[senrab]

I am so saddened by this. I usually do not get emotional over people I have never met, but this one is different. My dad died of GBM in 2002 and this news is bringing up shit for me. He only lasted 8 months. Unfortunately it is as bad a tumor as Gord's oncologist described in his press conference this morning. Even if they remove most of it, it will always come back. However - I am encouraged when they said that Gord has the genetic marker that shows a greater chance of resilience to the disease, and that he actually rallied after the chemotherapy. The chemo left my dad incapacitated. I do know of a man (who my aunt knows) who has been living on borrowed time with GBM for 7 years now. There is always a chance, even if it looks insurmountable.

Incidentally, my father's middle name happened to be Gordon, and his father's first name was Gordon. I wish I had been able to see them live more often. I remember listening to them on the radio all the time when I was growing up in Buffalo, but I think I was really won over after seeing his performance at that War Child Benefit concert (the one shortly after 9/11) as well as hearing It's a Good Life if You Don't Weaken the next year. I live about 8-9 hours from southern Ontario so I don't think I will be able to make this last go-round, and I refuse to pay a scalper for something like this. So I'll just keep the Fully Completely show I saw last April in my mind forever.

Other Hip memories:
- waiting for the World Container import album to arrive at the Record Theatre stores in Buffalo because the 2006 "October Surprise" storm delayed their arrival
- screaming at the top of his lungs during Grace Too for no reason
- a lovely joint session/conversation with him and Gordon Lightfoot in 2010 (?)
- the Buffalo show in 2011 when Gord was obsessed with the Skyway, and the Chinese sky lanterns "OH my God!!!!!!! It's a breakaway firework! He doesn't wanna be in the show any MO!"
- the 2013 rainout Buffalo show where they valiantly pressed on for 1/4 of it before Gord announced, "apparently there can be problems with lots of electrical equipment and large quantities of water! Who knew??"
- spotting people at shows in DC wearing Sabres jerseys

Here's a pic I took at the show in NYC in Terminal 5 in 2012. I think it illustrates his spirit & energy on stage, especially with the massive lights shining down on him. My thoughts are with him, his family, and the band.