Leonard Cohen Update: Music Icon Responsible For 'Hallelujah' Dies At 82, Artists Mourn Loss [VIDEO]
Leonard Cohen has died at the age of 82, providing yet another crushing blow to the music industry in 2016.
Cohen passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles this week. The legendary singer-songwriter's death was confirmed by a new post on his official Facebook page.
"It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away," the post read. "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."
Cohen's son, Adam, wrote about the musician's death in a new statement to Rolling Stone.
"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 wrote. "He was writing up until his last moments with his unique brand of humor."
Cohen just released his latest album, You Want It Darker, on Oct. 21. The album has become one of the most critically acclaimed of the year.
The musician created numerous classics over the course of his career, though none more beloved than the frequently-covered "Hallelujah". Other notable songs from Cohen include "Suzanne", "Bird on a Wire", "Dance Me to the End of Love", "Take This Waltz" and "I'm Your Man".
His pop culture impact extended through his entire five-decade career, including his song "Nevermind" being the theme song for True Detective season 2. "Hallelujah" has been covered by a huge multitude of artists and is widely considered one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
Numerous singers and musicians have reacted to death of Cohen on Twitter:
Leonard Cohen was unique - a giant of a man and a brilliant songwriter. Irreplaceable. Loved him and his wonderful music. #LeonardCohen #RIP pic.twitter.com/MZchwonM6g
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) November 11, 2016
Very sad news about Mr Leonard Cohen. One of the most important artists and lyricists, RIP.
— James Bay (@JamesBayMusic) November 11, 2016
"So sad to hear of the passing of Leonard Cohen - thank you for so many years of music and for your enormous... https://t.co/gdgDYQdhRo
— Mark Knopfler (@MarkKnopfler) November 11, 2016
1/2 For many of us Leonard Cohen was the greatest songwriter of them all. Utterly unique and impossible to imitate...
— Nick Cave & TBS (@nickcave) November 11, 2016
The fragileness of life has been once again exposed with the passing on of Leonard Cohen. May God grant him peace...forever.
— Yusuf / Cat Stevens (@YusufCatStevens) November 11, 2016
We have lost a great artist, poet and poignant force of energy. R.I.P Leonard Cohen.
— Boy George (@BoyGeorge) November 11, 2016
"There is a crack in everything that is how the light gets in"RIP Leonard Cohen greatest wordsmith of all time. I am bereft.
— Paloma Faith (@Palomafaith) November 11, 2016
And now 2016 has taken the genius #LeonardCohen...his lyrics were beyond compare.
— Melissa Etheridge (@metheridge) November 11, 2016
#RIPLeonardCohen
A spirit and soul beyond compare.— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) November 11, 2016