Leonard Cohen has died at age 82

Canadian-born singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen has sadly passed away at age 82. The multi-talented artist, who was oftentimes compared to Bob Dylan when in regards to his influence, left behind two children, two grandchildren and an impressive career of work spanning five decades. No date or cause of death have been released.

News of Cohen’s death was revealed Thursday, Nov. 11 via the musician’s Facebook page, with the following a statement:

“It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away. We have lost one of music’s most revered and prolific visionaries. A memorial will take place in Los Angeles at a later date. The family requests privacy during their time of grief.”

The somber news comes on the heels of the release of Cohen’s latest album, You Want It Darker, which came out October 21. The album was recorded in Cohen’s home and went on to receive widespread critical acclaim.

In recent years, Cohen has largely been absent from the public eye. He made a stage resurgence in 2008, playing approximately 370 shows throughout the following few years, according to Rolling Stone, until his final show at Auckland, New Zealand’s Vector Arena on Dec. 21, 2013.

In more recent news, Cohen’s farewell letter to muse Marianne C. Stang Jensen Ihlen was read at her funeral back in July. It stated:

“It’s come to this time when we are really so old and our bodies are falling apart and I think I will follow you very soon. Know that I am so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine. And you know that I’ve always loved you for your beauty and your wisdom, but I don’t need to say anything more about that because you know all about that. But now, I just want to wish you a very good journey. Goodbye old friend. Endless love, see you down the road.”

Adam Cohen, who co-produced his father’s new album, had this to say of his passing. “My father passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles with the knowledge that he had completed what he felt was one of his greatest records. He was writing up until his last moments with his unique brand of humor.”

Cohen’s extensive body of work often explored politics and religion as well as themes of life, love, death and despair. Along with being a musician and singer, he was a poet, painter and a novelist. He wrote the song “Suzanne,” which later became a hit for Judy Collins, but he is most widely known and likely to be remembered most fondly for his beloved track “Hallelujah.”

See a few of the tributes from his fellow musicians and artists below.