Episode Details

The Tragically Hip Top Forty Countdown: Song Thirty-Five – Bill from Kingston

Hey, it’s jD, and this week I’m joined by Bill from Kingston — broadcaster, author, moderator of all things Hip, and likely the guy who’s interviewed them more times than any other human walking the earth.

Bill’s Hipstory starts with a first-year college radio gig, a vinyl copy of the EP, and a fortuitous job at MuchMusic just in time to catch Small Town Bringdown flickering across the screen. Since then, he’s been backstage, on tour, in the doc, and, most importantly, always flying the flag for the boys in every room he’s ever walked into.

We talk about Greasy Jungle, naturally, but also: about what it means to know a band deeply — not just musically, but personally. About beer with Paul Langlois, free drinks with Johnny Fay, and turning down a pair of drumsticks in a gesture so noble his buddy Jeff still hasn’t forgiven him.

Bill gets into Gord’s gift for writing — not just the lyrics, but the why behind the phrasing. The curiosity. The poetry. The way a line from Secret Path could come from a conversation about insulation. (Seriously.) We talk about how The Hip gave back long before it was cool or expected, and how growing up in Kingston wasn’t just their origin story — it was their anchor.

🎙️ Next week: Tyler from Etobicoke drops in with a We Are the Same-era pick and a deep appreciation for rediscovery, fandom gaps, and the cassettes that shaped his summer.

💬 Pull Quote

“I’ve seen them in New York, L.A., Cleveland — and every time, it was packed with frenetic, die-hard fans. So yeah… I don’t know who started the ‘they didn’t make it in the States’ myth, but I was there. They did.”

👤 About Our Guest

Bill Wilichka is a longtime broadcaster, Hip advocate, and Kingston local with a front-row seat to four decades of Canadian music history. His autobiography Still Alive in Kingston (yep, he’s starring in the film too) dives into his love for the band, his relationships with the members, and the ways their music weaves into his own story. He’s interviewed Gord, Paul, Rob, Gord S, and Johnny more than anyone else — and has the stories (and cue cards) to prove it.

Check out his work at billwilichka.ca and watch for Still Alive in Kingston coming to a film fest near you.

📬 Get Involved

🎙️ Drop your hot take: castfeedback.com/tthtop40

📧 Send yer Hipstory: tthtop40@gmail.com

💸 Join the membersHIP & support the cause: buymeacoffee.com/tthtop40

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Join the group: facebook.com/groups/tthtop40

💸 Support ALS Canada

We’re raising $25,000 in memory of Matt Rona — a fan, a friend, and the kind of person who showed up with his whole heart. Every donation helps support ALS research and care across Canada. Join us: buymeacoffee.com/tthtop40

Transcript follows below.

The Tragically Hip Top 40 Countdown

2025-05-23, 6:12 PM

The Tragically Hip Top 40 Countd