Singer-Songwriter Leonard Cohen Bids Adieu At 82

Cohen’s honors include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2008 & a 2010 Lifetime Achievement Grammy.

Canadian poet, novelist, but above all, one of the greatest songwriters of our times, Leonard Cohen (1934-2016) is no more. According to an announcement on his Facebook page, Cohen passed away at the age of 82.

A statement on his official Facebook page read, “It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away. We have lost one of music’s most revered and prolific visionaries. A memorial will take place in Los Angeles at a later date. The family requests privacy during their time of grief.”

Over a musical career that spanned six decades, Cohen wrote and sang scores of songs that revolved around as widely varying themes as religion, love, depression, suicide, politics and war. Only last month, Cohen released his final album, You Want It Darker. Echoing the deep spirituality that laced his songs, the album is a deeply introspective work exploring mortality.

Unmatched in his creativity, insight, and crippling candor, Leonard Cohen was a true visionary whose voice will be sorely missed. He leaves behind a legacy of work that will bring insight, inspiration, and healing for generations to come.

Robert Kory, Manager to Leonard Cohen

Compared to other songwriters of his era like Bob Dylan and Paul Simon, the Montreal-born Cohen’s best-known song, Hallelujah, has been recorded more than 200 times.

A reluctant pop star, Cohen was already 33 when his first record was released in 1967. His signature gravelly baritone marked Songs of Leonard Cohen, which included the famous Suzanne. Some of his greatest hits include So Long, Marianne, Bird on the Wire, Dance Me to The End of Love, and Famous Blue Raincoat.

Cohen’s many honors include his 2008 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a 2010 Lifetime Achievement Grammy.

There are very, very few people who occupy the ground that Leonard Cohen walks on. This is the rare, rare talent. This is our Shelley, this is our Byron. There was an otherness to the language. It was just the sensory overload of the language that first got to me.”  

Bono, U2 Frontman, in a 2006 documentary

He is survived by a son and daughter from his relationship with Suzanne Elrod.

(Source: NY Times, Variety, LA Times)