Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder pays tribute to Gord Downie at Chicago concert

Performing the band’s final concert of its 15 date Man Machine Poem tour, the Hip and CBC partnered to bring Canadians closer to Canada’s band for a commercial-free concert called “A National Celebration”.

About one in three Canadians tuned in for the Tragically Hip’s poignant show in the band’s hometown of Kingston, Ontario.

And not Canada’s rock star Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who bounced up and down like a frat boy, swigging beer, shaking his trademark curls and pumping his fist in his box in the K Rock overlooking the miraculous scene the entire night.

We can leave the analytical essays to the national press, but, locally, it’s fair to say that the concert created a flawless slice of Whistler at its summertime best. “We have both been to multiple concerts over the years, but nothing like we are going to share tonight”. He’s got everybody. He’s going to take us where we need to go.It’s going to take us 100 years to figure out what the hell went on up there, but it isn’t cool and everybody knows that.

After returning for a few more songs, Downie again spoke about his fondness for Trudeau.

The singer thanked Trudeau repeatedly for coming to the show, but also for taking steps to address the long-standing concerns of a community he feels has been overlooked. During the night, the band had surrendered centre stage to Downie so he could mouth his good byes, blow kisses and bask in the love the fans hold for him.

Gord Downie, the Hip’s 52-year-old frontman, was diagnosed with glioblastoma, a type of brain tumour that is hard to treat and has a poor prognosis.

The band’s 13th studio album Man Machine Poem was released in June.

The show was closed out by fan favorite “Ahead By A Century”.

It’s telling that a city like Regina, where the culture always seems to be catching up, sold out viewing parties for the show and many a family room was full, eyes trained on the television.

They then embraced, stood arm-in-arm as the crowd roared, and then walked off stage for good.

The band played a 30-song set and Downie, 52, said to the Kingston audience: “Thank you, people, for keeping me pushing and keeping me pushing”.