By James Peters

Kamloops Hip fan returns from dream road trip

Aug 22, 2016 | 11:59 AM

KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops music fan is returning this week from a dream trip across Canada following his favourite band: The Tragically Hip.

Colin McGaffin attended all of the band’s shows on what’s widely expected to be its final tour.

Lead singer Gord Downie has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

McGaffin says it’s been amazing to see Canadians reach out to a band that is so closely tied with their culture and history.

“I knew that the rock and roll world would embrace this last tour, but as the tour went on you heard more about shows being televised. It is just really awesome that all of Canada, not just the music scene recognized the Tragically Hip on their final day, it’s pretty special,” said McGaffin. 

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“Something consistent that you heard about why everybody loves the Hip, other than their awesome music, is just how they conduct themselves. They’re always so professional and they’ve always been approachable for people on the street.”

McGaffin owns the Fresh is Best salsa company, and though he provided the band with chips and salsa at every tour stop, he didn’t get to meet his rock and roll idols.

As for the emotional final show Saturday night in Kingston, McGaffin said it was “smiles first, tears second.”

RELATED VIDEO: Tragically Hip stirs emotions in Kamloops