Downie has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, and fans across Canada and abroad gathered at viewing parties to tune in and bid him farewell. Being so defiantly Canadian might be one reason why The Hip sent nine of its 13 albums to No. Trudeau, on learning of Downie's diagnosis in May, tweeted that the singer "has been writing Canada's soundtrack for more than 30 years." On Saturday, the prime minister's official photographer tweeted a photo of Trudeau, 44, and Downie, 52, embracing before the show. Downie gestured as if he was sketching a portrait of the teary audience as the band played the song's final notes.

Source: New York Times August 21, 2016 04:23 UTC