At least that’s how it felt Saturday afternoon on the historic streets of the eastern Ontario city as hordes of music fans prepared for a massive tribute to the Tragically Hip.
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According to his doctor in recent interviews, Downie – a 52-year-old father of four – was having the time of his life on tour and, in the end, isn’t that really what this is all about?
A fan is silhouetted against screens during the broadcast of the Tragically Hip’s final concert at the Rocky Mountain Ice House in Edmonton, Alberta, Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016.
The free event was a viewing party of The Tragically Hip A National Celebration live from Kingston, Ont. on CBC.
The 15-show tour, which is ending in Kingston, Ont., Saturday night, was announced after lead singer Gord Downie revealed that he’s battling terminal brain cancer.
Before “Machine”, Downie launched into one of his trademark onstage rants, calling out to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was in the crowd for the show.
The final performance was broadcast live across the country by the CBC, with memories and tears flowing openly and unashamed.
Wearing a black band T-shirt and denim jacket, the Prime Minster told CBC “there’s so much to celebrate tonight, there’s mixed feelings for sure …”
“Well, you know, prime minister Trudeau’s got me, his work with First Nations. He’s got everybody. He’s going to take us where we need to go”, Downie said from the stage. “I want to say thanks to Kingston for supporting them for so many years and to have given Sir John A. Macdonald and the Hip to Canada”.
It was a bittersweet reaction from the arena crowd, who hung on every word from Downie, and joined in with him on nearly every song.
But he showed his appreciation for the fans as well, thanking them “for keeping me pushing”.
Trudeau said the band remains anchored in Canada in so many ways through their lyrics and music.
Sonya Howard, 36, who was at the party with her boyfriend and friends said the Hip was the soundtrack to many crucial moments in her life so she wanted to be a part of the final concert and say goodbye to Downie.
Downie was diagnosed with glioblastoma, the most aggressive cancerous brain tumor, in December.
By song five, the band delved into new material from their latest album, Man Machine Poem, with In A World Possessed By The Human Mind, that was followed by What Blue, Tired as F-k, and Machine.
“It was patriotism at its best”, said Corey Rausch who travelled from Ottawa to see the show.
A big portion of the the country watching a homegrown group – Downie, Baker, guitarist Paul Langlois, bassist Gord Sinclair and drummer Johnny Fay – together on a small stage, quite possibly playing their last show together.
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They then embraced, stood arm-in-arm as the crowd roared, and then walked off stage for good.
