cockburn, the Guess Who to a lesser extent. They all sort of tapped into the Canadian roots in some of their songs. But no one was quite like Gord. He mined it hard...and did it in a way that didn't translate to American audiences or anyone else. In reality, he and the boys didn't even try. They wanted to tell stories to Canadians and didn't give a flying fadoo about the rest of it. Bobcaygeon is a love song....but I hear it and I can hear the quiet...the lake .. the sound of a screen door on a cottage ...it is unlike most of their more driving rock sounds.
You were right - there was no morbid curiosity. It was a national moment that we wanted to be part of. This was the soundtrack of much of our lives.
As a Canadian and hip fan for 30 plus years I love your appreciation and efforts to understand this great band of ours and our great Canadian nation in general. Growing up in Montreal in the 80s and 90s, my older sister and I used to have music wars through the walls. We never agreed on music, until the hip came along. The first band we both loved equally. The first live concerts we actually went to together. in our teenage years when sibling rivalry was at its peak the Hip came along and made everything better. Just another small story about the magic of this band. ps this machine kills fascists first appeared many years ago on Woodie Guthrie's guitar and has been emulated by many since, like Billy Bragg and of course Rob Baker.
Thanks for this great personal story about how this band brought you and your sis closer. Love it. Based on your avatar, is it right to assume you play guitar?
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 I'm a musician and music teacher and need to know lots of instruments but guitar is my primary instrument. While I have you here, have you heard of the Weakerthans? Another great Canadian band, lesser known than the hip, but just so incredible and definitely worthy of a reaction. Here's a little documentary about them: ruclips.net/video/7i45NwDCcTg/видео.html
Hey John, excellent video. Heartfelt, insightful & sincere...thank you ☺️
BTW, you sound like one of us Canucks 😄🇨🇦
Oh, I had once shared a can of Canada Dry ginger ale with Peter Mansbridge on a smaller Air Canada plane from Connecticut to Toronto and had a nice convo with him 😄
Good drumming, love the nod to Neil Peart on the poster behind you. Thanks for this Hip journey!
Thanks. I’ve become a fan for sure. I’m just sad I missed them when Gord was still here.
We were there for Gord, it didnt matter how well they did, we just wanted to say thanks🇨🇦❤️
Thank you for keeping his memory alive 😢❤️🇨🇦 rip Gord.
During that time and before We we're doing everything we could to support my son who also had a brain tumor of the same type. My son lived for three years after his diagnosis. He passed in 2017 at the age of 30 years old.
So sorry, condolences
Im so very sorry, glioblastoma is a beast. My daughter went through 3+ years of chemo but had a kinder cancer that let her live. Watching this must have been very bittersweet for you, hugs.
John thanks for doing this video. As a Canadian born in the 70’s, I grew up around many a camp fire drinking beers and listening to the Hip. It was the unofficial anthem of being a Canadian kid in the 90’s and 2000’s. Unless you lived it, it’s impossible to try and explain just how much the Hip were woven into the tapestry of the Canadian experience… but it means a lot that you would even try 👍🏻🇨🇦
PS - Ontario cottage country in the summertime (Bobcaygeon) can not be beat.
You forgot to mention their work from the 80s with hits like Blow at High dough. I was in high school when they started and went to see them everytime they came to town (grew up in Saskatoon) . Their greatest hits album from 1989 is amazing for a sampling of the Hips earliest works if you're interested John. You will not be disappointed
Gord's 'First Avenue' baseball cap: 701 North 'First Avenue' would become the concert venue most associated with Prince and is an iconic Minneapolis landmark as a result. Its facilities comprise of two concert rooms, the Mainroom offering capacity for 1,500, and a smaller venue accessed on 7th Street and thereby named 7th St Entry, with capacity for 250. In 1981 the club’s talent booker Steve McClellan booked Prince to play Sam’s, securing the upcoming star with a fee of $2,500. Prince performed that show to a capacity audience on 9 March 1981, powering through a 95-min set as part of his Dirty Mind Tour. First Avenue became a regular haunt for Prince throughout the 1980s, staging a total of nine concerts at the venue, plus two guest appearances at the adjoining 7th St Entry. The Mainroom became famous of course as the principal location for the movie Purple Rain, its filming taking place at the venue throughout November and December 1983.
In honour of the vast array of talent who performed at 'First Avenue' over the years, which in addition to Prince include U2 - playing the Boy Tour and writing part of October there in 1982, Ramones, Nirvana, Tina Turner, Run DMC, David Byrne and of course The Time, in 1990 a tradition was begun to paint silver stars roll-calling the names of visiting performers on First Avenue’s exterior walls. A total of 531 such stars have been so painted. Prince’s star, located in prime position on the right of the club’s main entrance, was mysteriously repainted gold during the night of 3 May 2016 in the wake of his death that April.
First Avenue celebrated its 50th birthday on 3 April 2020 and remains one of the longest surviving independent live music establishments in America.
Wow, cool info. I’ve never been to Minneapolis, though I did know Prince lived in Minnesota. Minneapolis sounds like a great music town.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 Many Canadians consider the State of Minnesota to be an honorary Canadian province as it's the mecca of American hockey culture. Gord was also a huge advocate for 'independently owned' music venues. The twin venue to First Avenue in Canada is The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. Gord writes about The Horseshoe in the song Bobcaygeon ... 'That night in Toronto, with it's checkerboard floors" is a reference to the dance floor at the Horseshoe Tavern. Stompin' Tom Connors also helped to make the Horseshoe Tavern an iconic venue for local independent artists/musicians back in the 60's/70's. In many ways, Gord was a modern extension to grassroots Stompin Tom. Albeit different styles, both poetically wrote about Canadian culture. Another huge icon to Gord was the Canadian poet Al Purdy. Gord actually did a poetic tribute video to A.P many years ago called "At The Quinte Hotel". It's really fantastic!! Gord's creative tribute to the 'The POET'! Here's the link ruclips.net/video/R1dc9OaS8GU/видео.html... Enjoy!!
And, WOW!! John!!! I love, love your drum playing!!! Thank you for sharing this part of your life with all of us!!! Just perfect!!!
Bobcaygeon has been and will always be my favourite Tragically Hip song. Growing up my family had a trailer/cottage on Buckhorn Lake just a short boat ride from there. It's such a beautiful, friendly town and as a kid the locks were just so fascinating to watch!
"the constellations reveal themselves one star at a time."
-Gord Downie RIP
You’re correct about why we wanted to go see the final tour. We just wanted to see him one last time and show him our love. I was there at the Vancouver show. It was emotional and beautiful at the same time. I’m glad the world is slowly discovering them through people like yourself but ultimately they will always belong to us ❤
JOHN!! Jamming on the skins to "Bobcaygeon" in the intro AND wearing a Hip T-Shirt for the video? Ok, honorary Canuck status granted!! Lol. I just worry I may have created a monster. Lmao. I really hope I haven't subjected you to a new addiction. Honestly though, as far as addictions go, you could definitely do a lot worse than The Hip. I will admit when I suggested "38 Years Old" just knowing you were already a Rush fan and you were partial to Gordon Lightfoot that I had more than a sneaking suspicion The Hip would resonate with you. Again my brother, sorry (but not sorry) for leading you down this rabbit hole. Lol.
I proud to accept the title of honorary Canadian. And I will ware my Hip shirt with the maple leaf flag on it with pride. And yessir, you created a Hip monster for sure. Lol. I am really loving it for all the reasons I said in my intro. I did listed to 38 Years Old by the way. Very powerful. It’s also one that I was able to just sit and pay attention to the lyrics. I love Gord’s voice in it too. Not sorry at all you turned me on the them. Can’t thank you enough.
Came across channel by accident and I’m really enjoying. You’re going to get alot of comments about The Hips song , Wheat Kings . You want Canadian history in a song. That’s the one. And happened in my hometown. Cheers from Saskatoon , Saskatchewan
I tuned in for the last goodbye concert for one reason… to give Gord and the Hip the standing ovation they so deeply deserved. In Gord we Trust. ❤
I was 12 or 13 when Up to Here was released. I had heard last American Exit and a few others from the first album but Up to Here was a game changer. It was so bluesy and rocking. It held your ear instantly. The Hip were a band that didn't sound like anyone. If you heard a Hip song you instantly knew it was them. I grew up with that sound. It was there at my many jobs, it was at every arena, HS football game, camping trip, bush party, and social gathering. You heard it at the beach, the curling rink, and just about every vehicle I ever drove in. It was engraved in our Canadian culture. I wasn't ready to say goodbye. I'm heartbroken that I will never take my 2 teenage boys to see them live(I have seen them 6 times). They truly were a once in a lifetime band for Canadians. We don't honk our own horns and wave our flag very often but the Hip seemed to understand us and make it ok to be proud of our little country. There will never be another band as important to most Canadians but I feel very fortunate to experience the whole Hip ride. As heartbreaking as it has been it was worth every minute! R.I.P Gord!
Multiple people have now said they were a band they listen to around the campfire. It paints such a cool picture for me and I think I would really have enjoyed that.
oohhh I almost forgot about Last American Exit! great song
@linzzyy yeah! Highway Girl, I'm a werewolf baby!, small-town bring down. Just the beginning. A little rough but the seed was there. And it got them on Muchmusic
I am so happy that you have embraced Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip. This man and this band so epitomize what we as Canadians hope to become, as a people, as a culture, as a Nation! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings John.🇨🇦
Oh, I'm so glad you're reacting to Bobcaygeon! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Edit: Oh damn. I didn't know you were going to dive this deep. I said I wouldn't cry... But I'm crying.
Peter is a great interviewer, miss him on the news
Great stuff. "This machine kills fascists" is indeed what it says on Rob's guitar - it's what the great American songwriter Woody Guthrie had scrawled on his guitar during his heyday.
Didn’t know that about Woody. Thanks and I’m glad I noticed that. I could have easily overlooked it. Just caught my eye. It was a great video too.
It always warms my heart to see a new born hip fan. The tragically hip is the perfect example of a band being more than just the sum of its parts. It isn't about being the best singer or the best guitar player, it's about bringing a country together and aiming for something greater.... The hip will always be a huge part of Canadian history
I get it, truly. And the music is good in its relative simplicity. That’s all it needs to be.
Every time I pass the turn off to Bobcaygeon, I can't help but get this song stuck in my head.
That said, it's hard to explain the scope of feelings I get when I think of The Tragically Hip... They were formed they year I was born, so I grew up buying their albums and listening to their songs. As far as I knew, they were always around and would always be around. Then as I grew up, what were catchy tunes when I was younger, grew up into meaningful songs. Certain songs hit differently when you have more context and life experience.
Finally comes the hard news about Gord's diagnosis. You think to yourself, it's not good, but it still doesn't feel real. You delude yourself (or at least I did) that the news isn't good, but somehow things will work out. That's until the final concert makes it all really sink in. You're watching it, everyone you know is watching it, and you know you are watching something incredibly special, but heartbreaking at the same time. The world stops and for a short period of time a nation comes together.
RIP Gord, you were a true legend.
Very well said my friend. I do believe I’m understanding it as best as someone can looking at it from afar and some 5 years after Gord’s passing.
"Certain songs hit differently when you have more context and life experience."
So true.
John, if you see this, pick up "Yer Favourites" double CD for a broad experience of The HIP.
Well done on the drums. I live 15 KM from the 100th Meridian, here in Brandon Manitoba. Big country, small population. Our history is vast. But our military history is so underrated. As much as our music.
Well my friend, I working on correcting that.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 , I thank you for that. You already know more about our military history than half of Canadians.
Bobcaygeon is a song that if I hear it, I’ll stop and listen.
There’s just something about it that’s just sad and beautiful but… beyond words.
I grew up with the Hip because my mom loved them, and I had the very great privilege of seeing them live three times. It really was something else. You couldn’t take your eyes off of Gord onstage
In your travels, check out a song Gord did with City & Colour called Sleeping Sickness. So good
Will do my friend
@John F - American Reacts UK, AU, CA, NZ I would also suggest, if you haven't already, check out City and Colour with Sarah Harmer at the 2018 JUNOs. They do a wonderful cover Bobcaygeon.
@@bullzeyejutzi YES. That ruined me.
I got to see City and Colour perform in Calgary ages ago. The Hip were closing the night, and Gord came onstage to sing Sleeping Sickness live with Dallas for the first time.
(There’s video of it, the quality’s not great but you can still feel the electricity of the crowd.)
Huge respect to your understanding of how important this was so for many Canadians. Love that you learned the drums for Bobcaygeon. Mad respect to you! My wife is not from Canada, but when I met her in 1990 I introduced her, and she became a hardcore fan. Saw them a number of times - one time with only 25 people in a small club in Munich; othertimes with 25000 at outdoor concerts. Thanks for your truth and honesty.
25 people in a club in Munich must have been so intimate and cool. Then also to see them with the energy of 25,000 fans. Amazing. There have been a few American fans commenting how they saw them in small 1,000 people venues in the US. I’m so bummed I missed it all.
Well done, John. A very heartfelt and appreciated reaction to one of our very best.
What a fantastic video !! This was a true real reaction to not only "Bobcagyon" the song, but Gord Downie as well. When you had to take a minute, I did also. I still miss him and his influence so much ! He was creative, quirky, and a real heartfelt thinking human.
The song " Wheat Kings " by the Hip ( my favorite ) is about David Milgard, a man imprisoned for 26 years for a crime ( in my city Winnipeg ) he did not commit. It is worth a listen, or several !! Great shirt, BTW !!!
Thanks so much. I do believe I’m understanding it in some small measure. And it’s weird, but as I fall in love with this band, it’s like they exist now for me and yet, I’m experiences these documentaries and all of your reactions from Canada and feel almost a sense of mourning myself, knowing the final outcome that has already happened.
Wheat Kings would definitely be great to react to! My personal favourite song by The Hip.
Awesome reaction thanks for your passion of Canada, Gord, the Hip and music 🇨🇦 🇺🇸!
I didn’t get to see them live on their last tour but I had the pleasure of seeing them live at least a dozen times over the year’s. I live in a small town and the last concert from Kingston, ON was lived streamed onto a big screen in our biggest park.
From the city, now live ten minutes north of Bobcaygeon. Daughter moved to Bobcaygeon. Our other two kids in Toronto come here frequently. Know why the Hip loves it.
Your reference about Gord Downie and Eddie Vedder did not escape me. The fact that the two of them, from different countries, entertained us with their talent of music, they were bastions of bringing history and a painful awareness of the world around them and how it formed them and all the rest of us of that exact age. 1964 produced so many children who went on to bring this to the world, including Downie, Vedder, Tracey Chapman and so many more. That last year of the "Baby-boomers" really epitomized the difference between the older of this Gen and them, leading to precursor of GenX in a huge way. May we never lose what these people gave to the world as reflection and warning to the younger ones.
Love the Hip content! Keep digging so worth it. Maybe react to a Hip live performance before Gord got sick. He and the band are amazing and so underrated.
The Hip were Canada's guilty pleasure, that we selfishly kept to ourselves. Gordon should be named Canada's poet laureate posthumously, if he hasn't been already.
I was in Kingston, Ontario a few years ago, where the Hip are from. My cab driver was driving me downtown and he said "Oh, there's Gord Downey, of the Hip". Gord was just walking down the street with some of his friends and the cab driver had nothing but good things to say about him and the rest of the band. He said they are all down to earth guys and if they knew you they would say something to you. If they didn't know you, they would say "hello".
Love it
You are very appreciated John. Thanks alot Sir. Love from Canada.
Thanks 😊
That moment, when you realize this will probably make its way back to the band
Priceless
RIP Gord Downie. Dundas Square..Toronto council voted to change and named for you Gord Downie Square. I will be visiting this summer. This is a really proud Canadian moment. Koodoos to the city of Toronto for giving Gord his honors ❤ I tuned in because I genuinely loved the Hip and I had to see Gord. We genuinely loved him 😢😢❤❤
I feel lucky as an outsider to have discovered this Canadian treasure and get it as much as I can form here south of the border
Thank you for honoring our beloved Gordie and The Hip. I live about 40 minutes from Bobcaygeon
Glad you chose this song. 5 yrs after Gord passed ... the music lives on
For me it was that the hip where the soundtrack to so much of my youth and became an absolute part of me. RIP Gord
Awesome intro my American cousin! That made my little Canadian heart so happy. They're such a special band. 😁
Great video, I had it on in the background cause if I focus to much I start crying, Gord was the best
I live about 20 minutes from Bobcaygeon. Always have loved that song and The Hip in general. Even went to their last concert in Toronto.
Love all of your Canadian content!
Really appreciate you delving so deeply into this band that is so meaningful to Canada, with so much sensitivity and compassion. Nice drumming too.
Thank you so much! It’s been really rewarding for me personally. Thanks for sharing all this great culture with me.
Change/Charlie was Anishinaabe from Marten Falls First Nation on the Albany River. The residential school he attended was 400 km west. I’m also Anishinaabe and have had family members who survived residential school. I was so glad to see Gord consult with the family. So much has bee done to us or about us without us. Systemic racism is alive and well in our institutions but orgs like the Donnie/Wenjack Foundation are trying to bring awareness tho the Truth and Reconciliation 94 Calls to Action.
I was blessed to see The Hip in concert twice. Once opening for The Rolling Stones and once as the headliners. I watched the final show on TV with the rest of the country. They didn't have any shows down my way for their last tour, but even if they had, I would have proudly watched that final show. It wasn't a morbid curiosity, there might have been a few, non fans, who did. I believe us fans, watched because we loved Gord and The Hip so much and we just wanted to really take in one more moment with them. Make it a moment to remember. To me, that concert will always be one of those, where were you when, moments.
Since I didn't see any answer for your question per Wikipedia: Chanie "Charlie" Wenjack (January 19, 1954 - October 23, 1966) was an Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) First Nations boy who ran away from Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School, where he boarded for three years in Kenora, Ontario, Canada.
As an American lover of The Hip and Gord Downie and Native American…. Thank you for delving so deeply
That makes two of us on all counts. Thanks for watching and sharing. It’s good to see another American here.
I was born in 84. I grew up listening to The Hip, and absolutely love their music. Adored Gord Downey for his for bringing to light some socially taboo topics. I did absolutely watch the final concert, and shed a couple tears knowing that was it. If you haven't heard it. Listen to "Wheat Kings", pay attention to the lyrics. It's about a 16 year old accused of murdering a women in Saskatchewan, that served 28 years (if I remember correctly) before he was proven innocent. Gord Downey was an absolute treasure of a man. RIP.
I miss you Gord, and I miss the band. I miss seeing you guys live, you were such a show man. I don't think the pain of losing Gord will ever go away
Love all their music so much. They weren't afraid to take a stand when needed.
I live south-east of Bobcaygeon but the view at the beginning of the song could have been shot from my front door. The lake I'm on is about 3 miles across and part of the same water system.
John when I watch a video of yours I always walk away more enlightened, but maybe more importantly I walk away with a better understanding. Thank you!.
keep going, John F., a lifetime of expression - reward in the details and moments
This video made my week. Thank you so much. You are a beautiful, deep soul.
Honestly, those who SEE *this*, FEEL *this*, and , GET *this*, are “our” people. Doesn’t matter what country you are from. Borders are imagined. We are united as one humanity. THANK YOU.
Love your love for just people. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
@@johnf-americanreacts1287 ❤️
Fully Completely was on constant replay in my room in highschool. The last concert I saw was a couple years before they announced Gord's diagnosis. It was an outdoor summer concert, Gord was on point, lots of willy nelson passed around and there were firefly's hovering around over the crowd, it was magical.
The “This Machine Kills Fascists” on the guitar is the same quote that Woody Guthrie had on his guitar in the 1940s (you know him by the satirical patriotic song “This Land Is Your Land”). It’s basically saying music is protest.
"This Machine Kills Facists' is also what Woodie Guthrie had written on his guitar. He wrote many a great folk song including 'this land is your land'
I sure know who Woody Guthrie is but didn’t know that about his guitar. I do now though thanks to you and your fellow commenters. Much appreciated.
You are a very intelligent and an amazing person and one heck of a good drummer. Thank you for bringing Canada to light.
I live just a couple miles from bocagon so proud gord we see you in thoughs constellations!!!!!
Wow great intro with your cover on the drums. Really enjoyed that! Love the ride cymbal work.
Bobcaygeon is a favorite of mine. Thanks for choosing this song to react to.
I just wanted to see him again. An ever present voice in a very significant part of my life.
Gord connected with the fans, and he exuded his inner self and his love of his fans/country when he performed. You could readily see it with his words and actions.
Thank you...Canadian sipping morning coffee will alwatys click on Bobcaygeon. I miss the Hip. This speaks to me on so many levels. I have been to the area. I too travelled from a difficult job to see my beloved before we married. I have been a northeern nurse and seen the conditions and the residential school trauma. I am Jewish and the rise of fascism is once a gain a problem.
In the arms of your love with the constellations you recover and go on.
Thanks so much for sharing your personal experiences and how relatable this song is to you’re life. Peace my friend
I truly hope Gord never believed anyone followed of watch that last tour with morbid curiosity. I KNOW in my heart the country followed and watched because he and they were a cultural phenomenon and like you said, we knew it was the last shows. It would be ending. Not a vanity “farewell, for now” but a true closing. We wanted to say goodbye, say we love you, say thank you. And we wanted to do it together, as a nation. It is rare that you get that chance. Thank you for sharing Gord and the Boys outside our boarders. And welcome to the family. 🇨🇦🇺🇸
Thank you for sharing your hidden gem with this New Yorker.
Thank you for this lovely tribute.
I’ve been a fan since their first album to the last and went to the final concert in Kingston
❤😢❤😊❤
That last concert must have been so amazing and emotional. It’s weird because I quickly fell in love with the Hip and Gord while at the same time realizing he died 6 years ago and I feel like I’m mourning him as I’m discovering him at the same time. Mixed emotions.
I understand that. He had a very short life but his sincere heart was wide-reaching. I first started listening to the Hip because one of his band mates was a High School classmate for a short time (Quebec City). We all wanted to support them of course in the beginning. For me, their sound and poetic storytelling turned me into a lifelong fan ❤@@johnf-americanreacts1287
Love that you're not leaving the Hip. As you now know they are the heart of Canada. BTW Love your Hip shirt!! As soon as the Peter M show began the tears are rolling down my cheeks already (even though i've seen this a dozen times). I suggest, if you haven't, to watch the whole Long time running. (if nothing else it will help teach you about the geography of Canada, lol) We were 100% racist in the past and though there's still some of it I don't think most of us are racist today, we're just ignorant. I grew up very near a residential school (in Saskatchewan) but had no clue what it was or what atrocities were going on there; we certainly didn't learn about it in school (it's super disgusting when you consider they didn't close the last one until 1996/97).
I've been a Hip fan since high school (the '80s) and have seen them in concert over a dozen times including their last concert in Kingston (man that was an experience). If you're interesting hearing some of their earlier works (and some of their huge hits) check out their Best of cd from 1989; every track is a deserving classic
In Gord we trust!
There are countless examples of many people being inspired by one person. Gord is no exception. Moreover, he was a shining example of the values we should all aspire to. His love and legacy shall live on infinitely.
Omg I have never been so happy to see you become a Hip fan. I was raised on the classical rock and iconic 🇨🇦 music. Bobcaygeon and every single song and album even the concept albums are all worth it. Additionally his work in the reconciliation acts in Canada for his indigenous support and efforts to bring awareness to our murdered indigenous girls and women. He was not just a celebrity singer songwriter he was activism and a true humanitarian.
He was indeed. I have had real mixed emotions of becoming a fan of the band and of the man while realizing he died 5 years ago and experiencing his last year. It’s really bittersweet
That intro was 🔥
All of your commentary is spot on John, thank you for this.
why did we all watch the final show? we had to, we had to say thank you. you don't always get that chance. we had to say thank you.
Great loss, and such ambassador for his cause. The similarities between Gord and another Canadian musician John Mann ( Spirt of the west) are endless. John suffered from early-onset Alzheimer's first diagnosed at 50. Like Gord, he used his platform to raise awareness. John performed as long as he could, his band actually had an ipad set up, and the bass player hooked it up to a foot pedal to turn the pages so John could sing the now forgotten lyrics.
A few months before his death, dozens of musicians from across Canada did a tribute / benefit for John, to see him on stage, probably not realizing just what was taking place, but just dancing and having a great time through the power of music still brings me to tears..
Wow! That must have been seriously heartwarming but hard to watch at the same time. Thanks for sharing.
Excellent and emotional reaction amigo… thank you 🙏🏽
I absolutely love that it took you no time at all to fall in love with the music and buy official merch. Thanks for taking time to learn about about a couple of friends who play some garage music!
It’s been my absolute pleasure. I’m looking forward to people asking me about my new Hip shirt when I’m out so I can tell them about the band.
Why we tuned in? Because they are The Hip. Around bon fires, and basement jams with beers and guitars and the whole room singing songs that defined who were as friends, as Canadians, as people on those nights when The Hip made everything just a little bit better. We connect, there's a love connection, a soul connection that sets aside attitude and conflict to embrace something we all recognize in each other...our common humanity and history good and bad