On Saturday night, just as the Tragically Hip concert took place in Kingston, Ont., American rock band Pearl Jam took a moment during its show in Chicago to pay tribute to the Canadian band.

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

Vedder went on to explain that he and Tragically Hip frontman Gord Downie met while both of their bands were recording in Seattle and that they spent a few days together. He then told his fans about Downie’s terminal brain cancer and called him “very courageous.”

He concluded, just before kicking into the song “Light Years,” “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.”

More to explore

Exclusive: Watch the Tragically Hip perform 'New Orleans is Sinking' from Kingston

Inside the Tragically Hip's Kingston show: 5 things you didn't see at home

'An essential part of who we are': Justin Trudeau on the Tragically Hip