Leonard Cohen, one of Canada's most iconic singer-songwriters, has died at the age of 82.
Leonard Cohen performs live on stage at O2 Arena on Sept. 15, 2013 in London. (Photo: Simone Joyner/Redferns via Getty Images)
"It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away," according to a statement posted on his official Facebook Page.
"We have lost one of music’s most revered and prolific visionaries."
A memorial is scheduled for Los Angeles at a later date, it said, adding that "the family requests privacy during their time of grief."
Leonard Cohen poses backstage at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, March 2008 in New York. (Photo: Evan Agostini/The Associated Press)
Cohen, who favoured black suits, fedoras and tweed caps, was born in Montreal on Sept. 21, 1934, to a middle-class family.
He studied at the same high school as Canadian poet Irving Layton — who he credited as one of his influences — and after learning the guitar formed a country group known as the Buckskin Boys.
A big break came in 1966 when Judy Collins recorded his standard "Suzanne," and he came out with his first album "Songs of Leonard Cohen" the same year.
With files from The Huffington Post Canada
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