[edgoffin]

There has been nothing about the tour announcement, album release, set lists, or (lack of) media availability that makes me think there will be more shows. Even the merchandise is very retrospective.

That said, great opportunity to celebrate the band. If this has been a send-off, could not script it better. If not, I will be thankful for more music. This has also been a kick in the ass to make sure you enjoy life, appreciate the small things, b less stressed about the details.

[direwolf74]

I was just thinking about this yesterday. Yes, the Hip have never, ever said this is their "final" tour; and yes, every last thing about the way they have approached this tour does indeed suggest that they ARE approaching it as their final tour. And without question, this is how the fans and media have understood it - which is quite appropriate, given that latter fact. After all, it's very unlikely the CBC would be broadcasting the final show of the tour if it were "just another tour."

Also, the way in which Gord has remained on the stage at the end of each show for long periods, waving, thanking the fans for all the support over the years, etc.. and the heavy emotions he's shown on stage. It most definitely seems like he's saying goodbye and that this is likely the last Hip tour. He certainly wouldn't be doing that if this were just another regular tour.

The question, then, is: what if Gord does go on to live for many more years, as we all hope? Two years from now, do the Hip reassemble and embark on *another* 'maybe final' tour? cratch: If so, will audiences embrace it as an incredibly lucky chance to go at it again, or will people tune out, sated by all the drama from this tour, and revert back to the level of indifference that had settled over the Hip prior to Gord's diagnosis?

Or, is it possible that Gord will approach this tour and album as having closed the book on the 'Hip' phase of his career - promises fulfilled, duty done - and just make solo records/collaborations on an ad-hoc basis for as long as fate allows? I wonder about that. If I were him, I'd be sorely tempted to keep it local, just work with the Skydiggers or whoever happens to be around in TO, and forego all the hooplah (and pressure) around the Hip, given the health condition.

The way this is all playing out, I doubt we'll see another Hip tour after this. Would I love to see them hit the road again in the future provided Gord is able? Of course I would. I think we all would. But realistically I just don't see it happening. That being said, I do think there's a strong possibility of more new music in the near future. Maybe not in the form of a Hip album, but it wouldn't surprise me at all to see another Gord solo album (or EP), or even another poetry book. As I mentioned in another thread, people like David Bowie, Johnny Cash and Warren Zevon were still writing and recording right up to the end, and I have a feeling that he'll be doing the same. The man is an artist and I'm betting he still has a lot of things swimming around in his head or in his notebooks that he'd love to get down on tape. I remember Gord was fond of a famous Al Purdy quote that he mentioned a couple times in interviews when he was supporting Coke Machine Glow, which Dave Bidini used in his album write-up: "I write like a spider spins webs and much for the same reason, to support my existence."

[scottitude]

At the end of every show so far, when Gord is alone on the stage the look on his face of both joy and sadness as he takes it all in tells me this is it.

More albums and more shows would be great, but I think as has already been eloquently suggested, he's closing the book.

[Chris Tanz]

The "this is it" vs. "this ain't it" question is artificial, I believe.

This is it because this is now and we don't know what comes after now. So, they are treating it as if this is it now. (read slowly)

If the thing that comes after now is "let's play a show" or "let's play a few shows" or "let's record a song" or "let's record an album", no one can say. They can't even say.

So -- is this it? It is this.

ct

[Killer Whale Tank]

I agree, direwolf74, that Gord will probably be making music after this tour. Like you, I just doubt it will be with the Hip. My own feeling, which I can't really justify, is that Gord D. has seen the Hip as much as a duty as a joy for the past several years - the gig comes with massive expectation, pressure, etc., as well as a fan base that until this tour has been determined to frame the band as a nostalgia act; and if that's right, then whatever happens health-wise, he will be done with the band after this. And he may forego performing in public, too - I think that's possible, at least, given the 'memory' issues and that any songs he'd be playing without the Hip are likely to be newer material that he hasn't utterly internalized over decades.

Looking into the crystal ball, I suspect the future looks like this:

-more solo work from Gord
-more solo work from Paul (who seems to be the most talented of the non-Downie Hip)
-more Stripper's Union stuff
-assorted bits of studio work from Johnny and GS on other people's records (including the above); for some reason I can see GS getting into production on a more full-time basis

and maybe even

-releases from the Hip vaults (lost tracks, alternate cuts, etc.) - ideally, a whole 'Bootleg Sessions' series of these!!
-memoir from at least one of the Hip, rock memoirs being all the rage these days (Costello, Jagger, Buck 65, Dylan, etc.)

I'll be curious to see just how wrong I am :mrgreen:

[emperor penguin]

-assorted bits of studio work from Johnny and GS on other people's records (including the above); for some reason I can see GS getting into production on a more full-time basis

Rob told me one time that Gord Sinclair has a lot of solo songs written, and it wouldn't be too surprising if he released some solo material. I would love to hear it.

[spasticreelin]

I mentioned on some other thread that The Hip have every right to do whatever the hell they want and hopefully can add a leg on this or shows here and there...and they are right to focus on nothing but being positive and looking forward

Buuuuut, they really made an optics mistake announcing a tour from a hospital immediately following an oncologist announcing the lead singer has incurable brain cancer if they didnt want "final tour" to be the lead in every paper coast to coast

That wasnt the best way to announce a tour they hoped wouldnt be called final by the press....that conference reeked of finality...havent seen anything like it other than Terry Fox....

In fact, maybe the best approach would have been to state quite firmly that it wasnt their last tour and that they did feel it was important for people to know Gords condition....

They werent in front of what was going to be a national media frenzy and while speculation makes for bad journalism, it also makes for great headlines and click bait...

And why televise Kingston...it only adds to the sense of it being the end....not blaming them because they are being very generous, but it also lends itself to media casting this in a certain light

This band is full of men who are thoughtful, intelligent and living with insider medical information as to Gords condition. I dont think, knowing the personality of the band over the decades, that they would have announced it the way they did without truly thinking this was, indeed, it. I think the intention of the press conference at the hospital was, in fact, to let Canadians understand just how dire the situation was.

And, on the other hand, what the hell IS the right way to deal with anything this sad and life affecting - so, certainly not blaming anyone, that is for sure - Im sure they made every decision with Gord in mind....

[boot]

Spasticreelin, that's ridiculous... How could they announce this wasn't the last tour? It might be. Every tour could be the last tour.

They've clearly approached this like its the last tour. They've handled it like its going to be the last tour. I have never seen the band give each other hugs and kisses after each show like they have this tour. They have never agreed to let CBC broadcast a show live before. What's the difference? There's a very good chance that this is the last tour.

But is it? I suspect that nobody knows. IT DEPENDS.

Because of circumstances, it's highly likely that there won't be another tour. But, If Gord's health stays the same, or improves, it is within the realm of possibility that there could be more shows. If that doesn't happen, this is likely it.

I don't know how the band could have handled this differently. Just toured without announcing anything? Maybe. We'd all be bitching about how there weren't more shows, or Gord was forgetting lyrics, or why there's two breaks in the show.

I think, yeah, the media is focussing too much on the 'last' part, and that's unfortunate, but that is what the story is here. That's why they're selling out the ACC three nights this week. When was the last time that happened?

[carebread]

Nobody needs to specifically say this is it because anyone who has seen a show on this tour could tell you.

[spasticreelin]

Well, why couldnt they say this shouldnt be seen as a final tour - in light of the news we dont want this to be seen as a farwell or final tour - seems simple enough media statement to make - they made it pretty clear to CBC - they could have made it as clear to everyone else..

ultimately I think they were making tough decisions in very tough circumstances...theres no criticism, but i bet they would have worded things differently if they could have a re-do

[HandsInTheRiver41]

The "this is it" vs. "this ain't it" question is artificial, I believe.

This is it because this is now and we don't know what comes after now. So, they are treating it as if this is it now. (read slowly)

If the thing that comes after now is "let's play a show" or "let's play a few shows" or "let's record a song" or "let's record an album", no one can say. They can't even say.

So -- is this it? It is this.

ct

As cryptic as this post is... EXACTLY. The whole debate about whether this is the "final" tour or not is a little ridiculous. Even the band doesn't know. Of course they would love to tour again but there's no way to predict what time will allow. Thus is the nature of such health conditions. Treat every concert with the passion and excitement as if it could be the last, regardless of the circumstances. If I've learned anything form Gord's lyrics, it's that the universe is a beautiful and unpredictable place.

[grimes]

The "this is it" vs. "this ain't it" question is artificial, I believe.

This is it because this is now and we don't know what comes after now. So, they are treating it as if this is it now. (read slowly)

If the thing that comes after now is "let's play a show" or "let's play a few shows" or "let's record a song" or "let's record an album", no one can say. They can't even say.

So -- is this it? It is this.

ct

As cryptic as this post is... EXACTLY. The whole debate about whether this is the "final" tour or not is a little ridiculous. Even the band doesn't know. Of course they would love to tour again but there's no way to predict what time will allow. Thus is the nature of such health conditions. Treat every concert with the passion and excitement as if it could be the last, regardless of the circumstances. If I've learned anything form Gord's lyrics, it's that the universe is a beautiful and unpredictable place.

1000% Yes.

Every article (or mayoral decree) that calls it the "final" or "farewell" tour without using a qualifier (potentially, likely, probably, etc...) is being downright disrepectful to the band. We all know the reality of the situation...there is a very good chance that this is it. But there's also a non-zero chance that if Gord is feeling up to it, there might be something more.