They’re with the band: the five members of The Tragically Hip
Gordon Downie
The Kingston native, 52, is renowned for his electric stage performances. He’s been the band’s lead singer and driving force from the outset, writing the lyrics for all of their songs. Downie was studying film at Queen’s University when he formed the band in the summer of 1983. He’s also had a solo career, launching three albums since 2001, and has written a book of poetry and a book of prose.
Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in May, though his condition, glioblastoma, has been responding to treatment.
Gord Sinclair
Sinclair, 52, plays bass guitar and performs backup vocals. He was a history major at Queen’s University when the band first began to perform at clubs in the city.
“We’d do it for fun and play for free beer,” Sinclair said in a 1997 interview.
Paul Langlois
The 51-year-old guitarist and back-up vocalist is the latecomer to the band, joining in 1986 and replacing saxophonist Davis Manning.
“You can’t help but notice a lot of Canadian references in our music,” said Langlois in a 2000 interview with the Star.
Johnny Fay
The Hip’s 49-year-old drummer and percussionist was still in high school when he first signed up with the band. He once performed on a red drum set festooned with Canadian flags.
“We must be doing something right because people from Buffalo will drive down to Nashville to see us play,” Fay said in a 1999 interview with the Star.
Rob Baker
Known as Bobby until 1994, Baker, 54, plays guitar. Baker went to Kingston Collegiate with other band members before going to Queen’s University where he studied fine arts. In 1986, they recorded their first demos in the basement of Baker’s home.