I Was Tragically Unhip, or, How Not To Meet A Canadian Rock Icon.

After writing my last post about meeting Stompin' Tom, it reminded me that I have met quite a few recording stars in my life, either on purpose after a show, or merely by chance.  I think this number is pretty respectable considering I'm not, nor have ever been in the 'music' business.

This is one of those chance meeting stories, which I know a lot of you have already heard, but for those who haven't, here's my humiliating story of meeting Gord Downie, the lead singer of 'The Tragically Hip'.

I was introduced to 'The Hip' in the early nineties while attending Sheridan College for the advertising program. It was the band's 1991 album, 'Road Apples' that really tweaked something in me.   Yes, I knew about them before this album as they had some big hits from their previous cd, 'Up To Here' such as '38 Years Old', 'Blow at High Dough' and 'New Orleans is Sinking', but as a complete, song for song cd, I give the edge to 'Road Apples'. 'Long Time Running', 'Little Bones', 'Twist My Arm', 'Fiddlers Green', 'Last of The Unplucked Gems'...so many songs that are so good. Anyhow, I had become an official fan.  So much so that  for one of their future cd releases ('Trouble At The Henhouse', I think...), I was one of the ones waiting outside our local record store here in Woodstock for the special midnight opening when it went on sale.  They were a HUGE band here in Canada in the early/mid nineties and I had totally bought into them. 

So, if I remember correctly, it was May of 2002 when I got the opportunity to go to a Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Ottawa Senators playoff game. I jumped at the opportunity to go watch my Buds continue their dominance over The Sens when it came to the playoffs. By the way, this was the third straight year they met in the playoffs, and the third straight year that Toronto would end up putting them out. (I smiled the entire time I wrote that last sentence).  We drove down to the game and decided we would wait until we got to the Air Canada Centre to get a bite to eat, which ended up being a quick burger from the McDonald's kiosk under Union Station. I finished my dinner and was standing waiting for the others to finish and watching people walk by. Most were walking in the direction of the ACC and were decked out in their jerseys, blue and white face paint ('Gotta support the team" - David Puddy), home-made signs, banners and big, foam fingers in hand ready to cheer on the boys. 

As I'm watching this sea of blue people quickly go by, I turned my head to the left and I spotted someone who I instantly recognized. He had long, black, poker-straight hair that went down to his waist, a black mustache and beard..it was..it was..the lead guitarist from The Hip!!! I had no clue what his name was (apparently I wasn't THAT big of a fan), but damned if it wasn't him! But wait...who's that walking right beside him, head shaved looking straight at the ground, coming right toward me? It was Gord Downie, the lead singer of 'The Tragically Hip'.  Now his name I knew. I excitedly looked around to see if the rest of the guys I was with were seeing this happen, but they weren't. They were still chomping away, or throwing out their trash, or whatever. Actually, based on who I was with, I doubt any of them, except maybe Ricky Love, would have recognized or appreciated this as much as I did. I was a huge fan!

As he was quickly walking by where I was standing (I could have literally reached out and slapped him), I had to say something... get his attention and let him know how big a fan I truly was...say something...I had to...but what...umm...

You have to understand that the entire time span of when I first saw them walking towards me, recognized who it was, and spoke to them took place over about 5 seconds.

He was right in front of me.  I said the only thing I could think of.

"Gord!"

He stopped dead in his tracks, turned to me and looked me straight in the eye.

"Yes?" he said.

I froze. I was star-struck. I had never experienced this before. It was the first time I couldn't think of anything to say, but I had to say something. After all, he had actually stopped walking past me just to hear what I had to say...so what could I say? Hmmm....

And then it happened.  I spoke the only words that would come out...

"You rule."

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, that is what I said. That was the reason he had to stop. That was the important information I needed to tell him. Not, "I've been a really big fan of you guys for a long time."  Nope. Not even, "Hey, you guys are great!" Nope.  

You. Rule.

I don't say "you rule" to people...that's not how I talk, so what in the hell was I thinking?!?  You Rule?!?   FUCK!!!

Just hearing myself utter these ridiculous words to him made my ears start to ring...now what do I do?

Gord smiled at me, reached up with his right hand and patted me on the shoulder and said, "Thanks, man.", and they turned and walked away.

It was so weird. I was feeling excited, humiliated, happy, angry, all at the same time.  Then I felt bad that I didn't tell the guitar player (Rob Baker) that he also ruled. I mean, that wasn't fair at all. 

The rest of the night, which should have been amazing, was just fine. The game was incredible, close the entire night, the Leafs won in overtime, the place was going crazy, but I just couldn't stop hearing myself say those two stupid words, over and over. You rule.

So there it is. My truly humbling story of an unexpected meeting and an even more unexpected case of 'Starstruckitis'.

This reminds me, I still need to get their newest album, 'Now For Plan A', I hear it's good.

All for now.

G'day.