Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder calls Gord Downie ‘very courageous’

Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder offered a moving tribute to the Tragically Hip’s Gord Downie at a concert in Chicago Saturday night.

“There’s something going on up north of the border tonight, and it involves somebody who we consider a family member just ‘cause he’s part of the group of touring musicians that we’ve met over the years,” Vedder told a sold-out crowd.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "There's something going on up north of the border tonight, and it involves somebody who we consider a family member just 'cause he's part of the group of touring musicians that we've met over the years," Vedder told a sold-out crowd.

READ MORE: The Tragically Hip Kingston show review: More than just the music

Vedder said he met Downie, who was diagnosed with brain cancer last year, and spent a few days with him while making a recording.

Downie led the Hip on their latest tour after publicly announcing his diagnosis in May.

It all culminated in a major cross-country celebration Saturday night, with a live broadcast of the final show in their Man Machine Poem tour.

“He was very courageous and decided to take his group out on one last tour and tonight’s the last night of that run … I just want to send them our energy from our gathering up to their gathering up there, and wish the best to Mr. Gord Downie. We love you.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "He was very courageous and decided to take his group out on one last tour and tonight's the last night of that run … I just want to send them our energy from our gathering up to their gathering up there, and wish the best to Mr. Gord Downie. We love you."

Vedder’s comments reflect many Hip fan’s feelings. Thousands of people attended either the show or an outdoor viewing in the band’s hometown of Kingston, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

WATCH: As it Happened: Tragically Hip’s final Man Machine Poem tour stop

1:47 Justin Trudeau wades through crowd before historic Tragically Hip concert in Kingston

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