The Tragically Hip
Biography
Whether it’s the opening riff of the classic Blow at High Dough, or Gordon Downie’s trademark lyrics and voice, there is no mistaking a Tragically Hip song. From their early beginnings in the 1980s to the present date, the Tragically Hip have gained an allegiance of fans, sold over 10 million records world wide and have become known for their high energy live shows.
In 1983, this legendary band formed and took its name from a skit by Michael Nesmith of the Monkees. In 1987 they released a self-titled EP and in 1989 came their first full-length release Up To Here. That album contains the now unmistakable classics "Blow at High Dough" and "New Orleans is Sinking." Since then the band have released a total of twelve albums and many other noted classic songs signifying their signature sound such as "Little Bones," "50 Mission Cap," "Wheat Kings," and "Grace, Too," naming just a few.
The band, consisting of Gordon Downie (vocals), Paul Langlios (guitar), Rob Baker (guitar), Gord Sinclair (bass), and Johnny Fay (drums), have received numerous honours over their twenty-plus years in the business. In 1990 they received their first of many Juno awards for most promising group. In 2002 they were inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame and in 2005 they became members of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
Apart from their many musical accomplishments, The Tragically Hip are known for their assistance to many charitable organizations such as The Waterkeeper Alliance, Almost Home, Make Poverty History, The Canadian Red Cross and the David Suzuki Foundation. Gordon Downie has also released two solo albums, Coke Machine Glow and Battle of the Nudes, as well as a book of poetry also called Coke Machine Glow.
The Tragically Hip’s most recent release, Hipeponymous, is a box set containing two CDs and two DVDs. The band describes it as a gift to their many fans. It contains 35 Tragically Hip favourites actually chosen by their fans via an online poll.
The band’s legacy as one of Canada’s premiere rock bands will likely continue to grow with the release of their newest CD, World Container, due out in 2006.
Sources: Tragically Hip Official Website, Wikipedia
Relationship to Blue Rodeo
- Gordon Downie and Jim Cuddy both performed on "The Streets Where You Live" (2002), a song in support of the Buried Heart Society.
- Jim Cuddy and Gordon Downie often play hockey together in a league full of notable Canadian musicians including Mike Timmins of the Cowboy Junkies and Dave Bidini of the Rheostatics.
- Part of Blue Rodeo's The Days In Between (2000) was recorded at the Tragically Hip's recording studio, The Bathhouse, in Bath ON.
- Bob Egan of Blue Rodeo performed on The Tragically Hip's CD, Phantom Power (1998). He can be heard playing the mandolin, and steel guitar.
- Both Bands are on the World Vision 30 Hour Famine CD (1998). The songs include Jim Cuddy's "Everybody Cries" from his solo CD All In Time and The Tragically Hip's "Emergency", from Day For Night.
- Tragically Hip's third Roadside Attraction (1997) had ex-Blue Rodeo keyboardist Bob Wiseman joining Wilco for their song "Outtasite (Outta Mind)."
- The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo were two of the 17 Canadian artists who contributed to the CD Pine Ridge: An Open Letter To Allan Rock (1996). On this CD, The Tragically Hip contributed their song "Flamenco" from Trouble At The Henhouse. Greg Keelor contributed the song "Pine Ridge," and Jim Cuddy did the song "Smoking Gun," both performed by Blue Rodeo. This CD was offered as a collective prayer, a message to the Minister of Justice, whom they believed could play an important role in liberating Leonard Peltier, who was unjustly imprisoned for two consecutive life sentences.
- Both Blue Rodeo and The Tragically Hip performed at the Kumbaya Festival at Toronto's Ontario Place (1993). Blue Rodeo played "Hasn't Hit Me Yet," and "Bad Timing." The Hip performed "Hey Maria," "Fully Completely," "Thugs," "100th Meridian," "New Orleans," and "50 Mission Cap."
- The Hip had Blue Rodeo as special guests at Old Fort Henry in Kingston, Ontario, in 1991. The occasion was an open-air benefit concert for Almost Home, a residence for families with sick children in Kingston.
- The Tragically Hip and Blue Rodeo were both acts to play at the Canadian Live 8 concert in 2005.
Related Links
The Tragically Hip Offifical Website
Last Updated
September 2006
Special Thanks To
Rodney