A decade has passed since The Tragically Hip’s final concert in Kingston, Ontario, but Paul Langlois admits he is still coming to terms with it. The guitarist reflected on the milestone during an interview with CBC’s Eli Glasner on “The National” Thursday evening. Langlois expressed his gratitude for the band’s impact on fans, acknowledging the emotional significance of their last performance.
The night of the farewell show was poignant as lead singer Gord Downie bid farewell to the audience in Kingston’s Rogers K-Rock Centre, now known as Slush Puppi Place, in 2016. The atmosphere was filled with both sorrow and joy as Downie delivered heartfelt renditions of classics like “Ahead by a Century” and “Bobcaygeon” for the final time.
Formed in 1984, The Tragically Hip completed their final tour in 2016, culminating in a hometown show on August 20 of that year. Downie had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in December 2015 and sadly passed away a little over a year later at the age of 53.
To mark the 10th anniversary of this significant event, CBC will re-air the band’s last concert on Saturday. The rebroadcast of “The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration” aims to honor the band’s legacy and pay tribute to Downie’s memory.
Reflecting on the experience, guitarist Rob Baker shared his perspective on the final tour, emphasizing the importance of supporting Downie in realizing his final wish. Despite the emotional challenges, Baker remained focused on his role in ensuring the success of each performance.
The band members initially had concerns about Downie’s health impacting the tour, but they noticed an improvement in his condition as the farewell shows progressed. Looking back, Langlois mentioned that the band had not anticipated the widespread impact of their final performance until after the fact.
Although there are no plans for a reunion, The Tragically Hip recently released a new album titled “Live July 22 – August 20, 2016,” featuring recordings from their 2016 tour. Baker highlighted the healing power of music, citing personal experiences where music played a significant role in processing emotions and providing comfort during difficult times.