Tonight The Tragically Hip start a 3 night stand at the Air Canada Centre.  This will mark the end of an incredible (and tragic) journey for the iconic Canadian band.

I will probably shouldn’t admit this, but I am probably the first, and perhaps only person in Canada to admit it, but I have never really been a “fan” of the Hip. They were not the soundtrack to my life.  If I were to name a band in my 20’s that was my soundtrack , it would probably be Oasis. As for Canadian artist,  that would go to Alanis Morrissette, but that is not the point of this post. I can respect the fan devotion that many feel.

Yet for some reason  even after that, I have seem the Hip live at least 6 times that I can remember. even writing that I know how lucky I am to say that.

One of those concerts that I will always remember – December 31st 1999.

The Hip were playing the big Y2K concert at the Air Canada Centre. I was lucky enough to be working at the arena in the Air Canada Club at the time.  When everyone was making plans on what to do before the world came to a crashing halt at the change of the century I already had my plans. Working the Hip show in the Air Canada Club. Again I realize how lucky I was as I am writing this.

The great thing about that club was that you have a direct view of all the shows. So most of the guests went to there seats before the show started.  Once the lights went down  and with some “pops” in one hand I had what seemed like a private concert as the we rang in 2000.  I don’t remember the set list, I don’t even what I ate, or how the show ended. What I do remember was the great people I watched the show with. We danced, laughed and made toasts to the years ahead.  Sixteen years later, that remains my favourite new years eve.

So that is my Tragically Hip memory.  Its not long and dramatic. Or probably even that interesting to most people. But for me this is a memory that I will always have. So for that I am thankful to the Tragically  Hip.