Leonard Cohen honoured twice at 2017 Juno Awards

Leonard Cohen was posthumously honoured with two prizes at the 2017 Juno Awards.

The ‘Hallelujah’ singer – who passed away at home at the age of 82 in November 2016 – was given the coveted Artist of the Year accolade, as well as Album of the Year for his final LP ‘You Want it Darker’, which was released the month before his death.

The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, and his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, provided an introduction to Cohen on stage on Sunday (02.04.17) at the Canadian Tire Centre in the capital city of Canada, Ottawa.

Justin opened up about his father Pierre Trudeau’s friendship with the late music legend and hailed him "one of the greatest artists Canada has ever produced."

He added: "We recognised ourselves in what he wrote."

And singer Feist, 41, also performed a fitting tribute to the ‘Suzanne’ hitmaker.

She sang a tear-jerking rendition of Cohen’s hit ‘Hey That’s No Way to Say Goodbye’.

Elsewhere, Shawn Mendes picked up the Fan Choice gong beating Drake, Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara, Belly, Ruth B., The Weeknd, Tory Lanez and The Strumbellas.

Sara McLachlan picked up Adult Contemporary Album Of The Year for ‘Wonderland’ and was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Of the honour, she said: "I have the best job in the world.

"Music is my church. It’s my comfort and salvation. Because of music my life has deeper meaning and a powerful sense of purpose."

One of the highlights of the night was comedian Russell Peters and Bryan Adams’ skit with the Prime Minister, who asked for the latter’s hit ‘Summer of ’69, to be performed.

And at the end of the show, Bryan was joined on stage for a star-studded rendition of the track by Sarah, Alessia Cara and members of Arkells and Billy Talent.



The 2017 Juno Awards selected list of winners:



Album Of The Year:

Leonard Cohen, ‘You Want it Darker’



Group Of The Year:

The Tragically Hip



Breakthrough Artist:

Ruth B



Songwriter of the Year:

Gord Downie for The Stranger’ ‘The Only Place to Be’ and ‘Son’ from ‘Secret Path’



Pop Album of the Year:

Alessia Cara, ‘Know-It-All’



Country Album of the Year:

Jess Moskaluke, ‘Kiss Me Quiet’



Fan Choice Award:

Shawn Mendes



Artist of the Year:

Leonard Cohen



Single of the Year:

The Strumbellas, ‘Spirits’



Breakthrough Group of the Year:

The Dirty Nil



Adult Alternative Album of the Year:

Gord Downie, ‘Secret Path’



Alternative Album of the Year:

July Talk, ‘Touch’



Rock Album of the Year:

The Tragically Hip, ‘Man Machine Poem’



Rap Recording of the Year:

Jazz Cartier, ‘Hotel Paranoia’



Dance Recording of the Year:

Bit Funk Featuring Shae Jacobs, ‘Off The Ground’



R&B/Soul Recording of the Year:

The Weeknd, ‘Starboy’



Electronic Album of the Year: Kaytranada, ‘99.9%’



Metal/Hard Music Album of the Year: Mandroid ‘Echostar, i’



Adult Contemporary Album of the Year: Sarah Mclachlan, ‘Wonderland’