Mindy Cohn Net Worth, Relationships, Age/Birthdate & Birthday

A Voice Carved by Life — The Story of Marc Cohn

Born on July 5, 1959, in Cleveland, Ohio, Marc Cohn entered the world under quiet circumstances, only to grow into a voice that resonated across generations. That birthdate naturally marks his birthday each year — but the story of Cohn’s life and career moves far beyond a date on a calendar. Raised in a Jewish household, tragedy struck early: his mother died when he was two, and his father passed away when he was 12. After these losses, he was raised by his stepmother. 

Music became both solace and compass for him. As a youngster, he immersed himself in the sounds of the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Van Morrison — eventually picking up guitar and writing his own songs. In junior high he played in a local band; later, while attending college (including a stint at Oberlin, then a transfer to UCLA), he taught himself piano and performed in Los Angeles coffeehouses.

When Memphis Changed Everything

For years, Cohn’s career slouched along modestly: sessions here, performances there, hopes of a break. What changed everything was a trip in 1985 to Memphis, Tennessee — a place that tapped into America’s deep musical roots and stirred something within him. That visit became the spark that ignited his signature song.

Released in 1991, his debut album, Marc Cohn, bore a song called Walking in Memphis — a song that would reshape his life. The track climbed to No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and introduced the world to Cohn’s soulful storytelling framed in gospel-tinged folk-rock.

That success was no fluke. He went on to win the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1992, and his debut album eventually achieved platinum status.

Over the decades, Cohn carved a niche for himself — not as a chart-chasing pop star, but as a deeply felt voice: soulful, reflective, with emotional depth and authenticity. His albums like The Rainy Season, Burning the Daze, Join the Parade, and Listening Booth: 1970 showcase his range: folk-rock roots, blues and gospel influences, and an artist unafraid to explore human longing, faith, loss, and hope. 

The Signature Song and Its Ripple Effects

“Walking in Memphis” remains more than just a hit — it’s a cultural touchstone. As Cohn once explained, the song is “100 percent autobiographical,” about a Jewish gospel-music lover who falls under the spell of Memphis’s musical spirit.

His rise reminds us that sometimes one trip, one moment of clarity, can change everything. The song propelled Cohn into fame, but he leaned into the challenge: instead of chasing fleeting trends, he carved out a career rooted in soul, introspection, and musical integrity.

A Life Beyond Music: Relationships, Resilience, and Legacy

Cohn’s journey has not been defined just by music, but by relationships, survival, and quiet perseverance.

He has been married three times. His first marriage was to Jennifer George (1988–2001), with whom he had two children. Then, in 2002, he married journalist Elizabeth Vargas; the union produced two sons — Zachary Raphael (born 2003) and Samuel Wyatt (born 2006) — before they divorced in 2014.

In January 2023, Cohn announced that he married his partner Lisa Cohn, a personal milestone he shared publicly with heartfelt messages.

Beyond love and family, Cohn’s life has known darkness — and triumph. In 2005, after a concert in Denver, Cohn and his band’s van was targeted in a violent carjacking. He was shot in the head, a wound that could have ended more than his career. Instead, he survived — a testament to resilience and sheer will, and has since returned to music with renewed purpose.

Such life-shaping events — loss, love, violence, survival — have informed his music, giving it depth, soul, and a relentless authenticity that resonates with listeners who seek more than just melodies.

A Worth That Is More Than Money — The Financial Picture of Marc Cohn

Estimating the net worth of an artist with a decades-long career isn’t exact. Public sources vary. According to one profile, Cohn’s net worth is around US$4 million. Other sources place the number considerably higher, citing estimates of roughly US$14 million — a figure attributing his wealth to album sales, touring, royalties from timeless songs like “Walking in Memphis,” and other musical collaborations.

Whatever the exact number, the broader significance is clear: Cohn has transformed pain and longing into creative output, built a sustainable career over decades, and created a legacy that still earns — emotionally and materially.

More Than a One-Hit Wonder — The Artistic Legacy of Marc Cohn

It would be easy to pigeonhole Cohn as a “one-song wonder,” thanks to the huge impact of “Walking in Memphis.” But that’s a simplification — and an injustice — to a musician whose work spans years, albums, collaborations, and emotional honesty.

From soulful ballads to gospel-infused folk, Cohn has remained committed to storytelling rooted in real life. His songs explore love, redemption, faith, loss — universal themes that never go out of style. In a 2019 performance at the tribute show for Van Morrison at Carnegie Hall, Cohn’s inclusion signaled the respect he commands among fellow artists and connoisseurs of genuine musical craft. 

Above all, Marc Cohn stands as a testament to the power of authenticity: a man who traded chart-chasing for honesty, success for soul, and ended up building a career — and a life — that resonates far deeper than any Top 40 hit ever could.