Remembering
Leonard Cohen
Honouring the singer-songwriter, novelist
and poet whose music inspired so many
and whose words changed lives
Leonard: “I think our content is women and we are women’s content. I know that my mind, my emotions are involved with a woman. Sometimes when I’m feeling strong, which is rare, I can get beyond that concern. But most of the time, what I care most about is whether or not I’m being welcomed by her and I think a lot of the time she worries about whether she is being welcomed by me. So we are each other’s content and we exist in that condition, which goes all the way from grave discomfort to absolute peace and everything in between. That seems to be what the activity between a man and a woman is.”
Shown: Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen, Keith Richards, Chuck Berry. Photo by Rick Friedman/Kennedy Library Foundation.
Video of the entire ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhfDAplS38U
On this day…
February 26, 2012
Leonard Cohen and Chuck Berry were the inaugural recipients of the Award for Song Lyrics of Literary Excellence presented by PEN New England.
Cohen thanked the jury in his honeyed, raspy baritone and paid homage to Berry.
“If Beethoven hadn’t rolled over, there would have been no room for any of us,” he said. “All of us are footnotes to the words of Chuck Berry.”
Bill Flanagan read a few emails he’d received from VIP fans in absentia including Bob Dylan:
“To Chuck, the Shakespeare of rock and roll, congratulations on your PEN award, that’s what too much monkey business will get ya . . . Say hello to Mr. Leonard, Kafka of the blues, and Lord Byron Keith (Richards) if he shows up. In all seriousness, Chuck, congratulations on this prestigious honor. You have indeed written the book with a capital B, and congratulations to Leonard, who’s still writing it – Bob Dylan”
Album of the Month:
Songs Of Love And Hate
Featured Song: “Joan Of Arc”
"Then fire, make your body cold,
I'm going to give you mine to hold,"
saying this she climbed inside
to be his one, to be his only bride.
What’s New in the World of Cohen
Article: “‘Remember me, I used to live for music’: Remembering Leonard Cohen ten years on at the Cube Microplex” by Dabrowka Nowak, Epigram, February 20, 2026. Read.
Article: “Leonard Cohen, the ‘men in orange’ and a chaotic concert in Tel Aviv, 1972” by Jack Whatley, Far Out Magazine, February 19, 2026. Read.
Article: “1967 Classic Ranked Among ‘Best Rock Breakup Albums’ of All Time” by Nina Derwin, Parade, February 14, 2026. Read.
Article: “Why Leonard Cohen felt empowered to pronounce benedictions” by Rowan Williams, The World of Leonard Cohen, edited by David R. Shumway, 2026. Read the article. Check the book out on Amazon.
Opinion: Today The Washington Post published an article entitled “A masterpiece of contemporary art, made with a hundred bucks” about a piece of video artwork created by Alex Da Corte and commissioned by Leonard Cohen and his daughter Lorca. The video, created in 2010, is based on Leonard’s song “Chelsea Hotel No. 2.”
The Post writes that the “video has the feel of an art school assignment completed an hour before deadline. But it’s also a masterpiece — a breathtakingly deft visual poem, fired with tenderness, eroticism, heartbreak, humor, violence and mortality.”
According to the Post, Da Corte is now “one of contemporary art’s leading lights.” “The piece is owned by the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles and is a promised gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.”
You have to pay $2 to read the article and see the video. While the work isn’t my cup of tea, it is provocative and stunning. If you are the slightest bit curious, it’s worth the money. Read and view for $2.
Article: “The one lyric Leonard Cohen always wished he had written” by Reuben Cross, Far Out Magazine, February 4, 2026. Read.
New Book on Leonard: The World of Leonard Cohen by David R. Shumway is scheduled for release on Jan 29. “Leonard Cohen’s artistic career is unique. Most poets and novelists do not become rock stars. No other rock star’s career peaked in their eighth decade as Leonard Cohen’s did. In The World of Leonard Cohen, a team of international scholars and writers explore the various dimensions of the artist’s life, work, persona, and legacy to offer an authoritative and accessible summation of Cohen’s extraordinary career. His relation to key themes and topics – Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Zen and the East, the Folk tradition, Rock & Roll, Canadian and world literature, film – are all addressed.” Check it out on Amazon.
Uncovering the Bootlegs and Covers
(According to Leonard Cohen Live) 2008
About Leonard Cohen
Early Life and Education:
Leonard Cohen was born on September 21, 1934, in Westmount, Quebec, Canada. He grew up in a Jewish family with a strong cultural and intellectual background. Cohen attended McGill University in Montreal, where he developed a passion for literature, writing, and poetry. He graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Literary Career:
Cohen's first published work was a book of poetry titled Let Us Compare Mythologies (1956), followed by several other poetry collections, including The Spice-Box of Earth (1961) and Flowers for Hitler (1964). He also authored two novels: The Favourite Game (1963) and Beautiful Losers (1966), both of which showcased his innovative narrative style and thematic depth.
Music Career:
Transitioning from literature to music, Cohen released his debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen, in 1967. This album featured iconic tracks like "Suzanne" and "So Long, Marianne." His deep voice, poetic lyrics, and melancholic tunes made him a unique presence in the music industry.
Cohen released a significant number of albums throughout his career, including:
Songs From A Room (1969)
Songs Of Love And Hate (1971)
Live Songs (1973)
New Skin For The Old Ceremony (1974)
The Best Of Leonard Cohen (1974)
Death Of A Ladies' Man (1977)
Recent Songs (1979)
Various Positions (1984) — featuring the legendary "Hallelujah"
I'm Your Man (1988)
The Future (1992)
Cohen Live (1994)
More Best Of (1997)
Field Commander Cohen: Tour of 1979 (2001)
Ten New Songs (2001)
The Essential Leonard Cohen (2002)
Dear Heather (2004)
Live In London (2009)
Leonard Cohen - Live At The Isle Of Wight 1970 (2009)
Songs From The Road (2010)
Old Ideas (2012)
Popular Problems (2014)
Live In Dublin (2014)
Can't Forget: A Souvenir Of The Grand Tour (2015)
You Want It Darker (2016)
Thanks For The Dance (2019)
Hallelujah & Songs From His Albums (2022)
Tours:
Cohen's live performances were widely acclaimed for their intimacy and emotion. He embarked on several world tours, most notably his return to the stage in the late 2000s. From 2008 to 2013, he conducted extensive tours across North America, Europe, and Australia, captivating audiences with his charismatic presence and rich catalog of songs. These tours were noted for their elegance and the deep connection Cohen established with his audience.
Legacy:
Leonard Cohen passed away on November 7, 2016, but his influence on both literature and music remains profound. Cohen's work explores themes of love, religion, politics, and personal introspection, earning him a revered place among the greatest songwriters and poets of his time. His prolific career and unparalleled artistry continue to inspire generations of artists and fans worldwide.
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