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While not the perfect Tragically Hip comeback tour, it’s the next best thing.
The tragedy of the Hip is not just the devastating loss of Gord Downie, who died far too young of brain cancer at the age of 53, but also that his death meant millions of fans will never see the band perform in its entirety again.
So, it’s only fitting that it would take a Downie to help put the band back on top in the world of rock ‘n’ roll once again.
For decades, it was the great Gord Downie who did his much-celebrated part in achieving that before his death in 2017. In 2024, it is his older brother who is helping shine the spotlight back on this iconic band — not from the front of the lens, but from behind it.
The release of No Dress Rehearsal, the definitive Mike Downie-directed documentary on the Hip being showcased now on Amazon Prime, has not only brought his younger brother’s legacy back to the forefront, but also pumped fresh air into the other band members’ tires, as well.
“They are great musicians and I came to understand the different pieces they all brought to it,” said Mike in an interview. “I guess I knew that, but I really got to understand that in the making of this film.”
This documentary has helped reunite Paul Langlois, Gord Sinclair, Johnny Fay and Rob Baker with their fans. But Mike said a lot of the credit should go to Hip manager Jake Gold.
“Jake coming back into their lives in 2020 was the biggest factor,” said Mike.
Seemingly a little lost, the big question for the surviving members after Gord’s death was, “What do we do as a band?”
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Gold, said Mike, knew what they should do — cement their place and “legacy” in Canadian history. This documentary was a start. Mike, who had done many other projects — including one on Blue Rodeo — suggested the Hip “need a definitive documentary” that “really goes into every corner.”
Mike needed it, too.
“You want to talk about my brother. How many hours do you have? We can talk about him all day. And I got to that with the guys in the band.”
But he also got to talk with the band and about their lives.
“I knew things from Gord’s perspective, but that was Gord’s,” said Mike. “I wanted to hear their stories and get an idea of what this was to them — from high school, from the very earliest beginnings.”
They all nailed it. Amazing moments. Tough moments. Tragic ones.
There is not one ounce of sugar-coating or exaggeration in this documentary. Straight from the heart and in true Canadian style, it is as raw and real as storytelling can get. While it did win the prestigious People’s Choice award at the Toronto International Film Festival, Mike said he realized he had made a “family movie” for the Hip and for the whole Canadian family.
That large family — many of the 11 million Canucks who watched that tearful but triumphant final show in Kingston in 2016 — have responded. Since it came out at TIFF, it has been at the top of the streaming charts and drawing rave reviews and attention.
“I have never experienced something like this before,” said Mike, adding it has not been a time of celebration or self-appreciation since this is a “very sad story” and a strong realization that “I miss my brother.”
While this film has in essence breathed new life into the story of Gord and the Hip, it may also lead into other projects to help showcase other amazing Canadians.
“Inspired by my brother and inspired by The Tragically Hip,” there are “more great Canadian stories to tell,” he said.
Whatever happens next, Mike said the positive is he got to know and understand each member of the Hip better: “That was a real treat.”
The big question on Hip fans’ minds is what do they do next? Could this hot new documentary be a catalyst to some sort of new formulation of the legendary band, which could see them on stage playing again?
“You know, time is a funny thing,” said Mike. “It’s been seven years since Gordie passed, and I don’t know.”
Fans know “this isn’t a normal situation,” Mike said, because “you are talking about probably the greatest frontman this country has ever seen and will ever see … So, I do think it will be pretty hard to do, (but) at the same time that music is so fantastic.”
And people want to hear it again — live.
Since Gord’s death, the Hip put out the previously unreleased song Wait So Long, the Saskadelphia EP and have a new book, This is Our Life, which will see them in conversation with talented singer and broadcaster Tara Slone on Nov. 1 at Massey Hall.
With the creative juices flowing again, who knows? Could the next step be jamming together some more, writing together, and perhaps playing live together again? Perhaps it starts spontaneously at Massey Hall.
There’s been no indication of that. Speaking from this fan’s perspective, I think it would not only be embraced, but would be a nice fifth part to add to Mike Downie’s already stunning documentary.
Of course, there is no replacing his brother, Gord.
No one would try. But I have heard Sinclair, Langlois and Baker perform Hip songs at events or on social media, including Wheat Kings and Ahead by a Century, and could see the band members easily sing these songs — with the help of the audience.
They could also bring guest singers — like when Feist joined the surviving members of the band to sing It’s a Good Life if You Don’t Weaken at the 2021 Juno Awards — in for certain songs in every city. Suddenly, just like that, the band is back on stage where they belong.
It would be a solemn tribute to Gord. Many fans want it to happen. But what does Mike think?
“I will tell you this. Whatever they decide — the four surviving members — I will be supportive of,” said Mike. “I think they will figure it for themselves.”
For now, fans have their three decades of music as the soundtrack to their lives — as well as this documentary — which has put The Tragically Hip front and centre again.
Wonder what’s next?