Music Icon Leonard Cohen Dies at 82

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Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen has died, his record label, Sony Music Canada, confirmed on Thursday. He was 82.


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"It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away," read a post on Cohen's Facebook page. "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." A cause of death was not given.

The Recording Academy also mourned Cohen's death in a statement to ET, saying, "We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of GRAMMY® Award winner and 2010 Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Leonard Cohen."

"During an influential career that spanned more than five decades, Leonard became one of the most revered pop poets and a musical touchstone for many songwriters," the statement continued. "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."


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Cohen was first discovered by Columbia Records talent scout John H. Hammond in 1967, who also signed Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen. His first album, Songs of Leonard Cohen, was released later that year, featuring hit song "Suzanne." Cohen quickly proved his worth as a songwriter, penning songs for artists like Judy Collins, James Taylor, Willie Nelson and others, though is perhaps best known for writing the 1984 song, "Hallelujah" -- famously covered by Dylan, Nelson, John Cale and Jeff Buckley, and Rufus Wainwright.

In 1995, Cohen took a break from the music industry and became an ordained Buddhist monk with the Dharma name Jikan ("silence"), during which time he cooked for Kyozan Joshu Sasaki Roshi. Cohen broke his silence in 2001 with a collaborative album with Sharon Robinson, Ten New Songs, and released four more albums before his death.

In 2005, it was discovered that Cohen's longtime manager, Kelley Lynch, had robbed the musician of more than $5 million from his retirement account. To replenish the funds, Cohen undertook a massive two-year-tour.


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Born with a gift for words, Cohen was also a noted poet and novelist, publishing two novels, The Favourite Game and Beautiful Losers before his debut album. Cohen was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008, and released his latest album, You Want It Darker, just last month.

Towards the end of his life, it seems the idea of mortality was a focus for the musician, who told The New Yorker he was "ready to die" in October. "I hope it's not too uncomfortable." Weeks later, however, Cohen retracted his statement about death, saying "I've always been into self-dramatization. I intend to live forever… I intend to stick around until 120."

Cohen is survived by his two children, photographer Lorca, and Low Millions singer Adam.

See Hollywood's reaction to Cohen's death below:


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