Tragically Hip songs to resonate differently after news of Gord Downie's illness: Buck 65

Canadians may be listening to Tragically Hip songs a little differently after learning that the band's lead singer Gord Downie has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, says Canadian alternative hip hop artist Buck 65.

• Tragically Hip tour dates announced

RichTerfry, host of CBC Radio 2's Drive anda musician known by his stage name Buck 65, toldMetro MorningthatDownieis a naturally talented artist with a distinctive voice, buthe is also extremely thoughtful and meticulous when it comes to making music. The Hip announced that Downie has terminal brain cancer onTuesday.

TerfrysaysDowniehas made his mark on Canadian music.

"He's a Canadian through and through. He sings great Canadian ballads. With his craft, his ability to sing, his talent as a musician, his work resonates," Terfrysaid."The music lives inside him."

The Tragically Hip announced summer tour dates that will take the band to 10 Canadian cities. Terfry said the concerts are sure tobe memorable.

"You hear stories once in a while about the great hit song that was written in five minutes. I think Gord is more kind of the guy who ... you might sit down and labour over a song for weeks, months, who knows, maybe even years. I know he puts a lot of thought and craft in what he does, and I certainly respect that a lot," he said.

Terfry collaborated with Downie on the song, Whispers of the Waves,which has a reference to cancer. He toured with the singerbefore they wrote the song andsaid working together was an educational experience.

"He was quite insistent that we take the time, before we sat down to write, to we talk about what the song meant and why our two voices had to be together, what they would represent in this particular song. It all had to make philosophical sense," he said.

"It was absolutely new for me. I never thought that deeply about the purpose for each tiny little element of a song.It elevated my game. It was never the same for me after that.I had to use that same level of detail and thought. I couldn't go back."

Terfry said the processwasn't easy because the two had to think things through and engage in long conversations,but it was important. "A much stronger song resulted," he said.

Dr. D. J. Cook, a neurosurgeon at Kingston General Hospital who removed most of Downie's tumour, said Downie is looking forward to the tour and he's doing well despite having gone through surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy.

"He's in good spirits. He's done extremely well in therapy and he's looking forward to what he's planned ahead," Cooksaid. "Gordhas faced this with a huge amount of courage. He has a lot of family support. He's done extremely well."

Cook saidthe upcoming tour will give the band a chance to do "what works for them."

"It's an opportunity for them to do what they love," he said.

The tour is in support of the band's 14th studio album Man Machine Poem.Itkicks off July 22 in Victoria and wraps up in the band's hometown of Kingston, Ont., on Aug. 20.