05-25-2004, 12:53 PM
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=wilkie/040525">http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... kie/040525</a><!-- m -->
Ten Greatest Canadians
By Jim Wilkie
Page 2
7. The Tragically Hip, rock music
The quintessential Canadian rock band also likes to write about hockey along with assorted darker subjects. Unlike most of the biggest Canadian celebrities who had to first make it in the United States to reach widespread acclaim; The Hip became big in Canada without reaching more than cult status in the States. That's great for us fans south of the 49th Parallel because we can go see their incredible live show and lead singer Gord Downie's rambling rants in small theaters instead of arenas. Not breaking big in the States was once puzzling to fans, but it has become the band's cachet and like hockey, another great Canadian export that inexplicably hasn't caught on with widespread acceptance by the Yanks. But unlike the NHL's lap dance with TV networks over the past 10 years, at least The Hip still have their integrity and street cred from Yellowknife to St. John's.
Ten Greatest Canadians
By Jim Wilkie
Page 2
7. The Tragically Hip, rock music
The quintessential Canadian rock band also likes to write about hockey along with assorted darker subjects. Unlike most of the biggest Canadian celebrities who had to first make it in the United States to reach widespread acclaim; The Hip became big in Canada without reaching more than cult status in the States. That's great for us fans south of the 49th Parallel because we can go see their incredible live show and lead singer Gord Downie's rambling rants in small theaters instead of arenas. Not breaking big in the States was once puzzling to fans, but it has become the band's cachet and like hockey, another great Canadian export that inexplicably hasn't caught on with widespread acceptance by the Yanks. But unlike the NHL's lap dance with TV networks over the past 10 years, at least The Hip still have their integrity and street cred from Yellowknife to St. John's.

