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The Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has passed away

There's been an outpouring of emotional tributes from fans like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Rachel Kraus

on October 18, 2017

The Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has passed away

Rest in Peace, Gord Downie. Credit: Marcus Oleniuk/Toronto Star via Getty Images

Beloved Canadian rock star Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip passed away Tuesday night at the age of 53. He had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in December of 2015.

The band has issued a statement on social media from the Downie family emphasizing how Downie spent the last years of his life surrounded by music, family, and friends.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau delivered a televised statement on Downie's passing, during which he was unable to hold back tears.

"We are less of a country without Gord Downie in it, even though we all knew it was coming," Prime Minister Trudeau said.

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An alt-rock band whose career spanned more than three decades, The Tragically Hip had a prolific output of 14 studio albums, two live albums, one EP, and 54 singles.

Downie publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis in May 2016. He and his band played an emotional farewell concert in August 2016 in the singer's hometown of Kingston, Ontario.

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Since Downie's passing, there has been an outpouring of emotional tributes on social media from politicians, organizations, celebrities, and fans.

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Rest in peace, Gord. You will be missed.

Topics Music Celebrities

Rachel Kraus

Rachel Kraus is a Mashable Tech Reporter specializing in health and wellness. She is an LA native, NYU j-school graduate, and writes cultural commentary across the internetz.