Statement says Canadian singer ‘has been fighting hard’
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By Laura Fraser, CBC News May 24, 2016 5:53 AM ET
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Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has been diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer, his neuro-oncologist confirmed Tuesday. (Frank Gunn/Canadian PRess)
Gord Downie, the lead singer and lyricist of the iconic Canadian rock band the Tragically Hip, announced this morning he has terminal brain cancer, but still plans to join his bandmates of more than 30 years for a summer tour.
The band posted the news of Downie’s illness on its website this morning and their band manager will release more details at a press conference at Sunnybrook Hospital at 11 a.m.
Downie was diagnosed with the disease in December, the statement says.
“Since then, obviously, he’s endured a lot of difficult times, and he has been fighting hard. In privacy along with his family, and through all of this, we’ve been standing by him.”
Downie, 52, and Laura Leigh Usher have four children.
Despite the diagnosis, The Hip announced it will “dig deep” and hit the road together this summer. The details of that tour should be released later this week, according to the band.
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