[Moof_Milker]

Those images from the ARA tour in '93 are hilarious. Heksenketel was my introduction to live Tragically Hip...and Gord's appearance in that made a HUGE impression on me. His on-stage rants coupled with his appearance made me think he was an escaped mental patient. I couldn't wait to grow my hair and beard like the madman on stage I'd fallen in love with - and I did! In my mid-teens I rocked the shaggy hair and beard just so I could look like Gord. Gord's look has definitely become more refined in the last decade. The MMP tour look is one for the ages. Buffalo gets it.

[direwolf74]

Those images from the ARA tour in '93 are hilarious. Heksenketel was my introduction to live Tragically Hip...and Gord's appearance in that made a HUGE impression on me. His on-stage rants coupled with his appearance made me think he was an escaped mental patient.

I think the years '92 to around '98 was probably the peak of Gord's craziness in terms of rants and his on-stage persona. The guy was easily the most unique and entertaining rock n' roll frontman of that era (and still is to an extent). No one else came even close to matching his intensity, charisma, eccentricity, and effortless command of an audience. He was like Iggy Pop, Jim Morrison, Freddie Mercury, Tom Waits, and Bruce Springsteen all rolled into one.

[Killer Whale Tank]

Yep, I'm no rock historian, but for my money Gord is easily up there with the most charismatic, riveting front men in the history of rock and roll.

[potsie]

His on-stage rants coupled with his appearance made me think he was an escaped mental patient.

Indeed! He's dressed in Jack Nicholson's asylum clothes from "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest".

[potsie]

I think the years '92 to around '98 was probably the peak of Gord's craziness in terms of rants and his on-stage persona. The guy was easily the most unique and entertaining rock n' roll frontman of that era (and still is to an extent). No one else came even close to matching his intensity, charisma, eccentricity, and effortless command of an audience. He was like Iggy Pop, Jim Morrison, Freddie Mercury, Tom Waits, and Bruce Springsteen all rolled into one.

:thumb: :thumb:
Freddie Mercury gave the masterclass in audience command during his performance at Live Aid at Wembley in '85. But Gord has that ability, and all the others you mention, in spades.

Yep, I'm no rock historian, but for my money Gord is easily up there with the most charismatic, riveting front men in the history of rock and roll.

Damn straight!

[sean.bonner]

Freddie Mercury gave the masterclass in audience command during his performance at Live Aid at Wembley in '85. But Gord has that ability, and all the others you mention, in spades.

Sometimes The Hip comes up in conversation (I know right?). Some people who have never seen him would ask me what he's like like in concert.

'It's like watching Freddie Mercury.'

I hope I convinced a few people to go check out the show.

[youtube]k8kDO7eIJKk[/youtube]

[Killer Whale Tank]

Like Freddy Mercury...but actually singing good songs. :wink:

[swm]

Fond of the string tie in the real early years;

early_GD.jpg Size: 41.62 KB  Downloads: 110

Forgive me.

[chagrinfalls]

Fond of the string tie in the real early years;
[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]
Forgive me.

The early 1990's were a bit of a lost period in terms of Gord's fashion sense. Some of the ARA stage outfits were awful

Yeah....those early years. Um...I'll quote John Galsworthy:

"The beginnings and endings of all human undertakings are untidy."

.

[spottrax]

I know we're getting far from the original thread (the wall mural) but when it comes to front men GD is second to none as far as entertainment value. I was lucky to have seen Freddie Mercury live one time (Sept 80) and he was magnificent. Him and Downie are two very different front guys though. Mercury's charm was two fold 1. He had pipes that nearly nobody could touch with a range that was truly unmatched for a rock singer. 2. (Because of Queen's huge popularity and hits) Most everything Freddie did was scripted (or choreographed). Our beloved Downie on the other hand was wildly unpredictable (especially during the 90's). The rants, the crazy dancing, the vaudeville-ness of it was so different than what the other great front men were (are) doing. He certainly belongs right next to Eddie Vedder and Bruce Springsteen. IMO, those are the big three. Had Mercury lived longer, it would be interesting to see how he evolved (listening to a great deal of live recordings, I believe his voice would've given him troubles as he got older). GD had to deal with this to a degree but that's for another thread

[andrew sharpe]

RIP thread.

Reviewers always compared live Gord to Jim Morrison but I never really got that. Gord is a far more interesting, original and creative performer. The only real comparison I can think of that does Gord any justice is Screamin Jay Hawkins:

[youtube]7kGPhpvqtOc[/youtube]

[cochise]

Gord getting all the accolades for styles and looks over the years, poor Rob being all forgotten about. From 15 buttoned suits, to shimmering skull buttoned blazers, to cheetah prints, to paisley shirts, to bulging skinny jeans, he's had his own flare through the years as well! :thumb:

[spottrax]

RIP thread.

Reviewers always compared live Gord to Jim Morrison but I never really got that. Gord is a far more interesting, original and creative performer. The only real comparison I can think of that does Gord any justice is Screamin Jay Hawkins:

[youtube]7kGPhpvqtOc[/youtube]

I think Morrison and Downie are linked by the Poetic nature of their lyrics and by a few similar dance moves (no doubt Gord swiped some off him). That's about it though IMO . Gord Downie usually keeps things light and even humorous at times. Morrison was based on Sex and Romance (and pushing boundries for the sake of it). Screamin J.....lol too funny.