Larne roadie's tribute to Leonard Cohen

Irish Canadian Leif Bodnarchuk, who now lives in Larne, previously worked as a guitar technician for the Hallelujah singer who passed away on November 10.

Leif, who also spent 13 years as Tim Wheeler’s guitar technician and has appeared on Ash’s 1977 and Live at the Wireless albums, paid tribute to the Canadian star who died at the age of 82.

“I don’t think I’ll ever forget touring with Leonard,” he told the Times.

“His kindness and humility seemed limitless.

“He was a giant who could fit into a mouse hole.

“I was in Dublin when I heard.

“It seems appropriate in a way, to be in the city that loved him like a son.”

Leif also revealed that despite his huge success, Cohen’s head wasn’t turned by fame.

“He was impossible to distract with celebrity,” he explained.

“He kept pop stars and world leaders waiting outside his dressing room until they gave up and left.

“But he made time for us, treating us with dizzying kindness.

“His generosity with wisdom and compassion made difficult days worthwhile, each challenge serving as a lesson.

“He once told me, while the world spoke of his performances as slick and polished ‘to me it’s life and death every night.’

“He didn’t take his life for granted – he shared it with us all.

“I’ll miss the guy.”