Canada's Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie dies PM weeps
Gord Downie
TORONTO (Reuters) - The death of Tragically Hip frontman  Gord Downie   a music superstar beloved for songs about culture  small towns and hockey  triggered an outpouring of tributes and grief across Canada on Wednesday.
Weeping openly  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters that he had drawn strength and inspiration from the nation’s best known songwriter. At his final concert in August 2016  televised nationally  Trudeau had joined  Downie  on stage in tribute.
“We are less of a country without  Gord Downie  in it ” Trudeau said in Parliament.
 Downie  was known for  his  frenetic stage presence and telling long stories in the middle of songs. Formed in the 1980s with roots in blues and rock  the Tragically Hip found radio popularity on both classic and alternative rock stations.
The Hip  as it was widely known  held an emotional farewell tour last year after  Downie ’s cancer was revealed  with the band’s last hometown show in Kingston  Ontario  billed as a national celebration.
A book of condolence is pictured at a makeshift memorial for the late Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie in Kingston  Ontario  Canada October 18  2017. REUTERS/Chris Wattie
On Wednesday  radio stations played Tragically Hip songs as news of his death spread across the country  and tributes poured in on social media as Canadians remembered their encounters with  Downie .
The National Hockey League Players’ Association tweeted thanks to  Downie   saying  his  music was “the soundtrack of car rides to practices  bus trips to tournaments  and dressing rooms across Canada. Hockey was part of you and you will always be part of hockey.”
Perry Bellegarde  national chief of the Assembly of First Nations  tweeted prayers for  Downie ’s family  adding that “our hearts break on news of the passing of ... an ally and friend.”
 Downie  had become an outspoken supporter of Canada’s indigenous people  penning songs about the painful legacy of colonialism and urging Canadians toward reconciliation.
In their statement   Downie ’s family said the singer had spent his last days making music and memories with family and friends.
“Thank you everyone for all the respect  admiration and love you have given  Gord  throughout the years - those tender offerings touched  his  heart and  he  takes them with  him  now as  he  walks among the stars ” the statement said.
TORONTO (Reuters) - The death of Tragically Hip frontman  [TGT]   a music superstar beloved for songs about culture  small towns and hockey  triggered an outpouring of tributes and grief across Canada on Wednesday.
Weeping openly  Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters that he had drawn strength and inspiration from the nation’s best known songwriter. At his final concert in August 2016  televised nationally  Trudeau had joined  Downie  on stage in tribute.
“We are less of a country without  [TGT]  in it ” Trudeau said in Parliament.
 Downie  was known for  his  frenetic stage presence and telling long stories in the middle of songs. Formed in the 1980s with roots in blues and rock  the Tragically Hip found radio popularity on both classic and alternative rock stations.
The Hip  as it was widely known  held an emotional farewell tour last year after  Downie ’s cancer was revealed  with the band’s last hometown show in Kingston  Ontario  billed as a national celebration.
A book of condolence is pictured at a makeshift memorial for the late Tragically Hip frontman [TGT] in Kingston  Ontario  Canada October 18  2017. REUTERS/Chris Wattie
On Wednesday  radio stations played Tragically Hip songs as news of his death spread across the country  and tributes poured in on social media as Canadians remembered their encounters with  Downie .
The National Hockey League Players’ Association tweeted thanks to  Downie   saying  his  music was “the soundtrack of car rides to practices  bus trips to tournaments  and dressing rooms across Canada. Hockey was part of you and you will always be part of hockey.”
Perry Bellegarde  national chief of the Assembly of First Nations  tweeted prayers for  Downie ’s family  adding that “our hearts break on news of the passing of ... an ally and friend.”
 Downie  had become an outspoken supporter of Canada’s indigenous people  penning songs about the painful legacy of colonialism and urging Canadians toward reconciliation.
In their statement   Downie ’s family said the singer had spent his last days making music and memories with family and friends.
“Thank you everyone for all the respect  admiration and love you have given  Gord  throughout the years - those tender offerings touched  his  heart and  he  takes them with  him  now as  he  walks among the stars ” the statement said.