Throwback Thursday: Leonard Cohen

For this week’s Throwback Thursday we’re playing a set from Leonard Cohen to celebrate his 78th birthday, which is this Friday.

Lou Reed, when inducting Leonard Cohen into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, described him as part of the “highest and most influential echelon of songwriters.”  It would be hard to argue with that claim.  Cohen has managed to stay relevant and active throughout his long career, a distinction shared by very few of his contemporaries of the 1960′s singer/songwriter scene.  His most recent album Old Ideas came out this year and he’s currently touring in support of that album.  Not bad for a soon-to-be 78 year old icon.

Seeing as how Cohen is considered one of the most enigmatic musicians of all time, it would make sense that there are several different ways that fans have gotten into his music.  For me, it was a cover of one his songs, or more accurately a cover of a cover.  Jeff Buckley’s version of “Hallelujah,” based off of John Cale’s version of the Cohen original, was the first contact I had with any part of his catalog.  After following that version back to its source (and several of my parents’ dusty vinyls) I quickly became a fan.  Along with Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, Leonard Cohen is one of the few artists that come to mind when thinking about songwriting as poetry.  His lyrics and music have fascinated several generations and will undoubtedly continue to do so.  Tune in at 5pm today to join us in celebrating Leonard Cohen’s birthday!

By Bentley J. Holt

If you liked this, check out:
Throwback Thursday: Johnny Cash
This Week in Music History