Download EXPERT ADVISORY Brock professor calls Tragically Hip`s concert

Brock University
Niagara Region
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EXPERT ADVISORY
R00109
24 May 2016
Brock University — Communications & Public Affairs
Brock professor calls Tragically Hip’s concert plans
historic A Brock University professor says the farewell tour about to be embarked on by
Tragically Hip and lead singer Gord Downie will be “off the scale.”
The band and it’s legendary frontman Downie have played a pivotal role in the
history of Canadian music, says Brock Communication Pop Culture and Film
associate professor Scott Henderson.
The reaction across the country to Tuesday’s news that Downie has an
incurable brain tumour has been that of complete shock. The 52 year old first
noticed symptoms in December and has been receiving treatment ever since.
Unfortunately, Downie’s neurologist at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto said
Tuesday the singer’s tumour is one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer
and the diagnosis is terminal. Henderson said the Tragically Hip have left an indelible mark on Canadian
music.
“Ikindofwonderwhatwewouldhavewithoutthem,”hesaid.“Downie’s
lyrics and his ability to impart Canadiana into his music … it took that rock
blues style and focused it in on interpreting and representing Canada.”
Tragically Hip said in a statement it intends to go on tour in Canada and that it
will announce the schedule Wednesday morning.
Henderson said that type of final tour is unprecedented, and he expects ticket
demand to be massive.
“We’ve seen older bands go on the road for a final tour, but this kind of finality,
I can’t think of a band that has done this, where there is this certainty to it,”
he says. “I really don’t know if it’s going to be maudlin or celebratory. But the
reception will be rapturous.”
Henderson is available for in-person, Skype and phone-in media interviews.
For more information or for assistance arranging interviews: * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University [email protected],
905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970
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