Sting, Elvis Costello to pay tribute to Leonard Cohen at Montreal memorial
MONTREAL Sting, Elvis Costello, k.d. lang, and Philip Glass are among the luminaries who will pay tribute to the late Leonard Cohen at a memorial concert marking the first anniversary of the singer’s death.
The Cohen family said in a statement that Tower of Song: A memorial tribute to Leonard Cohen, will be held at Montreal’s Bell Centre on 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, Damien Rice, and the singer's son, Adam.
Tickets go on sale Saturday at noon.
Cohen died on Nov. 7, 2016, at age 82. The icon’s passing was only made public a few days later.
Organizers said in a statement the concert will serve as a benefit with proceeds going to the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quebec and the Conseil des arts de Montreal.
“My father left me with a list of instructions before he passed: ‘Put me in a pine box next to my mother and father. Have a small memorial for close friends and family in Los Angeles — and if you want a public event do it in Montreal,’” Adam Cohen said in a statement.
“I see this concert as a fulfillment of my duties to my father that we gather in Montreal to ring the bells that still can ring.”
Renowned concert and record producer Hal Willner will oversee Tower of Song. “Leonard Cohen is a literary and musical icon,” he said. “To celebrate the first anniversary of his death, the event aims to present a tribute to an artist who is universally recognized as one of the great poets and songwriters of all time.”
Several other events are planned that week, including the opening of an exhibit at Montreal’s contemporary art museum.