Leonard Cohen - writer of "Hallelujah" collapses during concert performance

September 19, 11:14 AMSalt Lake City Entertainment Industry ExaminerChristopher Harding

Veteran poet, songwriter, and performer, Leonard Cohen collapsed on stage last night while giving a concert performance while on tour in eastern Spain, according to the performer’s music company. 

The legendary songwriter, perhaps best known for his song, “Hallelujah,” (which has been covered by dozens of artists ranging from Jeff Buckley to K.D. Lang and Rufus Wainwright) was in the middle of performing his song “Bird on the Wire” in Valencia when he is reported to have kneeled down several times during the performance and then fainted, falling over sideways.  The band stopped and rushed to his aid as concert-goers watched helplessly. 

The concert was halted and Cohen was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later released with a report that he had apparently suffered from a case of severe food poisoning.

Having been giving the all-clear Saturday morning, Cohen appears prepared to carry on with the last performance of his Spanish tour at the Palau Sant Jordi concert hall in Barcelona on Monday.

Cohen is then scheduled to perform in Florida on October 17^th.  The 74-year-old performer came out of retirement five years ago after discovering that his retirement funds had disappeared in what has been reported as a case of disputed mismanagement.

For more information on Cohen and his tour, visit his website at: http://www.leonardcohen.com/

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