Winnipeggers unleashed a flood of social media tributes to Gord Downie Wednesday, after news broke of The Tragically Hip frontman’s death.

The band posted a statement to their website saying Downie, 53, died Tuesday evening “with his beloved children and family close by.”

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Kevin Donnelly, senior vice president of venues and entertainment for True North Sports and Entertainment, knew Downie for more than 20 years.

"He was as thoughtful and he was genuine offstage as he was charismatic and sort of crazy onstage," said Donnelly, adding that Downie "represented Canada."

Winnipeg radio station 99.9 BOB FM, which shares a parent company with CTV News, is broadcasting a Gord Downie special tribute that can be streamed online.

Meanwhile, Winnipeg Twitter users shared their grief, as well as their memories of Downie and his impact on their lives and Canadian music and culture.