Jewish singer Leonard Cohen dies aged 82
Tributes pour in for the Canadian singer-songwriter, who penned the haunting classic Hallelujah
Renowned singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen, who penned the haunting classic Hallelujah, has died aged 82.
The Canadian artist passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles, his son, Adam, said.
No further details have been given of his death, which comes just weeks after he said he was “ready to die” in an interview.
He released his 14th and final studio album, You Want It Darker, in October.
Cohen considered himself both a Jew and a Buddhist and from 1994 to 1999 lived as a disciple of Joshu Sasaki Roshi, a Zen Buddhist monk he met at university.
Born to a Jewish family on September 21 1934, Cohen’s first musical effort came in his teens when he formed a country music group called the Buckskin Boys
“My father passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles with the knowledge that he had completed what he felt was one of his greatest records. He was writing up until his last moments with his unique brand of humour,” his son told Rolling Stone.
A memorial will take place in Los Angeles, a statement on Cohen’s website said.
During a career spanning six decades Cohen earned a reputation for combining spirituality and sexuality and had a string of hits including Suzanne and Bird On A Wire.
He counted Nobel Prize-winning Jewish-born singer and songwriter Bob Dylan among his fans and despite his advancing age was still touring earlier this year.
Dylan told The New Yorker in October that Cohen’s best work was “deep and truthful, “multidimensional” and “surprisingly melodic”.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid tribute to the Grammy Award winner who was also bestowed with the nation’s highest honour.
“No other artist’s music felt or sounded like Leonard Cohen‘s. Yet his work resonated across generations. Canada and the world will miss him,” Mr Trudeau wrote on Twitter.
The PM also quoted a line from Hallelujah, which was famously covered by Jeff Buckley and inspired hundreds more interpretations.
The Recording Academy, which honoured Cohen with a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2010, said it was “deeply saddened” by the news.
“Leonard became one of the most revered pop poets and a musical touchstone for many songwriters,” chief executive Neil Portnow said.
“His extraordinary talent had a profound impact on countless singers and songwriters, as well as the wider culture.
“We have lost a cherished artist and our sincerest condolences go out to Leonard’s family, friends, and collaborators. He will be missed terribly.”
It has not been revealed how Cohen died, but he suggested he had come to terms with his approaching death in the same article.
He told the magazine: “I’ve got some work to do. Take care of business. I am ready to die. I hope it’s not too uncomfortable. That’s about it for me.”
The grandfather later qualified his comments in another interview, saying: “I think I was exaggerating. I’ve always been into self-dramatisation. I intend to live for ever.”
He went on to attend McGill University where in 1956 he published his first poetry book, Let Us Compare Mythologies, to plaudits.
His first album, Songs Of Leonard Cohen, came in 1968. He released Hallelujah in 1984, and it was covered by Buckley in the 1990s.
One of Cohen’s greatest hits was 1967’s So Long Marianne, written for former lover and muse Marianne Ihlen, who also inspired his song Hey, That’s No Way To Say Goodbye.
Ihlen died aged 81 in July and in a letter reportedly read to her on her deathbed, Cohen said: “Well Marianne, it’s come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine.”
News of Cohen’s death emerged on Friday morning with a statement posted on his official Facebook page.
It 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.”
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