Leonard Cohen

Date of Birth: September 21, 1934

Zodiac Sign: Virgo

Date of Death: November 7, 2016

Biography

Leonard Cohen was a Canadian singer, songwriter, poet, and novelist, often regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Born in Westmount, Quebec, Cohen developed an early interest in poetry and music, eventually blending these two passions into a unique career that spanned five decades. His deep, gravelly voice and profound lyrics touched on themes of love, faith, politics, and personal introspection, earning him a devoted following worldwide. Cohen’s artistic journey began with poetry and novels in the 1950s and 1960s, but he transitioned to music in the late 1960s, releasing his debut album “Songs of Leonard Cohen” in 1967. The album featured iconic tracks like “Suzanne” and “So Long, Marianne.” Known for his meticulous and often melancholic style, Cohen’s music evolved over the years, incorporating various genres from folk to synth-pop. Despite his initial struggles with performance anxiety, Cohen became a compelling live performer, renowned for his deep connection with audiences. He released numerous critically acclaimed albums, including “Songs of Love and Hate,” “Various Positions,” and “I’m Your Man.” His song “Hallelujah,” covered by countless artists, remains a modern classic. In addition to his music career, Cohen was a published poet and novelist, with works such as “The Favourite Game” and “Beautiful Losers” adding to his literary acclaim. Leonard Cohen passed away on November 7, 2016, leaving behind a legacy of profound artistic contributions.

5 Interesting Facts about Leonard Cohen

1. Leonard Cohen was inducted into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

2. Cohen spent several years in a Zen Buddhist monastery in the 1990s, where he was ordained as a Rinzai Zen Buddhist monk.

3. His song “Hallelujah” took five years to write and originally had 80 verses.

4. Leonard Cohen’s song “Everybody Knows” was featured prominently in the 1990 film “Pump Up the Volume.”

5. Cohen was awarded a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Leonard Cohen

1. “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.”

2. “Act the way you’d like to be and soon you’ll be the way you act.”

3. “Poetry is just the evidence of life. If your life is burning well, poetry is just the ash.”

4. “I have always been free to shape my own destiny.”

5. “My reputation as a ladies’ man was a joke that caused me to laugh bitterly through the ten thousand nights I spent alone.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Leonard Cohen achieved a highest net worth of approximately $40 million.

Children

Leonard Cohen had two children with artist Suzanne Elrod: a son, Adam Cohen, who is a musician and singer-songwriter, and a daughter, Lorca Cohen, who is a photographer and videographer.