Leonard Cohen
Biography
Leonard Norman Cohen (September 21, 1934 – November 7, 2016) was a Canadian singer, songwriter, poet, and novelist. His work often explored themes of religion, politics, isolation, sexuality, and personal relationships. Cohen's distinctive, deep baritone voice and the profound lyrical depth of his songs established him as one of the most influential and enduring artists of his generation.
Early Life and Literary Career
Born in Westmount, Quebec, into a middle-class Jewish family, Cohen showed an early interest in poetry and music. He learned to play guitar as a teenager and formed a country-folk group called the Buckskin Boys. Cohen attended McGill University, where he won the McNaughton Prize for creative writing before graduating with a degree in English literature in 1955. His first book of poetry, "Let Us Compare Mythologies," was published in 1956.
In the 1960s, Cohen moved to the Greek island of Hydra, where he wrote two novels, "The Favourite Game" (1963) and "Beautiful Losers" (1966), and several poetry collections. Despite critical acclaim for his literary work, financial necessity and a growing interest in the burgeoning folk music scene led him to pursue a career in music.
Music Career
1960s and 1970s: Folk Beginnings
Cohen moved to New York City in 1966 and was soon recognized for his songwriting prowess. Folk singer Judy Collins recorded his song "Suzanne," which became a hit. This success led to his own recording contract with Columbia Records. His 1967 debut album, "Songs of Leonard Cohen," featured classics like "Suzanne," "Sisters of Mercy," and "So Long, Marianne." He followed this with a series of acclaimed folk albums: "Songs from a Room" (1969), which included "Bird on the Wire," "Songs of Love and Hate" (1971), and "New Skin for the Old Ceremony" (1974).
In 1977, he collaborated with producer Phil Spector on the album "Death of a Ladies' Man," a departure from his minimalist sound. He returned to a more traditional style with "Recent Songs" in 1979.
1980s and 1990s: A New Sound and "Hallelujah"
The 1980s saw Cohen embrace synthesizers, which defined the sound of his 1984 album "Various Positions." This album included "Hallelujah," a song that initially went largely unnoticed but has since become his most famous and widely covered composition. The 1988 album "I'm Your Man" was a commercial success, followed by the politically charged "The Future" in 1992. After its release, Cohen retreated to the Mt. Baldy Zen Center for five years, where he was ordained as a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk.
Later Career and Final Albums
Cohen returned to music in 2001 with "Ten New Songs." After discovering that his manager had embezzled millions of dollars, he began extensive touring in 2008 to recoup his losses. These tours were met with widespread critical and popular acclaim. In his final years, he released a trilogy of powerful albums: "Old Ideas" (2012), "Popular Problems" (2014), and his final masterpiece, "You Want It Darker" (2016), which was released just weeks before his death. Cohen died in his sleep at his Los Angeles home on November 7, 2016, at the age of 82.
Legacy and Awards
Leonard Cohen is regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honor. He also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010 and the Prince of Asturias Award for Literature in 2011. For the title track of his final album, he posthumously received a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance.