The pride of Belmont Avenue

But some of that appreciation was expressed this week in New York, when Leonard Cohen was inducted into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame.

Yes, folks, Leonard Cohen is still cool. The kid from Belmont Avenue whose poetic aspirations led him to national attention in the 1950s, then international musical stardom, has finally been invited to join the immortals. He is the first, and will most likely remain, the only Westmount native to be so honoured.

But why Leonard Cohen? you ask. What did he ever do that was so amazing?

Balancing two overlapping careers, one as a highly acclaimed poet and novelist and the other as a singer/songwriter, Cohen is one of the few living artists who can be said to have bridged that gap between the post-war Beat Generation and the turbulent counter-culture revolutionaries of the 1960s. Some may quickly dismiss him as the poor man’s Dylan — but they forget that Dylan is nearly a decade younger and was not active when Ginsberg produced 'Howl' or Kerouac the seminal 'On the Road'. Now 74, Cohen was in his early twenties and already an established young poet when those groundbreaking works came out. In short, he was around when those crucial foundations were being laid.

Ironically, his own music is decidedly un-commercial and has never enjoyed heavy airplay. For example, when was the last time you heard 'Suzanne' on the radio? Probably never. Yet that seemingly simple 1966 folk song remains a monumental anthem that has inspired countless international artists over the years. There are even stories of European tourists descending on de la Commune Street in search of the real-life inspiration for Suzanne’s “place near the river.” And, let’s be honest, it’s not even an innovative piece of music — just a few simple chords plucked out on an acoustic guitar. It’s remarkable that it managed to attract much attention at all, considering its competition at the time. Don’t forget, this was the same period that the Beatles were hoisting the creative bar with Revolver and Sgt. Pepper, the Beach Boys stunned everyone with Pet Sounds, and the Doors came out with their first album, featuring 'Light My Fire' and, years ahead of its time, 'The End'.

Meanwhile, there was clean-cut Leonard Cohen, standing quietly in the shadows with his guitar, looking more like an insurance salesman or a substitute teacher than the object of widespread bohemian hero worship, singing about tea and oranges from China.

But through the years, his influence has been undeniable. From R.E.M. and U2 to Nirvana, so many of our most creative and dynamic recording artists have been profoundly influenced by his words, either on paper or in song. His works have been covered by so many artists that this week's Hall of Fame induction was all but inevitable.

The message from New York City this week was loud and clear: Leonard Cohen is cool. He always was, and now, thanks to his induction into the Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame, always will be.