Parents get ‘Hip’ with middle moniker
Naming boy Gord Downie easy choice for mom who was pregnant at Kingston show
MERLIN The Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie has long been a Canadian music icon, but a local couple have done their part to ensure his name lives on.
When the sixth child of Lee Burton, 40, and his wife Melissa Burton, 36, was born on May 9 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, they decided to name him Killian Gord Downie Burton.
The longtime Hip fans’ decision to have their son take the famous singer’s name stems from the experience they had attending the band’s final concert in Kingston on Aug. 20, 2016.
Knowing his wife is just as much a Hip fan as him, Lee couldn’t understand why Melissa was sitting at times during the band’s memorable final performance.
Lee said during the third encore song, Melissa told him if there is a fourth encore, they would have to leave.
“I said, ‘I gotta go. I’m sorry Gord, but I can’t hang out for this much longer,’ ” Melissa laughed.
Within a week or two, it was confirmed Melissa had been about three weeks pregnant while at The Hip show. When Killian was born, Lee said, “it was odd how quick we had the name.”
Melissa added, “the first name was more up for grabs, but the middle names were for sure going to be Gord Downie.”
Lee said they are proud of their name choice because the singer is a “standup guy. You never hear nothing bad about the guy.”
He added Downie is a humble person who uses his fame to promote good causes and trying to bring about positive change.
Although it is unknown how long Downie will live having been diagnosed with a brain tumour nearly a year ago, the couple plan to make sure Killian grows up knowing all about the singer.
Lee said their other children have grown up knowing The Hip, adding the band’s music is often playing in the house or in the vehicle. Like countless other music fans, The Hip has had special meaning for the Merlin-area couple.
Raising so many children, Melissa said, “our little guilty pleasure is to sneak away to a Hip concert every summer.”
Lee added, “We’ve always had a great time, it’s always a good memory.”
He cited the time they caught a guitar pick and another time when they snuck up to the front row for a few songs before getting caught.
When asked how many times they’ve seen The Hip, they both said: “Not enough,” but added they’ve lost count. As for anyone having musical talent in the family, Lee quickly quipped: “I think I’m a great singer.”