Jake Gold; managing the Tragically Hip into the future

The band’s original manager is back on board as the band looks forward.

It appeared the members of The Hip were embedded in full retirement following the death of their friend and front man Gord Downie from brain cancer in 2018. Jake Gold was the original manager from 1986 until 2003 and returned in 2020.

“There was definitely a mourning period following Gord’s death.” Admits Jake. “Everyone in the band went their separate ways and dealt with the loss in their own ways. It was tough. We all lost a friend.”

Back in 1986, Jake received a cassette tape and what he heard brought enough curiosity for him to set up a gig to hear the band perform. “Within the first thirty seconds I was sold.” Explains Jake. “I have to sign these guys. They were powerful, had super energy and it was like lightning in a bottle. Gord was so dynamic and I never saw anything like that before”.

From the get-go, a plan was in place. To play as many gigs as possible at smaller venues to ensure the band gained many fans. “There was enormous pushback for us to play arenas.” says Jake. “We made a resolution to not play arenas until we were capable to play arenas in every possible market. We did it the right way.”

The Hip went on to sell millions of albums in Canada – second only to The Beatles.

“You could see it. Gord really knew how to write and turn a phrase. He could have a conversation with you in the morning and that afternoon it would be in a song. He always had a notebook in his hand and was ready to write everything down. “

Unlike Bryan Adams, The Hip never left for the U.S. and some wondered why the band was never ‘big’ south of the Border.

“It was at a time when being Canadian was enough.” explains Jake. “The mentality was ‘we don’t need outside approval and it’s okay to be Canadian’. The band played five consecutive nights at the Beacon Theater in New York. We definitely were big in the States”.

Before Gord passed, the band did a farewell tour culminating with their final performance in their hometown Kingston. It was televised nationally and more than half the population of Canada tuned in. Mike Downie (Gord’s brother), along with Jake and the surviving members, put together a documentary. The Tragically Hip No Dress Rehearsal is available on Amazon Prime and contains home movies of Gord’s final days. It maintains an authentic insight into the legacy and roots of the band.

“The documentary won the critics award at the Toronto Film Festival.” says Jake. “A book is coming and a boxed set with new unreleased music. We released one song so far and that song is #1 on Rock radio. The band has never been this popular and there is a lot more to come except performances. They are retired.”