Sting, Costello to play at Leonard Cohen’s tribute gig

Montreal, Sep 19 (IANS) Artistes like Elvis Costello, Lana Del Rey, Feist, Philip Glass, k.d. lang, The Lumineers Wesley Schultz and Jeremiah Fraites, Damien Rice, Sting, Patrick Watson, and Adam Cohen will participate in the 'Tower of Song: A Memorial Tribute' for late singer Leonard Cohen here on November 6.

"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'," said singer-songwriter Adam Cohen.

"I see this concert as a fulfilment of my duties to my father that we gather in Montreal to ring the bells that still can ring," he added.

Noted record and concert producer Hal Willner serves as producer of the event. Emmy nominated and Golden Globe winning director Jack Bender will film the event for an upcoming special.

"Leonard Cohen is a literary and musical icon of word-craft," said Willner.

"On the first anniversary of his passing, we will endeavour to present a tribute to an artiste who is universally acknowledged as one of the great poets and songwriters of all time," he added.

The event will benefit the Canada Council for the Arts, the Council of Arts and Letters of Quebec, and the Montreal Arts Council.

"Proceeds from the event will be shared by several of Canada's arts organisations in an effort to continue the legacy of great works," said Robert Kory and Michelle Rice, Leonard Cohen's managers.

"In fact, Leonard often mentioned the Arts Councils, whom he credited as providing essential support in the early days of his career."

'Tower of Song...' will mark the first anniversary of Leonard Cohen's passing.

The Canadian singer, known for songs like "Hallelujah" and "Dance me to the end of love", died aged 82 on November 7, 2016.