Legendary songwriter, Leonard Cohen dies at 82
Updated | By AFP
Leonard Cohen, the storied musician and poet hailed as one of the most visionary artists of his generation, has died at age 82.
"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," read a statement on his Facebook page.
Cohen, who was brought up in Montreal but lived in California late in his life, will have a private memorial service in Los Angeles at a later date, the statement said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau mourned Cohen, long considered one of the country's foremost writers.
"No other poet's music felt or sounded like Leonard Cohen's. Yet his work resonated across generations," Trudeau tweeted.
"Canada and the world will miss him."
Thanks for the light, Leonard Cohen 😔 pic.twitter.com/XQXOIGkCwY
— pictoline (@pictoline) November 11, 2016
Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre ordered the city's flags to fly at half-mast.
"Tonight we lost one of our greatest ambassadors and icons Leonard Cohen," he tweeted.
"Leonard Cohen defined so well our cultural diversity and duality," he added about the bilingual metropolis.
Cohen began as a poet before branching out into music -- reluctantly at first -- writing some of his generation's most reflective songs, including the oft-covered spiritual "Hallelujah."
#RIPLeonardCohen
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) November 11, 2016
A spirit and soul beyond compare.
"There is a crack in everything,
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) November 11, 2016
That's how the light gets in."
RIP Leonard Cohen.
He released his final album, "You Want It Darker," just last month, featuring Cohen reflecting at length on his own mortality.
Cohen was preceded in death in July by Marianne Ihlen, the Norwegian woman with whom he lived on the Greek island of Hydra and who inspired his song "So Long, Marianne."Â
In a final letter to Ihlen revealed by a friend, Cohen declared his "endless love" for her, writing, "I think I will follow you very soon."
The Recording Academy, which in 2010 presented Cohen with a lifetime achievement Grammy, mourned him as "one of the most revered pop poets and a musical touchstone for many songwriters."
"His extraordinary talent had a profound impact on countless singers and songwriters, as well as the wider culture," Academy president Neil Portnow said in a statement, adding, "He will be missed terribly."
R.I.P. Leonard Cohen. pic.twitter.com/jqxvINzmm7
— Bill Sienkiewicz (@sinKEVitch) November 11, 2016
It's a cold and it's a broken Hallelujah. RIP Leonard Cohen. pic.twitter.com/ZgK4alPlCw
— Benji Blakeway (@benjiiblakeway) November 11, 2016
"You got away. Didn't you babe" #rip #leonardcohen
A photo posted by Troian Bellisario (@sleepinthegardn) on
It's a very sad night... the world just lost such a timeless poet... Rest in peace Leonard Cohen.
— David Desrosiers (@daviddesrosiers) November 11, 2016
R.I.P. Leonard Cohen. Hallelujah to the bar of songwriting.
— Rob Thomas (@ThisIsRobThomas) November 11, 2016
One of the best ever. So sad. Rest with the angels, Leonard, Hallelujah. https://t.co/Um2TYlGjae
— Nancy Sinatra (@NancySinatra) November 11, 2016
Our thoughts are with the friends, family, and fans of cherished artist Leonard Cohen. pic.twitter.com/8K87RMqhNL
— The GRAMMYs (@TheGRAMMYs) November 11, 2016
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