In Memoriam
Leonard Cohen
September 21, 1934 – November 7, 2016 · aged 82
Folk · Spoken Word
Leonard Norman Cohen was the poet laureate of despair, romance, and spiritual yearning. Born in Quebec in 1934, Cohen was a highly respected novelist and poet before he ever picked up a guitar and recorded his debut album at the age of 33. Armed with an incredibly deep, resonant baritone and a nylon-string classical guitar, he crafted some of the most literate, profound, and melancholy songs of the 20th century. His magnum opus, 'Hallelujah,' took him five years to write and was initially rejected by his record label, yet it eventually became one of the most covered and beloved anthems in modern history. Cohen explored the complex intersections of religion, politics, isolation, and sexuality with unmatched eloquence. Much like David Bowie, Cohen faced his impending death with immense artistic grace, releasing the critically lauded, deeply reflective album 'You Want It Darker' just weeks before he died in his sleep following a fall on November 7, 2016. He was 82 years old.
Milestones
Hallelujah, Suzanne, You Want It Darker
Also remembered in 2016
- David Bowie (1947–2016)
- George Michael (1963–2016)
- Maurice White (1941–2016)
- Prince (1958–2016)