A decade has passed since The Tragically Hip’s final performance in Kingston, Ontario, but Paul Langlois admits that he has not fully come to terms with it. The guitarist expressed his disbelief during an interview with CBC’s Eli Glasner on “The National” Thursday evening, reflecting on the band’s last show and its impact on fans.
The emotional night saw lead singer Gord Downie bid farewell to a packed crowd at Kingston’s Rogers K-Rock Centre (now known as Slush Puppi Place), with fans and Downie sharing tears as he sang iconic hits like “Ahead by a Century” and “Bobcaygeon” for the last time.
Formed in 1984, The Tragically Hip released 13 studio albums before embarking on their final tour in 2016, culminating in a hometown show on August 20. Downie, diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in December 2015, passed away just over a year later at the age of 53.
To mark the 10th anniversary of the band’s last concert, CBC will rebroadcast the event on Saturday under the title “The Tragically Hip: A National Celebration.” Guitarist Rob Baker expressed gratitude for the continued support from fans, emphasizing that the occasion is more about remembrance than celebration.
Langlois recalled his initial unease before the final performance, only to be uplifted by Downie’s positive outlook during the soundcheck. Baker, focused on supporting his bandmate, shared the challenges of concealing his emotions on stage to fulfill Downie’s wishes.
Despite initial concerns about Downie’s health affecting the tour, band members witnessed his physical improvement throughout the farewell performances. Reflecting on the unexpected magnitude of the final show, Langlois and Baker acknowledged the profound impact it had on Canadians.
While the band has ruled out a reunion, they recently released a new album titled “Live July 22 – August 20, 2016,” featuring recordings from the 2016 tour. Baker highlighted the healing power of music, recounting a poignant moment with Downie that underscored the therapeutic nature of music in processing emotions.