Courage: Canuck musicians, politicians tweet support for Gord Downie - Action News
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Courage: Canuck musicians, politicians tweet support for Gord Downie

News that Gord Downie has been diagnosed with a terminal form of brain cancer has elicited a sea of support from fans across the country and around the world. Many prominent Canucks, from Justin Trudeau to the Trailer Park Boys, have weighed in with their support, memories and favourite Tragically Hip tunes.

Tragically Hip announces their formidable frontman diagnosed with 'incurable' brain cancer

Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie, shown here performing with The Sadies, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. (ho-Norman Wong/Canadian Press)

News that Tragically Hip frontmanGord Downie has been diagnosed with aterminalform of brain cancerhas elicited a sea of support from fans across the country and around the world.

Many prominent Canadian musicians, artists and politicians have weighed in on the diagnosis, tweeting their support, memories and favourite Tragically Hip tunes.

Some have even rallied behind the hashtags "CourageForGord" and"Courage" named for the band's song, Courage (for Hugh MacLennan), the opening track oftheir1992 albumFully Completely.

Here are some notable Twitter tributes.

Musicians

There's no doubt Downie and the Hip have made a permanent stamp on Canada's musical landscape from their truly Canadian lyrics (thinkWheat Kings andBobcaygeon) to taking Canuck bands on the roadin their infancy and helping them build their careers, including Ron Sexsmith and Rheostatics' Dave Bidini.

The outpouring of reactions and well wishes from musicians spread from one side of the country to the other.

The band announced that despite the news, the Hip will be touring this summer with dates to be announced later this week. The band's new album,Man Machine Poem, will be released on June 17.

Politicians

Many prominentpoliticiansalso sent out messages of courage to Downie and his family, including the leaders of the three main federal political parties. Interim Conservative Leader Rona Ambrose even tweeted out her favourite song by the Hip. She called it "rotten news," saying that "cancer sucks."

Other political figures also weighed in too, including Bryan Paterson, the mayor of Kingston, where the band got its start. Paterson says the city will put a book outside his office on Wednesday, where Kingstonians can leave their well wishes.

Film and television

The condolences extended to the world of film and television. Downie has had a few acting stints over the years, appearing as a cop alongside Rush's Alex Lifeson in Trailer Park Boys: The Movie and as a retrospective biker in motorcycle road trip film One Week.

The Trailer Park Boys even starred in the music video for the Hip's song The Darkest One, which they tweeted out Tuesday afternoon.