Remembering Cohen

Memorial concert planned to mark anniversary of music legend’s death

Adam Cohen, the son of singer Leonard Cohen, said Monday his father would likely want nothing to do with the memorial concert planned to mark the first anniversary of the music legend’s death.

Cohen was a private man and considered himself far less important in the world than he actually was, Adam Cohen said in an interview.

The concert is happening anyway, Cohen mused, and it’s going to be big.

Sting, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, and Philip Glass are among the luminaries who will pay tribute to Cohen during a concert in the singer’s hometown, Montreal.

“There is going to be archival footage (of Cohen) and footage no one has ever seen before,” Cohen said. “There are surprise guests that people won’t expect. There are participants that I know of that I am not allowed to announce.”

Tower of Song: A memorial tribute to Leonard Cohen, will be held at Montreal’s Bell Centre Nov. 6.

Numerous musical acts are already on the bill to honour his legacy, in addition to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard.

Other artists set to participate include Lana Del Rey, Feist, the Lumineers and Damien Rice.

Tickets go on sale Saturday at noon.

Cohen died on Nov. 7, 2016, at age 82. The icon’s passing was not made public until a few days later.

“The evening corresponds to the one-year anniversary of his passing, and in the Jewish tradition, that represents the end of a year of mourning,” Cohen said.

He added he hopes the concert marks the “official beginning of having his songs being kept alive.”

Proceeds of the show will go to the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec and the Conseil des arts de Montreal.