Tragically Hip - Grace, Too (Final Live Performance) | A 2 Bois, 1 Brain Cell Reaction 

If you're into video games and music, you can follow Joel’s Channel for some livestream fun! 😃 www.twitch.tv/pyroslayer92

this is how to make all your canadian fans cry.

At the end of the performance, he is screaming, "Him?! Here?! Now?! No!!!". Which indeed is the lyrics of the studio version of the song. However, in the context of THIS performance, the whole meaning of those words is transformed and for me, the original studio version of the song has also been changed. I was at one of the Edmonton performances of their last tour and it had the same feel. I watched grown men weep during the show, and it forever changed the way I experience live music.

Brain cancer, so crazy. Downie couldn't even remember lyrics, had to re-learn his own songs. There were teleprompters hidden around the stage. So much courage.

I'm from Kingston, this was an extremely emotional night, this band is a Canadian treasure

Same brain cancer for which the legendary Rush drummer/lyricist, Neil Peart, received his diagnosis- right around the time this performance occured (late summer, 2016). Gord would pass within less than a year. Neil lasted longer than most (thanks to fortunate genetics), succumbing in January 2020. How two of Canada's most celebrated musicians handled their respective diagnosees and remaining time on earth was a student in contrast. Whereas Downey publicly embraced his fate and used the band's nationwide tour (in support of a new album, but delayed so he could undergo surgery and chemotherapy) to spotlight the plight of Canad's indigenous peoples, Peart told only thoze closest to him and swore them to silence. Notoriously shy and introverted, the last thing he would have wanted wohld have been for adoring fans to assemble in front of his home, singing Closer to the Heart (explained Rush's Geddy Lee). Obviously, there's no right way to react to the certain (and essentially imminent) death sentence that comez with a diagnosis of Glioblastoma. I just find the contrast interesting, and obviously reflective of their different approaches to performing and to fame. The famously wild front man embraces his end and effectively publicizes it to person a personal conviction, while the drummer who always bolted for a waiting vehicle as soon as he last note was played decided for the strictest privacy instead.

Gord insisted on going on one last tour, against his doctor's advice. If you haven't seen it, their documentary Long Time Running, follows them on that last tour. They talk with Gord but the other members about it. They talk about how they made changes for him. Performing every other night, so he had a night in between to rest. The teleprompters, which he prided himself on never needing before, but realizing he'd need the help, extra long breaks between sets etc.. It's amazing what he did. I saw them in December 2000 and opening up for The Rolling Stones in 2005. I watched on tv, their last concert in 2016. I've never been as emotional watching them perform Grace, Too as I was in 2016. The emotion, the pain coming through. We lost a legend when he passed. There will never be another Gord. RIP

Well....I'm seeing this reaction through sober eyes this time lol. Fuckin love you guys. Thanks so much for putting up with my harrassment for getting to this song 🤣. Just for clarification, the song that Chuck listened to while Joel was off screen was the recorded version of this song so you guys have both only heard 2 by them so far.....more to come though 🤘. As always....cheers, Bois!

In very proper Canadian fashion, I listened to this show live on CBC Radio while camping

In my opinion, the best frontman ever!

It's always hard listening to the last songs when our friend is gone,

Great one! Thanks for sharing. I've been a fan of Tragically Hip, but was unaware of this performance. So, so special.

Canada in a T-Shirt

This was a tough watch on a few levels. It was as a Canadian, knowingly Gord was struggling with his poetical stage performance as we knew it was their last good bye. On a different level, it's hard to let in our Southern brothers and sisters who where not there for that fantastic journey of 30 years. And to plop Gords last performance was unjust to ask these guys to truely react. I will say it was ok to ask an Amercian to react to a Candian band but let's just start off with soft stokes. The Hip was grown in our oun contry where we not only loved them for who they were and how tallented they were but we also just loved then just a little, because they were our own and we never wanted to share Gord and the boys with anyone else.

RIP Gord ... a national Treasure.. :

I won't watch the National Celebration video anymore. This was a goodbye concert and I love it for that. So much emotion. I can't watch it without crying. Gord's brain surgery and chemo effects were very evident. Such courage. There is a plethora of better performances though.

You guys need to listen to BTO - Blue Collar or Not fragile .. Cheers !

the only thing you could follow that up with, would be more Hip ;) Take caer... EH!