The Tragically Hip

Over the course of nearly two decades and over ten albums, Canada’s The Tragically Hip has achieved the enviable status of beloved band—one that enjoys both mass popularity and critical acclaim.

Formed in 1983 in Kingston, Ontario, The Tragically Hip came together as childhood friends: Gordon Downie (vocals), Bobby Baker (guitar), Paul Langlois (guitar), Gord Sinclair (bass), and Johnny Fay (drums). The group took their name from a Michael Nesmith video entitled Elephant Parts and focused on making a name for themselves in the local scene during the mid-'80s. A self-titled EP was released in 1987, but it took the band two years to get critical attention. After the release of their first proper studio album Up to Here (1989), college radio was instantly attracted to The Tragically Hip.

Downie recalls the days of discovery and wonder that were the late '80s for The Tragically Hip. "We didn't have a lot of guile, and some say we still don't," he says. "Every whiff of interest or approval distilled itself into confidence, and anything that wasn't confidence was just well-disguised insecurity. We also had a very self-deprecating sense of humour, collectively, so we turned all those kinds of sad-sack stories into tales of triumph. Heading onto the stage then, we were grateful for every friend we had."

The band's third album, Fully Completely (1993), allowed for international crossover with singles such as "Courage" and "Wheat Kings”. While sold-out tours across Canada and Midwest America, and a spot on Saturday Night Live catapulted The Tragically Hip onto the rock charts. Phantom Power (1998) was recorded in the band's hometown of Kingston and the songs themselves were cathartic and seductive. "Fireworks" and "Poets" were again popular on college radio.

In 2004 The Tragically Hip released their tenth full-length album, In Between Evolution, the band’s most introspective work yet. The following year saw the release of Hipeponymous, a limited-edition box set that included the two-disc greatest-hits compilation Yer Favorites and the live DVD That Night in Toronto, as well as a bonus DVD of all of the group's videos.

In April 2005, The Tragically Hip were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame at the Winnipeg Convention Centre during Juno Weekend celebrations.

In 2016, the band announced that Gord Downie had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and they embarked on a farewell tour across Canada, culminating in a final concert in their hometown of Kingston. The concert was broadcast live across Canada and was viewed by millions of people. Downie passed away in 2017, but the legacy of The Tragically Hip continues to be celebrated by their fans across Canada and around the world.