Fans are gathering in the Tragically Hip's hometown of Kingston, Ont., to pay their respects to the late Gord Downie.
Flowers and candles have been dropped off near a commemorative stone in the city's Springer Market Square, where fans gathered to watch a public screening of the band's final concert last summer.
Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson laid a wreath dedicated to Downie at city hall, while a book of condolences was also made available to fans. Some 30 people waited nearby to sign the book and candles and flowers were soon added to the wreath.
Downie, who announced last year he was diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer, died Tuesday night. He was 53.
``It's tragic news and a sad day for Kingston,'' Paterson said in an interview. ``But you can't help but think about all the memories, all of the amazing things that he and the rest of the band have done for this community. I often reflect on how it doesn't matter what your musical tastes are, if you're in Kingston, you're a big fan of Gord and the Tragically Hip. They have done so much.''
Paterson, 40, said the wreath ceremony was a chance to say thank you to Downie and convey how much he will be missed.
``(The band) was such a source of pride for Kingston that we would call ourselves the hometown of the Hip,'' said Paterson. ``Certainly the Hip is more than just a band here, they're family. And so I think that's what you're seeing here today, you're seeing family here in our city come together to support family and friends, to share memories of Gord.''