Mayor John Tory is proclaiming Aug. 10 “Tragically Hip Day” as the band performs its final shows in Toronto this week.
The iconic Canadian rock band, formed in Kingston, announced earlier this year that it would hit the road for one final tour across Canada this summer after the band’s lead singer Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
In a proclamation drafted by the mayor, Tory says the band has “captured the hearts of Canadians” since the mid-80s.
“The Hip have accumulated 14 JUNO Awards, been inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award and was one of four Canadian bands honoured with a series of postage stamps from Canada Post,” Tory’s proclamation reads.
“After more than 30 years of dedication to music, The Hip have moved fans of all age groups. The spirit of The Tragically Hip will continue to inspire Canadian music lovers in Toronto and across the country.”
As part of the band’s final tour, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment has built a “tribute booth” outside the Air Canada Centre that will allow fans to record a video message about their favourite Tragically Hip moment.
Speaking to reporters outside the ACC Wednesday, Tory said the proclamation is just the city's way of thanking the band for its contribution to the Canadian music scene.
"They told Canadian stories in a Canadian way. Their songs were rich with all sorts of references to our country," Tory said.
"I thought it was important in Toronto that I was able to do that on behalf of all the fans... We will be hearing their music for a long time to come."
The Hip will perform at the ACC tonight, Friday and Sunday before moving on to Hamilton, Ottawa, and finally Kingston.
The band's final show in Kingston on Aug. 20 will be broadcast at various locations across the city, including the CNE Bandshell.
For those who couldn’t get their hands on tickets to see the band in concert one last time, The Hip will release 50 tickets on the day of each show through a ticket lottery.
The cut-off time for entry into the lottery is 11 a.m. on the day of the concert and winners will be notified via email by 1 p.m.
