RIP, Mr. Leonard Cohen

Definitely has the most plays in my iTunes library.
Definitely has the most plays in my iTunes library, followed by his latest release: You Want It Darker.

Dear Blog,

Now we have a definite contender, in my mind anyway, for biggest blow to humanity this week.

I had the opportunity to see this artist in 2009, during the tour that produced the live album pictured in this blog post.

When people would ask me what artist/band I would go see again in concert, the immediate answer was always “Leonard Cohen, naturally!” I had hoped to be able to see him again but as time went on it became apparent that this had been my only chance, and one I am so very grateful for.

A lot of us, myself included, knew this was coming. Mr. Cohen said this summer that he thought he would be joining his muse – Marianne –  soon, in death.

Leonard Cohen used his poetic and musical talents to show us about life and all its joys and sorrows. It is no surprise to me that he also showed us about death and how to approach it with your whole being – head on and with full acceptance.

Like David Bowie – another artist who knew it was coming – he used what was left in him in his remaining days to get his last (and he knew it would be his last – again like Bowie) work out to us.

I see Gordon Downie of the Tragically Hip doing the same as he lives with the reality of a terminal brain cancer diagnosis.

Thank you, thank you, thank you gentlemen.

Rock on,

The WB