Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen

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Biography

Leonard Cohen (born 21.9.1934) Leonard Cohen is a highly revered Canadian songwriter, musician and poet.

Childhood: Leonard Cohen was born to his Jewish parents in Montreal, Quebec and it was here that his father owned a clothing store, though he died when Leonard was just nine years old. Leonard attended Herzliah High School, along with the poet Irving Layton.

Cohen learned to play the guitar as a teenager and formed a folk-country group named the Buckskin Boys. When his father died, he was left with enough money in a trust fund to allow him to pursue his interests in the arts.

A Life in the Arts: As a poet, Leonard Cohen was influenced by the likes of Walt Whitman, Federico Garcia Lorca and Henry Miller. Cohen's own poetry was published for the first time in the volume entitled Let Us Compare Mythologies, whilst he was still a student. His 1961 collection The Spice-Box of Earth raised his profile in literary circles, especially in Canada. He went on to publish further volumes of poetry, as well as works of fiction (such as the Favourite Game) whilst living on the Greek island, Hydra.

Leonard Cohen then moved to the United States in 1967, in order to develop his career as a folk musician. He became involved in Andy Warhol's New York art scene, mingling with notorious figures such as Nico and the Velvet Underground.

Cohen's song 'Suzanne' became a hit for the folk singer Judy Collins and his own performances soon became a focus of attention for Columbia Records. Leonard Cohen's debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen was released in 1969 and became a cult hit, especially in the UK.

The follow-up albums from Leonard Cohen were equally popular: Songs From a Room (1969), Songs of Love and Hate (1971) and Live Songs (1973) and New Skin For the Old Ceremony (1974). This prolific output was also punctuated by an inclusion of Cohen's music on the soundtrack to the Robert Altman film McCabe & Mrs. Miller.

Whilst these early albums were being promoted, Leonard Cohen also toured the US, Canada and Europe, with Jennifer Warnes as backing singer and with the pianist and arranger John Lissauer contributing to the live set-up.

Death of a Ladies' Man was released in 1977, with Phil Spector on production duties. It has been reported that Phil Spector (well-known for his volatile behaviour) threatened Cohen with a crossbow. Artists such as The Beatles and The Ramones have also worked with Spector and made similar comments regarding his behaviour. Deciding to return to a more traditional sound, Leonard Cohen made Recent Songs, which he co produced with Joni Mitchell's sound engineer, Henry Lewy.

The 1980s saw Leonard Cohen release albums such as Dance Me To The End of Love and I'm Your Man. The former included the song 'Hallelujah', which has famously been covered by Jeff Buckley, John Cale, KD Lang and the UK X Factor winner Alexandra Burke. The latter included one of Cohen's most popular songs, 'First We Take Manhattan'.

'Everybody Knows' has been included on two film soundtracks: 1990's Pump Up The Volume and 1994's Exotica. Three tracks from Leonard Cohen's album The Future were featured in the controversial film Natural Born Killers.

In 1994, Leonard Cohen retreated from public life and joined the Mt. Baldy Zen Centre, where he remained and became ordained as a Buddhist monk. Ten New Songs was Leonard Cohen's first release since joining the centre and was released in 2001.

This was followed three years later with Dear Heather, which was mainly a collaboration with his partner of the time, Ajani Thomas, though it also saw a return to working with the composer Sharon Robinson. Anjani and Leonard then went on to co-write another album, Blue Alert.

In 2006, Leonard Cohen published a book of drawings and poetry, entitled Book of Longing. Cohen's first public appearance in 13 years came at an in-store event at a Toronto bookstore. He was accompanied by Ron Sexsmith and Barenaked Ladies. An eagerly-awaited tour then followed in 2008, including a much-lauded performance at that year's Glastonbury Festival.

When Leonard Cohen was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, he was introduced by Lou Reed.



Biography by Contactmusic.com

A Posthumous Leonard Cohen Album Is In The Works


Leonard Cohen

A posthumous album from Leonard Cohen is in the pipeline, according to the late singer’s son and long-time producer Adam.

One of the most influential and respected singer-songwriters of the pop era, Leonard Cohen passed away in 2016 at the age of 82, just a couple of months after releasing the final album in his lifetime, You Want It Darker.

His son, Adam Cohen, worked as the producer on that album, and he told CBC’s ‘q’ programme this week, in an interview due to be aired in full on Monday (October 1st) that some recently discovered songs in near/part completion are being put together for a posthumous release at some point in 2019.

Continue reading: A Posthumous Leonard Cohen Album Is In The Works

Legendary Singer-Songwriter Leonard Cohen Dies Aged 82


Leonard Cohen

Critically adored singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, famous for his lyrical inventiveness and dark humour, has passed away at the age of 82.

Tributes to the Canadian cult icon, who influenced hundreds of subsequent songwriters, flooded in after his death was announced via the singer’s official Facebook page on Thursday evening (November 10th).

“It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away,” the statement read. “We have lost one of music’s most revered and prolific visionaries.”

Continue reading: Legendary Singer-Songwriter Leonard Cohen Dies Aged 82

Leonard Cohen performs at The O2, Dublin, Ireland - Wednesday 11th September 2013

Leonard Cohen

Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen seen leaving Madigans Bar on O'Connell Street with an unidentified woman. Cohen is due to perform at The O2 on 11th - 12th September. - Dublin, Ireland - Monday 9th September 2013

Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen

Singer- songwriter, musician, poet, and novelist Leonard Cohen performs at James L. Knight Center - Miami, Florida, United States - Wednesday 20th March 2013

Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen Writes Heartbreaking Final Letter To Muse Marianne


Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen penned one final letter to his muse Marianne Ihlen before her death on July 29th at the age of 81, her friend has revealed. Ihlen and Cohen had been lovers in the 1960s and she served as the inspiration for some of his most famous songs, including ‘Bird on a Wire’ and ‘So Long, Marianne’.

Leonard CohenLeonard Cohen wrote one final letter to his muse Marianne Ihlen before her death

Speaking to CBC radio, her close friend Jan Christian Mollestad said he had written to Cohen after he found out Ihlen was dying of leukaemia. Two hours after sending the letter to Cohen he received a letter in return, which he brought to the hospital to read to Ihlen the next day.

Continue reading: Leonard Cohen Writes Heartbreaking Final Letter To Muse Marianne

Five Examples Of Pop Stars Becoming Authors


Morrissey Nick Cave Courtney Love Bruce Dickinson The Decemberists Leonard Cohen

Eagle-eyed indie fans will have seen the hilarious news that Morrissey has been nominated for the ‘Bad Sex Award’ by The Literary Review this week. His first fictional work ‘List of the Lost’, arriving two years after 2013’s notorious ‘Autobiography’, received wildly mixed reviews from most critics.

The nominated passage of ‘erotic’ prose contains the memorable phrase ‘bulbous salutation’. He may be lauded as the lead singer of The Smiths and as a solo artist, but it’s unlikely that his fiction will be remembered in quite the same way, if this is anything to go by.

However, success on the stage doesn’t necessarily preclude a rock star from enjoying successful pursuits as writers. Here are some other, more accomplished examples of rock stars writing prose instead of lyrics.

Continue reading: Five Examples Of Pop Stars Becoming Authors

Leonard Cohen’s Jewish Faith Leads To Rearranged Dates


Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen has rescheduled a date on his tour due to his religious faith. The gig, originally penned in for September 14th, will now take place a day later on the 15th, and AEG have apologized for any inconvenience caused.

Leonard Cohen

The promoter was forced to release a statement saying that when Cohen “learned that two of his UK concerts were scheduled on days of solemn religious observance, he respectfully asked AEG to move the dates”. It continued: “We at AEG, and Leonard, apologise deeply for the inconvenience this will cause,” adding they hoped the fans would understand."

Continue reading: Leonard Cohen’s Jewish Faith Leads To Rearranged Dates

Leonard Cohen Sunday 16th September 2012 out and about with his grandson in Dublin

Leonard Cohen

Leonard Cohen, Old Ideas Album Review


Leonard Cohen's 12th studio album in 45 years is an understated, spiritual reflection on the virtues of old age. Unlike latter day returns to form for Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash, Old Ideas isn't meant to reclaim a reputation; instead it's more a summation of a career. However similarly to his contemporaries the 77 year old mines a rich vein of religion, love and death to create some of the most compelling songs of his career.

Leonard Cohen - Old Ideas Album Review

Continue reading: Leonard Cohen, Old Ideas Album Review

Leonard Cohen

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Leonard Cohen

Date of birth

21st September, 1934

Occupation

Musician

Sex

Male

Height

1.74




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