Remembering Gord Downie

Gord Downie, the frontman for seminal Canadian band Tragically Hip, has died at the age of 53. As the CBC reports, Downie had been battling an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer called glioblastoma, which was discovered after he suffered a seizure in December 2015. Downie died Tuesday night, surrounded by his children and family, according to a statement from the Downie family, posted on the band’s website.

“Gord knew this day was coming — his response was to spend this precious time as he always had — making music, making memories and expressing deep gratitude to his family and friends for a life well lived, often sealing it with a kiss… on the lips,” the statement said.

Canadians learned of Downie’s illness on May 24 last year — the same day the rest of the rock group, Paul Langlois, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay, announced that the Kingston, Ont.-based band would head out on a final summer tour “for Gord, and for all of us.” The final Tragically Hip concert was held in Kingston on August 20 and was broadcast by CBC.