The Never-Ending Present Audiobook By Michael Barclay cover art

The Never-Ending Present

The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip

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The Never-Ending Present

By: Michael Barclay
Narrated by: George Stroumboulopoulos
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From our talent-rich neighbor to the north comes this biography of one of the most successful Canadian rock bands, The Tragically Hip, which announced a year-long tour after sharing the news of lead singer Gord Downie’s inoperable cancer. Now available to US listeners, The Never-Ending Present details what led up to the memorable night when music fans all over the world watched Downie’s heroic final performance. Author Michael Barclay explores the band’s musical and cultural importance through interviews with friends, fans, and others they touched. Broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos narrates the Hip’s saga from its start in Kingston, Ontario, in 1984 to its superstar status as kings of the Canadian music scene—even conquering what Barclay calls the "American albatross." This audiobook is for anyone interested in rock music biographies in general or "Canada’s band" in particular, and how fans’ love for a band can foster a profound cultural moment of unity.

©2018 Michael Barclay (P)2018 Audible, Inc. Biographies & Memoirs Entertainment & Celebrities Music Celebrity

Our favorite moments from The Never-Ending Present

  • The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip
    Written by: Michael Barclay
    Narrated by: George Stroumboulopoulos
"That whole argument [about not making it in the States] is just ridiculous."
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  • The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip
    Written by: Michael Barclay
    Narrated by: George Stroumboulopoulos
The meaning behind "Fifty-Mission Cap": "He's an imposter, a poser, a con."
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  • The Never-Ending Present: The Story of Gord Downie and the Tragically Hip
    Written by: Michael Barclay
    Narrated by: George Stroumboulopoulos
Sam Roberts reflects on the Hip's National Celebration show on August 20, 2016.
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  • "That whole argument [about not making it in the States] is just ridiculous."
  • The meaning behind "Fifty-Mission Cap": "He's an imposter, a poser, a con."
  • Sam Roberts reflects on the Hip's National Celebration show on August 20, 2016.

Behind the Scenes with Strombo

"I wanted the surprise in my voice and the emotion in my voice to all be real." – George Stroumboulopoulos, Canadian broadcaster and interviewer
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Fans reminisce about the Hip's last show

Gord Downie’s powerful performances while battling terminal cancer riveted an audience of millions on the Hip’s final 2016 tour.

About the Performer

George Stroumboulopoulos is a Canadian television and radio interviewer, writer, and producer. A former VJ for Canadian TV’s MuchMusic, he was also host of the CBC talk show George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight and anchored Hockey Night in Canada. He can be heard on CBC Radio 2 as the voice of The Strombo Show. He also produces and hosts a live concert series, House of Strombo, with Apple Music.

Michael Barclay

About the Author

Michael Barclay has worked for Maclean’s, CBC Radio’s Brave New Waves, and Exclaim!. He co-authored Have Not Been the Same: The CanRock Renaissance 1985–1995, which told the stories of the Tragically Hip, Blue Rodeo, k.d. lang, and dozens more. He lives in Toronto.

Exquisitely Crafted • Compelling Story • Heartfelt Narration • Inspiring Band Members • Thorough Content

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Very thorough informative and entertaining. Gord and the boys are an inspiration to us all!

Loved it!

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I love The Tragically Hip. share the music and they live forever! So amazing!

we will miss you dearly Gord.

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I really respect the amount of research that went into this. what an unbelievable testament not only to the band, but to how music brings us all together in our common mortality and quest to make meaning of the gift we call life.

very insightful in all areas

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This gave me a lot of the band's story from their beginnings to their culmination in 2016. It reminded me how much I miss Gord and how much of a shame it is that we'll never hear from this band again.

Highly Recommended to Fans

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Could be a little less specific on names of bands & musicians for a layperson’s musical knowledge but well worth the read!

Lots of Hip history in here!

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