History of Gord Downie in Timeline

Gord Downie was a highly influential Canadian rock singer-songwriter, musician, writer, poet, and activist. Best known as the frontman and lyricist of the iconic Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip from 1984 until his death in 2017, Downie was deeply admired for his evocative lyrics, captivating stage presence, and passionate advocacy for Indigenous issues. He is widely considered one of the most important figures in Canadian music history, leaving a lasting legacy through his artistry and activism.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Legacy & Impact

February 6, 1964: Gordon Downie Born

On February 6, 1964, Gordon Edgar Downie was born. He would later become a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, musician, writer, poet, and activist, most famously known as the singer and lyricist for The Tragically Hip.

Others born on this day/year

1984: Formation of The Tragically Hip

In 1984, Gord Downie fronted the Canadian rock band, The Tragically Hip, from its formation until his death in 2017.

1986: Manning Leaves, Langlois Joins Tragically Hip

In 1986, Davis Manning left the Tragically Hip, and Paul Langlois joined as guitarist-vocalist.

1986: Downie Graduates from Queen's University

In 1986, Gord Downie graduated from Queen's University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in film studies.

2001: Downie releases Coke Machine Glow

In 2001, Gord Downie began his solo career with the release of his album and poetry collection Coke Machine Glow.

2003: Release of Battle of the Nudes

In 2003, Gord Downie released his second solo album, Battle of the Nudes, before returning to the studio with the Tragically Hip.

2008: Downie Guest Vocalist on City and Colour's Single

In 2008, Gord Downie appeared as a guest vocalist on City and Colour's single "Sleeping Sickness".

2008: Cameo Appearance in Nothing Really Matters

In 2008, Gord Downie made a cameo appearance in the indie drama Nothing Really Matters, directed by Jean-Marc Piché.

2010: Release of The Grand Bounce

In 2010, Gord Downie released his third solo album, The Grand Bounce, credited as Gord Downie and the Country of Miracles.

February 2012: Performance at the Great Moon Gathering

In February 2012, Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip played at the Great Moon Gathering in Fort Albany, Ontario, an educational conference focused on Cree education.

2014: Guest Vocalist on "The Art of Patrons"

In 2014, Gord Downie appeared as a guest vocalist on "The Art of Patrons", a song from Fucked Up's album Glass Boys.

2014: Release of 'And the Conquering Sun' Album with the Sadies

In 2014, Gord Downie released an album with the Sadies called And the Conquering Sun.

2014: Release of And the Conquering Sun

In 2014, Gord Downie released the album And the Conquering Sun.

2014: Downie Tour with The Sadies

In 2014, Gord Downie toured with The Sadies following the release of 'And the Conquering Sun'.

December 2015: Downie Diagnosed with Brain Tumour

In December 2015, shortly after attending his father's funeral, Gord Downie was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.

2015: Separation from Laura Usher

In 2015, Gord Downie and Laura Usher separated before his cancer diagnosis but remained close friends.

May 2016: Downie Receives Honorary Degree from Queen's University

In May 2016, Gord Downie and his bandmates received honorary degrees from Queen's University, though Downie was unable to attend due to his illness.

May 24, 2016: Diagnosis Publicly Announced

On May 24, 2016, The Tragically Hip announced that Gord Downie had been diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour.

September 2016: Announcement of 'Secret Path' Solo Album

In September 2016, Gord Downie announced the upcoming release of his new solo album, Secret Path, in October, accompanied by a graphic novel and an animated television film.

October 13, 2016: Founding of the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund

On October 13, 2016, Gord Downie and his brother Mike, along with the Wenjack family, announced the founding of the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund to support reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.

December 6, 2016: Downie Honored by Assembly of First Nations

On December 6, 2016, at the Assembly of First Nations in Gatineau, Quebec, National Chief Perry Bellegarde honored Gord Downie with an eagle feather and bestowed on him the honorary aboriginal name Wicapi Omani, meaning "man who walks among the stars."

December 22, 2016: Downie Selected as Canadian Newsmaker of the Year

On December 22, 2016, Gord Downie was selected as The Canadian Press's Canadian Newsmaker of the Year, the first entertainer to be selected for the title.

2016: Roy Thomson Hall Performance

Gord Downie performed his album Secret Path live at Roy Thomson Hall in 2016.

2016: Release of Secret Path

In 2016, Gord Downie released his album Secret Path.

2016: Man Machine Poem Tour

In summer 2016, Gord Downie toured with The Tragically Hip to support their 13th studio album, Man Machine Poem. The tour's final concert was viewed by an estimated 11.7 million people.

2016: The Tragically Hip's Summer Tour

In the summer of 2016, the Tragically Hip had a cross-Canada farewell concert tour.

February 2, 2017: Downie joins Blue Rodeo onstage

On February 2, 2017, Gord Downie joined Blue Rodeo onstage at Massey Hall for a performance of Blue Rodeo's song "Lost Together". This was his last public performance before his death.

June 19, 2017: Downie Appointed Member of the Order of Canada

On June 19, 2017, Gord Downie, along with his Tragically Hip bandmates, was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.

July 2, 2017: Downie Speaks Out for Indigenous Youth

On July 2, 2017, Gord Downie spoke out for Canada's young Indigenous people on Parliament Hill.

September 2017: Announcement of Introduce Yerself

In September 2017, Gord Downie announced what would be his final solo double-album, Introduce Yerself.

September 2017: Premiere of Long Time Running

In September 2017, the documentary film Long Time Running, about the Tragically Hip's summer 2016 farewell concert tour, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.

October 17, 2017: Death of Gord Downie

On October 17, 2017, Gord Downie passed away. He was the singer and lyricist for the Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip from its formation in 1984 until his death.

October 27, 2017: Release of Introduce Yerself

On October 27, 2017, ten days after Gord Downie's death, his final solo double-album titled Introduce Yerself was released.

December 2017: Downie Named Canadian Newsmaker of the Year for Second Time

In December 2017, Gord Downie was again named Canadian Newsmaker of the Year, in recognition of the public reaction to his death.

December 2017: Poet Laureate of Ontario Act Introduced

In December 2017, Percy Hatfield introduced the bill Poet Laureate of Ontario Act In Memory of Gord Downie to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario.

December 24, 2017: Release of 'A National Celebration' on DVD

On December 24, 2017, the final concert of The Tragically Hip was released on DVD under the title A National Celebration.

2017: Release of Introduce Yerself

In 2017, shortly after his death, Gord Downie's album Introduce Yerself hit number one.

2018: Posthumous Canadian Screen Awards for Secret Path

At the 6th Canadian Screen Awards in 2018, Gord Downie posthumously won two Canadian Screen Awards for the television version of Secret Path. It won the Donald Brittain Award for Best Political or Social Documentary Program and Best Music in a Non-Fiction Program.

2018: Juno Awards

At the Juno Awards of 2018, Gord Downie's album Introduce Yerself won Adult Alternative Album of the Year, Downie and Drew won Songwriter of the Year, and Downie won Artist of the Year.

2018: Release of "The East Wind" and "At the Quinte Hotel" on The Al Purdy Songbook

In 2018, two recordings by Gord Downie, "The East Wind" and "At the Quinte Hotel", were included on the compilation album 'The Al Purdy Songbook'.

December 2019: Passage of Poet Laureate of Ontario Act

In December 2019, the Poet Laureate of Ontario Act In Memory of Gord Downie was passed, establishing the Poet Laureate of Ontario.

2019: Additional Awards for Gord Downie's Secret Path in Concert

At the 7th Canadian Screen Awards in 2019, Gord Downie's Secret Path in Concert won two additional awards.

June 2020: Tragically Hip "archaeological dig" announced

In June 2020, The Tragically Hip and their manager Jake Gold revealed plans for an "archaeological dig" to unearth music and memorabilia from the band's archives for future release.

2020: Release of Away Is Mine

In 2020, Gord Downie's album Away Is Mine was released posthumously.

2021: Usher Releases Debut Album

In 2021, under the stage name Kaya Usher, Laura Usher released her debut album as a singer, All This Is, with the participation of two of their four children, some tracks feature her performing with a guitar that once belonged to Downie.

October 2022: Release of "Lustre Parfait" as Album Preview

In October 2022, Gord Downie's song "Lustre Parfait" was released to streaming services. This release served as a preview for the upcoming album 'Lustre Parfait,' which features previously unreleased songs recorded with Bob Rock.

May 5, 2023: Release of Lustre Parfait Album

On May 5, 2023, the album 'Lustre Parfait,' comprising previously unreleased songs by Gord Downie recorded with Bob Rock, was released.

2023: Release of Lustre Parfait

In 2023, Gord Downie's album Lustre Parfait was released posthumously.

2025: Downie featured on Rheostatics' album

In 2025, a spoken-word piece by Gord Downie, originally performed at a benefit for Lake Ontario Waterkeeper in the 2000s, was featured with new musical accompaniment on Rheostatics' album 'The Great Lakes Suite'.

February 2026: Release of Live at 6 O'Clock album

In February 2026, 'Live at 6 O'Clock', an album featuring live performances from Gord Downie's 2014 tour with The Sadies, which followed the release of 'And the Conquering Sun', was released.