SINGER-songwriter, poet and all-round legend Leonard Cohen makes a rare appearance at the BIC on Monday with his 2013 UK tour.

The veteran Canadian wordsmith was already a published poet and well into his 30s when he was discovered in the 1960s by Columbia Records’ John Hammond.

A man with an uncanny nose for talent, Hammond had already signed Bob Dylan and would later discover a young Bruce Springsteen.

Cohen found an instant cult following with songs like Suzanne and So Long, Marianne.

With his meaningful lyrics and sombre voice he soon became famous as a bed-sit hero whose albums were loved by the lonely and lovelorn.

In recent decades, however, a wry humour has become evident in his work.

Meanwhile his songs have been covered by a raft of performers, perhaps most notably, by the late Jeff Buckley who recorded the song Hallelujah.

Cohen, who celebrates his 79th birthday in September, is regarded as one of the great lyricists and performers of his generation.