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Leonard Cohen to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2010 Grammys

Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen and the late Michael Jackson are among an impressive group of artists set to receive lifetime achievement awards at next year's Grammys.

Bobby Darin, Loretta Lynn, David (Honeyboy) Edwards, Andre Previn, Clark Terry will also receive the distinction on Jan. 30 - the day before the televised program. Canadian icon Neil Young will receive the 2010 MusiCares Person of the Year award during the same invite-only ceremony.

"This year's honorees are a prestigious group of diverse and prominent creators who have contributed some of the most distinguished and influential recordings," Recording Academy President Neil Portnow said in a statement.

"Their outstanding accomplishments and passion for their craft have created a timeless legacy that has positively affected multiple generations, and will continue to influence generations to come."

Cohen, whose musical and literary work explores themes of religion, isolation, sexuality and power, has remained relevant and unrelenting for his entire 40-year career. The 75-year-old icon has released 18 albums to date, but his one and only Grammy comes from working with Herbie Hancock on "River: The Joni Letters."

Cohen suffered some financial troubles in 2004 after ex-manager Kelley Lynch stole $9.5 million from the singer while he was secluded in a Buddhist retreat. He returned to the stage after 15 years in 2008 with a hugely successful tour; and made headlines everywhere following an onstage collapse in Spain, and heated protest at his Israeli shows last year. He'll hit the road again in March 2010, with an opening show in Caen, France and close in Croatia.

The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards will air on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010 at 8/7c.

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Kelley Lynch

Hello Angelique,

I don't believe Cohen ever slept with Janice Joplin. He embellishes many of his stories. Also, Cohen does seem to take credit for music others have written or "arranged." I never actually believed he wrote Suzanne on his own. He did buy the rights to Suzanne back sometime in 1989. I worked on that deal. He has publicly stated that this song was stolen from him and there was no evidence of that - at all. Leonard Cohen has a pattern of defrauding others, falsely accusing them, lying, and theft. He is an entirely revolting individual.

April 05 2011 at 1:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Angelique

Kelly,

I heard from someone in Leonard's circle from way back that he never slept with Janis Joplin and that he didn't write Suzanne, just bought the rights to the song. Do you happen to know anything about this or where I can find more information and history on the topic?

November 11 2010 at 7:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Kelley Lynch

For the record, I did not "steal" anything from Cohen. He is going to receive a 1099-MISC for the entire "default judgment" amount. That is being mailed to the IRS Commissioner's Staff. I reported my lawyers and accountant's allegations that Cohen committed criminal tax fraud to the IRS in 2005. I refused to participate in Cohen's fraudulent civil conspiracy in Los Angeles. He refused to undertake a complete and proper forensic accounting. I have now asked the IRS Commissioner's Staff to undertake that accounting. Cohen was well aware, as was the IRS, that I refused to participate in the bogus lawsuit with fraudulent financials attached because I refused to participate in what I viewed as an attempt to cover up criminal tax fraud. I continue to view it as obstruction of justice, etc. Cohen always needs some dramatic reason to speak to the press. I know. I was his personal manager for 20 years. He was originally going to go on tour and blame Neal Greenberg and Richard Westin for his "loss." That is addressed in Greenberg's lawsuit. I guess they came to some private agreement. After all, they were wrapped in attorney/client privilege and I was essentially left in the dark about their activities.

In the future, use allegedly. I am bringing a slander suit against Cohen and others.

Kelley Lynch

February 01 2010 at 7:51 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Laura Brennan

Dear Leonard, Thankyou for the private concerts you gave 3 teenage girls on a few occasions on your mom's apt. balcony on Carluke Cresc. Toronto in 1970. Little did we realize at the time how iconic you were and how much more you would be. It was an honour and a pleasure. All the best. Congrats on the Grammy.
Forty years later I found my friend Pat who was with me then.
Laura B.
Bowmanville, Ontario
Canada

February 01 2010 at 7:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply