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Leonard Cohen

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BIO

Leonard Norman Cohen CC GOQ (September 21, 1934 – November 7, 2016) was a Canadian singer-songwriter, poet, and novelist. Themes commonly explored throughout his work include faith and mortality, isolation and depression, betrayal and redemption, social and political conflict, and sexual and romantic love, desire, regret, and loss. He was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honour. In 2011, he received one of the Prince of Asturias Awards for literature and the ninth Glenn Gould Prize.



Cohen pursued a career as a poet and novelist during the 1950s and early 1960s, and did not begin a music career until 1966. His first album, Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), was followed by three more albums of folk music: Songs from a Room (1969), Songs of Love and Hate (1971) and New Skin for the Old Ceremony (1974). His 1977 record Death of a Ladies' Man, co-written and produced by Phil Spector, was a move away from Cohen's previous minimalist sound.

In 1979, Cohen returned with the more traditional Recent Songs, which blended his acoustic style with jazz, East Asian, and Mediterranean influences. Cohen's most famous song, "Hallelujah", was released on his seventh album, Various Positions (1984). I'm Your Man in 1988 marked Cohen's turn to synthesized productions. In 1992, Cohen released its follow-up, The Future, which had dark lyrics and references to political and social unrest.

Cohen returned to music in 2001 with the release of Ten New Songs, a major hit in Canada and Europe. His eleventh album, Dear Heather, followed in 2004. In 2005, Cohen discovered that his manager had stolen most of his money and sold his publishing rights, prompting a return to touring to recoup his losses. Following a successful string of tours between 2008 and 2013, he released three albums in the final years of his life: Old Ideas (2012), Popular Problems (2014), and You Want It Darker (2016), the last of which was released three weeks before his death. His posthumous, fifteenth, and final studio album Thanks for the Dance, was released in November 2019.

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked him number 103 in their "200 Greatest Singers of All Time" list.

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[West End, 2023]
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News


KINTSUGI/I WILL, LOVE Comes to Theater Basel
by Stephi Wild - Jun 12, 2025

With ‹Kintsugi / I Will, Love›, Ballett Basel invites you to an evening of two world premieres by choreographers Adolphe Binder and Jonathan E. Fredrickson.
Des Moines Performing Arts Reveals 2025 - 26 PRAIRIE MEADOWS LIVE AT THE TEMPLE CONCERT SERIES
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 10, 2025

Des Moines Performing Arts (DMPA) has announced new engagements headed to the Temple Theater as part of the 2025 - 26 Prairie Meadows Live at the Temple Concert Series.
Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Menken, & More Set for 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala
by Josh Sharpe - Jun 9, 2025

Kristin Chenoweth, Alan Menken, Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, and more will either present and/or perform at the 2025 Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner slated for Thursday, June 12th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City. 
Review: Corbett Prep's High School Summer Theatre Presents HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION
by Peter Nason - Jun 5, 2025

Before seeing a stunning youth production of Hadestown at Corbett Prep’s Farish Speakeasy, I ran into a friend standing in line.  “Hadestown is my all-time favorite musical, “ she told me.
Award-Winning Artist Elisapie Returning to New York This July
by Josh Sharpe - May 15, 2025

Inuk artist Elisapie will return to the United States this summer to perform at the Smithsonian’s National Museum for the American Indian in New York on July 11, and at the Summerscape Festival in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY on July 13.
Canadian Stage to Conclude Season with THE SOUND OF OUR NATION
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2025

Winding up an extraordinary spring, Canadian Stage has revealed the addition of a special concert event to cap off its record-breaking 24.25 season, THE SOUND OF OUR NATION: A CANADIAN SONGBOOK. Learn more!
Chris Pinnella 12-Piece Orchestra Sets Premiere At The Newtown Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - May 5, 2025

Vocalist Chris Pinnella will return to The Newtown Theatre after his sold out Christmas show this past December. Once again Pinnella will be bringing along his 12-Piece Orchestra as they take the stage Saturday May 10th at 8:00pm with this all new evening of music.
State Theatre New Jersey Will Present Judy Collins & Madeleine Peyroux
by Nicole Rosky - May 3, 2025

Join Grammy Award-winner Judy Collins as she performs her legendary 1967 album Wildflowers in its entirety. Collins is joined by Madeleine Peyroux, who has become one of the most acclaimed jazz singers since she began her illustrious career busking on the busy streets of Paris.  
Penn Live Arts Announces Music, Dance, and Theatre Lineups for 2025-26 Season
by A.A. Cristi - May 3, 2025

Penn Live Arts, known for its presentation of thought-provoking and transformational performances across multiple genres, announces its 2025-26 season, curated by Executive and Artistic Director Christopher A. Gruits.
Interview: Jerry Harrison of STOP MAKING SENSE at Southern Theatre
by Paul Batterson - Apr 22, 2025

Noted reviewer Leonard Maltin gave STOP MAKING SENSE four out of four stars and called it  one of the best concert films. The staging was ambitious: set pieces float in and out of the frame while screens project random images and words behind the band.
Jeremy Jordan and More Set for The Hylton Performing Arts Center 2025â€"26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 10, 2025

The Hylton Performing Arts Center has revealed its 2025–26 season of performances, featuring a wide range of artists, ensembles, and productions as part of its four main series. Learn more!
HEISENBERG Comes to the Chain Theatre Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Apr 4, 2025

New Music Theatre Project & Rapeteta Theatre Company will present Heisenberg, a new play, by Simon Stephens, directed by Tony and Oscar award-winning Mercedes Ruehl in her directorial debut.
Judy Collins To Play The Bank Of America Performing Arts Center
by Josh Sharpe - Apr 2, 2025

The American Theatre Guild will present the celebrated singer-songwriter Judy Collins at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
RISING Unveils 2025 Program In Melbourne
by Stephi Wild - Mar 25, 2025

RISING, Melbourne’s winter festival of new art, music and performance, has announced its 2025 program featuring; 65 events, 327 artists, 15 new commissions, 9 world premieres, 5 Australian and 10 Victorian.
Chris Pinnella Brings His 12-Piece Orchestra Red Bank This Summer
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 21, 2025

Chris Pinnella returns to The Vogel at the Count Basie Center for the Performing Arts, after his sold out Christmas shows this past December. Once again Pinnella will be bringing along his phenomenal 12-Piece Orchestra as they take the stage July 27th at 7:00pm.
Review: JUDY COLLINS & FRIENDS: 85 YEARS OF PROTEST & MUSIC Stuns at The Town Hall
by Andrew Poretz - Mar 12, 2025

Legendary singer, songwriter, musician and social activist Judy Collins celebrated 85 years on planet earth along with International Women’s Day at The Town Hall on March 8 with a concert, many musical friends, and a full house.
Music At Emory To Present The Music Of Philip Glass This Month
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 8, 2025

Pianist Vladimir Milošević and cellist Nemanja Stanković perform a concert of  music of Philip Glass on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 8:00PM at Emory University's Performing Arts Studio. 
Review: CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN: LOVE LETTER â€" ADELAIDE FESTIVAL 2025 at Her Majesty's Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
by Barry Lenny - Mar 6, 2025

Let’s hope that we don’t have to wait too long for another visit.
Oracle Sisters Release New Album 'Divinations'
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 14, 2025

The Paris-based three-piece Oracle Sisters - Julia Johansen, Chris Willatt & Lewis Lazar - have released their new album Divinations. The album was written in response to what the band saw and felt on their 2023 US tour. Listen to it here.
Madame Martha's After Dark: The Parisian Cabaret Comes to Adelaide Fringe
by Stephi Wild - Feb 12, 2025

Direct from sold-out seasons across Australia Adelaide Fringe audiences are invited to step into the sensational underground Parisian cabaret where Vogue-posing, Fosse-popping, French-lace-drenched club kittens take you on a wild ride.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has Leonard Cohen written?

Leonard Cohen has written 1 shows including The Leonard Cohen Show (Source Material).

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