6 illinoisentertainer . com march 2025
TRAGICALLY HIP LIFE
This is Our Life by The Tragically Hip ( Genesis )
T
he 40th anniversary of the Tragically Hip has been celebrated in grand style , returning the band to the peak of its global awareness since the tragic 2017 loss of beloved frontman Gord Downie . Director and brother Mike Downie ’ s No Dress Rehearsal documentary ( streaming on Amazon Prime ) told the Canadian band ’ s moving story , examining the connections and collective mission shared by his late younger sibling and the singer ’ s band family . In November , the band ’ s debut full-length album Up to Here , with enduring singles “ Blow at High Dough ” and “ New Orleans is Sinking ,” was reissued in a deluxe box set .
This hardbound 312-page coffee table book is the anniversary campaign ' s third major piece . It ’ s loaded with previously unseen photos from the band ’ s archive and personal collections , notebook pages , news clippings , handwritten lyrics , tour paperwork , band gear , and even that famous Bill Barilko hockey card immortalized in the song “ Fifty Mission Cap .” Most importantly , the book tells the Tragically Hip story in the band ’ s own words , captured accessibly here as a chronological oral history with memories of rehearsals and writing sessions , bar gigs , recording dates , van and bus tours , and personal moments together . Chapters are designated by the titles of the band ’ s 13 studio albums , with extra entries covering the band ’ s early years in Kingston , Ontario clubs and a triumphant tour marking the 20th anniversary of breakthrough album Fully Completely .
The Hip is duly lionized as the quintessentially Canadian band . Downie compulsively packed songs with big themes and small details that reflected life in his home country . “ He was almost obsessed with getting to the bottom of certain stories ,” says guitarist Paul Langlois . “ And if he could find a way to get them into a song , he was certainly going to try .” “ Bobcaygeon ” emerged from 1998 ’ s Phantom Power as a uniquely moving Canadian character sketch on par with Jimmy Webb ’ s “ Wichita Lineman .”
Drawing from hundreds of hours of interviews with Downie and surviving band members Langlois , Rob Baker , Gord Sinclair , and Johnny Fay , This Is Our Life also gains perspective from those close to the Tragically Hip . Fellow musicians , including Geddy Lee of Rush , studio collaborators like producer Steve Berlin , crew member Dave “ Billy Ray ” Koster , and manager Jake Gold , all offer memoirs and testimonials . Experienced showman Berlin speaks of being mystified by Downie ’ s ability to improvise completely new and fascinating mid-song stories and monologues every night on tour . “ It ’ s about as close to rock and roll shamanism as you can get ,” he says . “ Mick Jagger is often thought of in that way , but he ’ s
By Jeff Ebel
not doing what Gord was doing . [ Jagger ’ s ] not coming up with seven-minute raps , like a screenplay , off the top of his head .” Midnight Oil drummer and songwriter Rob Hirst witnessed similar prowess when the Oils joined the Hip ’ s Another Roadside Attraction tour in 1993 . “ You throw in this wild card of Gord Downie , who ’ s barely sticking to the script , and I think that was the majesty of the Tragically Hip ,” he says .
Alongside musings on music are tales of whatever made band members tick individually or collectively . One series of photos shows the band circa 1996 album Trouble at the
Henhouse suiting up for a hockey match alongside colleagues , including members of the Rheostatics . Downie offers his reliably poetic and philosophical view of the lonely but critical role of the goalie .
There are ample tales of creative triumphs , like the breakthrough in bringing “ Ahead by a Century ” to life , but the band is unflinching in their self-assessment . Lead guitarist Baker reflects on the near-miss of 2012 ’ s Now for Plan A . “ We ended up with an underwhelming record when we were on the cusp of having a really strong rock album ,” he says . “ It felt like we cut ourselves off at the ankles a little bit . The collected artifacts and anecdotes result in an insightful portrait of a still-beloved band that ceased road work following 2016 ’ s daring and ambitious tour behind the Hip ’ s final album Man Machine Poem . Downie participated despite suffering severe memory loss and other effects due to a terminal brain tumor .
The group as a whole leaves a legacy of surrogate national anthems , including “ Poets ” and “ Wheat Kings ,” cinematic character studies like “ Grace , Too ,” and the ongoing impact of important charitable work for environmental causes and recognition of Canada ’ s indigenous population . This is Our Life vividly reveals why generations remain so connected to the band and the impassioned , inventive rock and roll interplay that ushered their songs into the public ' s hearts . ( genesis-publications . com )