Leonard Cohen announces first tour for 15 years

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Immediately following his induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel last night, Leonard Cohen announced his world tour, marking a return to the live arena after 15 years. He is scheduled to open in Toronto on June 6 and 7, the city that gave birth to his career as a recording and literary artist, and then play Europe in the remainder of June, July, August and early September. Cohen is arguably the greatest singer songwriter of modern times. At his induction into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, he as recognized by Lou Reed as "without question one of the most important and influential songwriters of our time, a figure whose body of work achieves greater mystery and depth as time goes one." Among those inducted with Cohen were: Madonna, John Mellencamp The Dave Clark Five, and the Ventures.

A celebrated and much lauded singer/songwriter he first emerged as a major and influential talent in the early 60's. Albums like Songs Of Leonard Cohen (1967), Songs Of Love And Hate (1970) and I'm Your Man (1990), right up to 1992's The Future, 2001's Ten New Songs and 2004's Dear Heather are rightly considered classics. Uniquely for a revered musician, Cohen's literary plaudits rival those for his music.

His songs have been famously covered by the great and the good, each version a fascinating attempt to move closer to Cohen's enigmatic muse. From Judy Collins' "Suzanne" to Jeff Buckley's seminal rendition of "Hallelujah, " Cohen's songs have traveled as far and wide as their author. U2, REM, Sting, Nick Cave, Rufus Wainwright and the late Johnny Cash are among other famous devotees. It is estimated that his songbook has been covered over 1, 330 times by other recording artists.

In 2008, Cohen's live tour will be as varied as his influence. He plays the UK's legendary Glastonbury Festival on June 29, for 150, 000 fans. The Montreux Jazz Festival and Spain's Bennicasim are also stand out dates among arena shows at the O2 in London and more intimate dates such as Toronto's Sony Centre and the Manchester's Opera House in the UK.

Rob Hallett from AEG Live said, "For many this tour will be the once in a lifetime opportunity to see the legend that is Leonard Cohen. We as a company are honored to bring this long rumored tour to reality across the globe."

In all, the tour will take in fans, from intimate theatres to rock festivals proving the remarkable reach of Cohen's words and music across nations and generations.

He will be joined by world renowned musicians: Roscoe Beck (bass & vocals, music director) Neil Larsen (keyboard, accordion, brass instruments), Bob Metzger (guitar, steel guitar & vocals), Javier Mas (acoustic guitar, oud & misc. string instruments), Christine Wu – Violin, viola, cello & keyboard, Rafael Gayol (drums & percussion) and Dino Soldo (keyboard, saxophone, wind instruments & vocals).

Cohen has been a SONY/BMG recording artist for his entire career. He continues as an active songwriter with much anticipated new work that is planned for release later this year.

Cohen is beyond comparison and a true original, providing some of music and literature's most illuminating writing on love, sex, death and religion.

This is a world tour of epic proportions, but it is something even more than that. Leonard Cohen's eagerly anticipated return to the stage after all these years is nothing short of musical history in the making.

AEG Live is promoting the tour worldwide. Worldwide tour dates will continue to be announced within the coming weeks.

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