Watch Leonard Cohen's heartfelt, poetic speech at the 1991 Junos

At this year's Juno Awards there will be a tribute to the late Leonard Cohen performed by Feist. It's not the first time the legendary songwriter, who passed away in 2016, will be honoured by the Junos.

Back in 1991, Cohen was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in a star-studded tribute introduced by pioneering media executive — and Cohen admirer — Moses Znaimer.

Suzanne Vega's performance of "Who by Fire" was followed by Aaron Neville's rendition of his hit version of "Bird on a Wire" and Jennifer Warnes' performance of "Joan of Arc."

After these performances, Cohen stepped onstage to receive his award, delivering a heartfelt, poetic and humorous speech.

Noting that the award had been given to a number of musicians including Oscar Peterson, The Band, Paul Anka, Gordon Lightfoot and Glenn Gould, Cohen remarked on the fact that, at the time, Joni Mitchell and Maureen Forrester were the only women to have received the same honour.

"Two women of genius among all that exuberant masculine prominence causes me to reflect it's going to be hard to get a date in the Hall of Fame," he said to laughter.

Cohen ended his speech by quoting lyrics from "Tower of Song," alluding to the fact that his songs will be around even after he's gone. This weekend's Juno tribute will be a testament to that fact.

— Del Cowie, q digital staff