THE ESTATE of Leonard Cohen is exploring legal action after the late singer-songwriter's signature hit, Hallelujah, was used without authorisation at the Republican National Convention.
A cover of the track, which was also popularised by Jeff Buckley in 1994, was played twice during Thursday’s event in Washington DC, including in the immediate aftermath of President Trump’s speech outside the White House.
It came despite the Cohen estate twice denying a request for its use.
As a result, Michelle L Rice, a lawyer representing the Cohen estate, has confirmed they are considering legal action.
She said: “We are surprised and dismayed that the RNC would proceed knowing that the Cohen Estate had specifically declined the RNC’s use request, and their rather brazen attempt to politicise and exploit in such an egregious manner Hallelujah, one of the most important songs in the Cohen song catalogue. We are exploring our legal options.”
Rice continued: “Had the RNC requested another song, You Want It Darker, for which Leonard won a posthumous Grammy in 2017, we might have considered approval of that song.”
The Cohen Estate’s claims have been backed by the late musician’s publishing company Sony/ATV Music Publishing who said they had been approached by representatives from the Republican National Committee requesting to use Hallelujah.
President and Global Chief Marketing Officer Brian J Monaco said: “On the eve of the finale of the convention, representatives from the Republican National Committee contacted us regarding obtaining permission for a live performance of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. We declined their request.”
Cohen is the latest musician to oppose the use of his music at Trump events.
Queen, The Rolling Stones, Neil Young and the estate of Tom Petty have all previously objected to their music being used by the President.
A hugely popular artist, Cohen's final album prior to his death, You Want It Darker, topped the charts in Ireland back in 2016.
