The Tragically Hip’s members were Gord Downie (lead vocals), Paul Langlois (rhythm guitar), Rob Baker (lead guitar), Gord Sinclair (bass) and Johnny Fay (drums), plus saxophonist Davis Manning in the first two years. The Canadian rock band, often called simply the Hip, formed in Kingston, Ontario, in 1984. After Downie died on October 17, 2017, the band announced in July 2018 that it would no longer perform under the name.
The classic five-piece stayed together from 1986 until the end, releasing 13 studio albums over a 33-year career. Here is every member, with roles and years.
Gord Downie (1984–2017)
Lead vocalist and occasional guitarist for the band’s entire history. He was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer in 2015, and the band toured Canada in support of its thirteenth album, Man Machine Poem. The final concert, at the Rogers K-Rock Centre in Kingston on August 20, 2016, turned out to be the band’s last show. Downie died in 2017.
Rob Baker (1984–2017)
Lead guitarist from the start. He was known as Bobby Baker until 1994.
Gord Sinclair (1984–2017)
Founding bassist and backing vocalist, a member for the band’s whole run.
Johnny Fay (1984–2017)
Founding drummer and percussionist, also a member from beginning to end.
Davis Manning (1984–1986)
The band’s saxophonist in its first years. He left in 1986 and died in 2023.
Paul Langlois (1986–2017)
Joined in 1986 on rhythm guitar and backing vocals, completing the five-piece line-up that lasted until 2017.
The Tragically Hip Line-Ups at a Glance
- 1984–1986: Gord Downie, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair, Johnny Fay, Davis Manning
- 1986–2017: Gord Downie, Rob Baker, Gord Sinclair, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois
The Hip’s History in Brief
The Tragically Hip released 13 studio albums, two live albums, two EPs and over 50 singles. Nine of their albums reached No. 1 on the Canadian charts, and they won 17 Juno Awards. Between 1996 and 2016 they were the best-selling Canadian band in Canada. Since 2018 the surviving members have reunited for occasional special performances with singer-songwriters such as Feist and William Prince, and have released deluxe reissues with previously unreleased songs.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many members were in the Tragically Hip? Five for most of its history: Downie, Baker, Sinclair, Fay and Langlois. Six people were members in total.
- Who was the lead singer of the Tragically Hip? Gord Downie, from 1984 until his death in 2017.
- Is the Tragically Hip still together? No. In July 2018 the band said it would no longer perform under the name, though the surviving members have played occasional special performances.
- Where is the Tragically Hip from? Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
For more Canadian bands, see the complete lists of Blue Rodeo band members, Our Lady Peace band members and Barenaked Ladies band members.
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