Tributes have been pouring in following news of the death of legendary singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen at the age of 82.
The news of the late musician and poet’s death was confirmed via his official Facebook page. The post 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.”
Cohen’s son Adam has told Rolling Stone that his father died peacefully at home “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 manager Robert Kory also told the publication: “Unmatched in his creativity, insight and crippling candour, Leonard Cohen was a true visionary whose voice will be sorely missed. I was blessed to call him a friend, and for me to serve that bold artistic spirit firsthand, was a privilege and great gift. He leaves behind a legacy of work that will bring insight, inspiration and healing for generations to come.”
Following the news, many fellow musicians, politicians and celebrities alike have been paying tribute to Cohen via social media. Canada’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, wrote: “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.”
Fellow Canadian Win Butler, of Arcade Fire, added: “Seeing Leonard Cohen walking on St Laurent street [in Montreal] when I was 21 was enough to make me feel like I had a home”.
Other artists to pay tribute to Cohen include Slash, Nick Cave, Lily Allen, Justin Timberlake and Peter Hook. See more below.
For many of us Leonard Cohen was the greatest songwriter of them all. Utterly unique and impossible to imitate no matter how hard we tried. He will be deeply missed by so many. – Nick Cave
Posted by Nick Cave on Friday, November 11, 2016
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.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 11, 2016
Next year can only be better. Seeing Leonard Cohen walking on St Laurent street when I was 21 was enough to make me feel like I had a home
— win butler (@DJWindows98) November 11, 2016
very upsetting news 2 learn of Leonard's passing. the world has 1 less gentle soul tnight. we thank u 4 the multitude of gifts u left us. jc
— John Cale (@therealjohncale) November 11, 2016
As of the week could get any worse. Thank you Leonard Cohen, for all the things. Rest In Peace
— LILYALLEN2.0 (@lilyallen) November 11, 2016
A spirit and soul beyond compare.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) November 11, 2016
Oh man. ? RIP Leonard Cohen. Thank you for the most beautiful song ever written: https://t.co/pqVvKvVDy3
— Best Coast (@BestCoast) November 11, 2016
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMpzoMegtdW/
https://twitter.com/QtipTheAbstract/status/796899547163328512
"I've seen the future, brother. It is murder." #thankyouleonardcohen
— Hozier (@Hozier) November 11, 2016
Rest in peace Leonard Cohen x
— Biffy Clyro (@BiffyClyro) November 11, 2016
http://twitter.com/laurenlaverne/status/796979213840556032
So long, Leonard Cohen https://t.co/BzhSYYWQEU The opening line of this song is "If you are the dealer, I'm out of the game" pic.twitter.com/eQK0gsWYex
— Tim Burgess (@Tim_Burgess) November 11, 2016
Oh god. Not Leonard Cohen too. RIP. Contender for the greatest songwriter ever.
— Frank Turner (@frankturner) November 11, 2016
So long Leonard Cohen… another of the best takes off https://t.co/s3YZNE1pWp
— Rob da Bank (@RobdaBank) November 11, 2016
leonard cohen ?
— Alanis Morissette (@Alanis) November 11, 2016
RIP Leonard Cohen. Ugh. It feels pointed, this death. It's making us remember songs like Come Healing which is a good one for these days
— Sarah Silverman (@SarahKSilverman) November 11, 2016
RIP Leonard Cohen. He got out just in time.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) November 11, 2016
Thank you for the beautiful music & poetry Leonard Cohen.This was one of the most magical moments we have witnessed https://t.co/xgXz1E9AhG
— Emily Eavis (@emilyeavis) November 11, 2016
RIP LEONARD COHEN
Devastating news…My life was forever changed by his music and words
He'll will never be forgotten Love Always RS— Ron Sexsmith (@RonSexsmith) November 11, 2016
Rest In Peace to an artist that every artist strives to be like… pic.twitter.com/2WQvLBv4wT
— Wade MacNeil (@wade_macneil) November 11, 2016
We have lost a great artist, poet and poignant force of energy. R.I.P Leonard Cohen.
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) November 11, 2016
A brilliant Canadian artist passed today. Leonard Cohen, rest in peace. Hallelujah.
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) November 11, 2016
I've experienced the loss of many legends but never have I seen so many of their works quoted in their passing. #LeonardCohen
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) November 11, 2016
Dear Leonard Cohen, thanks for the quiet nights, the reflection, the perspective, the wry smiles and the truth #towerofsong
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 11, 2016
One of the best concerts of my life. Could hear a pin drop. The poetry & the reverence. Waiting for every precious word. RIP Leonard Cohen.
— josh groban (@joshgroban) November 11, 2016
Kids. Take a moment to listen to Leonard Cohen's song Going Home when you can. RIP L Cohen and thank you.
— benjamin folds (@BenFolds) November 11, 2016
RIP Leonard Cohen – God bless. X
— Peter Hook (@peterhook) November 11, 2016
"First we take Manhattan."-Leonard Cohen #Cry #Fight #Hallelujah #Onward pic.twitter.com/VvUxmI8hs9
— Tom Morello (@tmorello) November 11, 2016
R.I.P. my favorite singing millionaire. https://t.co/mDHa2AjnWZ
— car seat headrest (@carseatheadrest) November 11, 2016
R.I.P. Leonard Cohen
— Carole King (@Carole_King) November 11, 2016
"There is a crack in everything,
That's how the light gets in."RIP Leonard Cohen.
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) 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
Leonard Cohen has died. Another magical voice stilled.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) November 11, 2016
Looks like freedom but it feels like death
It's something in between, I guess
It's closing time . RIP Leonard Cohen. pic.twitter.com/C61FNULS4p— Xabi Alonso (@XabiAlonso) November 11, 2016
"He set the standard for all songwriters everywhere" @frankturner on #LeonardCohen https://t.co/Heu3VYv1Ty
— Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) November 11, 2016
Less than a month ago, Leonard Cohen revealed in an interview with The New Yorker that he was ready to die.
Discussing his archive of unfinished songs during an in-depth interview, Cohen said: “I don’t think I’ll be able to finish those songs. Maybe, who knows? And maybe I’ll get a second wind, I don’t know. But I don’t dare attach myself to a spiritual strategy. I don’t dare do that.”
“I’ve got some work to do,” 82-year-old Cohen continued. “Take care of business. I am ready to die. I hope it’s not too uncomfortable. That’s about it for me.”
He later clarified the comments saying “I’ve always been into self-dramatisation. I intend to live forever.”
At the end of the playback, Cohen added: “Thanks for coming, friends. I really appreciate your standing up when I came into the room. I hope we can do this again. I intend to stick around until 120.”
Cohen released his 14th album, ‘You Want It Darker’, on October 21. It was the iconic artist’s third LP in six years, having not released a record for eight years prior to that.