Leonard Cohen, a Canadian singer, songwriter, and novelist, was a multi-talented individual who excelled in both the literary and musical worlds. Starting his career as a poet and novelist, he later delved into music, combining his love for poetry and folk music. With his published collection of poems and acclaimed novels, Cohen gained recognition in the literary realm. Simultaneously, he explored his musical creativity, composing songs that touched on various themes and solidifying his place in the music industry. Despite his success in both fields, Cohen continued to pursue his passion for literature and music, earning fame and admiration in all his endeavors.
Quick Facts
- Canadian Celebrities Born In September
- Also Known As: Leonard Norman Cohen
- Died At Age: 82
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Marianne C. Stang Jensen Ihlen, Suzanne Elrod
- Father: Nathan Cohen
- Mother: Marsha Klonitsky
- Children: Adam Cohen, Lorca Cohen
- Quotes By Leonard Cohen
- Poets
- Height: 5’8″ (173 cm), 5’8″ Males
- Died on: November 7, 2016
- Place of death: Los Angeles, California, United States
- Ancestry: Lithuanian Canadian, Polish Canadian
- Cause of Death: Leukemia
Childhood & Early Life
Leonard Cohen was born on September 21, 1934, in Westmount, Quebec, to Nathan Cohen and Marsha Klonitsky. He lost his father at the age of nine. He attended Roslyn Elementary School and later joined Westmount High School. During high school, he developed an interest in poetry and music, particularly the works of Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca. He also learned to play the guitar and eventually shifted from acoustic to classical guitar. Cohen went on to study at McGill University, where he was the president of the McGill Debating Union. He won the Chester MacNaghten Literary Competition with his poems “Sparrows” and “Thought of a Landsman”. In 1954, his first poems were published in the CIV/n magazine. He completed his bachelor’s degree in arts in 1955 and was inspired by literary figures such as Walt Whitman, William Butler Yeats, Henry Miller, Irving Layton, and Federico Garcia Lorca. In 1956, he published his first book of poems, “Let Us Compare Mythologies”, dedicated to his late father. He then attended McGill University Faculty of Law and later joined the School of General Studies at Columbia University in New York.
Career
After returning to Montreal in 1957, Cohen worked various jobs while continuing to write poetry and fiction. In 1961, his collection of poetry titled “The Spice-Box of Earth” was published, which helped establish him as a poet in Canada. Throughout the 1960s, he wrote and published several novels and collections of poems, including “The Favourite Game”, “Beautiful Losers”, “Flowers for Hitler”, “Parasites of Heaven”, and “Selected Poems 1956-1968”. During this time, he also began focusing more on his musical career. His song “Suzanne”, sung by Judy Collins, became a hit and caught the attention of John H. Hammond, who signed Cohen to a contract with Columbia Records. In 1967, his album “Songs of Leonard Cohen” was released, followed by “Songs From a Room” and “Songs of Love and Hate”. In the early 1970s, he embarked on two tours and published his book “The Energy of Slaves”. He continued to release albums and books throughout the following decades, including “New Skin for the Old Ceremony”, “Various Positions”, “I’m Your Man”, “Book of Mercy”, “The Future”, “Ten New Songs”, “Dear Heather”, “Book of Longing”, “The Lyrics of Leonard Cohen”, and “Poems and Songs”. In 2012, he released the album “Old Ideas” and in 2014, he released “Popular Problems”, which won the Album of the Year award at the Juno Awards. He continued to work on music until his death in 2016, releasing his final album “You Want It Darker” shortly before his passing.
Major Works
One of Leonard Cohen’s most famous songs is “Hallelujah”, which has been covered by numerous artists in different languages and has sold millions of copies. It has also been featured in various movies and television shows.
Awards & Achievements
Leonard Cohen received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1991 and received the Juno Award for Best Male Vocalist in 1993. He was also awarded the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in the same year. In 1994, he won the Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year. He was honored with the Order of Canada in 2003 and was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2008, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec. He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2011, he received the Prince of Asturias Award for literature, and in 2013, he was named Artist of the Year at the Juno Awards.
Personal Life & Legacy
During the 1960s, Leonard Cohen was in a relationship with Marianne C. Stang Jensen Ihlen. He later had a relationship with artist Suzanne Elrod, with whom he had two children, Adam and Lorca. They never married and separated in 1979. Cohen was also involved with French photographer Dominique Issermann and actress Rebecca De Mornay. He remained active in his career until his death, despite battling various health issues, including cancer. He passed away on November 7, 2016, at the age of 82. He was laid to rest with a Jewish rite in a family plot, in accordance with his wishes.