Justin Trudeau Issues Official Statement On The Death Of Leonard Cohen While Tributes Pour In
In a year that started out with the shocking death of David Bowie, then a few months later Prince, the death of artistic visionary, poet, singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen has devastated music fans. To some, Leonard Cohen was a sardonic “Canadian Bob Dylan.” His songs have been covered by artists from Jeff Buckley and Rufus Wainwright to Lou Reed and U2. In a week where much of the world and half of the United States has mourned the election of Donald Trump to the United States Presidency, the haunting words of Leonard Cohen could not ring truer. What did Prime Minister Justin Trudeau say?
Leonard Cohen dying is so goddamned symbolic right now. You just don't let up, do you 2016?
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) November 11, 2016
The official news release from Ottawa, the capital of Canada, came just a few hours after the death of the 82-year old singer and songwriter. Rightfully calling Cohen “legendary,” Trudeau went on to briefly memorialize the strong body of work that Cohen created. Calling his lyrics “haunting” and reminding us that “Cohen is as relevant today as he was in the 1960s,” Trudeau paid homage to the “Montrealer.”
Full statement on the passing of Leonard Cohen: https://t.co/shL2GeMy6k
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 11, 2016
While Leonard Norman Cohen’s career spanned over 50 years, it was more recently that he received many accolades including a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2010. In addition to many Canadian honors, Cohen was inducted into the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“It is with deep sorrow that I learned today of the death of the legendary Leonard Cohen.
“A most remarkable Montrealer, Leonard Cohen managed to reach the highest of artistic achievement, both as an acclaimed poet and a world-renowned singer-songwriter. He will be fondly remembered for his gruff vocals, his self-deprecating humour and the haunting lyrics that made his songs the perennial favourite of so many generations.
“Leonard Cohen is as relevant today as he was in the 1960s. His ability to conjure the vast array of human emotion made him one of the most influential and enduring musicians ever. His style transcended the vagaries of fashion.
“Leonard Cohen was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 2003 and received many artistic honours during his lifetime, including being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“He received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 2010 and was awarded the Glenn Gould Prize for lifetime achievement in the arts in 2011. In 2013, with a career already spanning more than fifty years, he won Junos as Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for his 2012 album Old Ideas. His music had withstood the test of time.
“On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I wish to express our deepest sympathies to Leonard Cohen’s family, friends, colleagues and many, many fans.
“Leonard, no other artist’s poetry and music felt or sounded quite like yours. We’ll miss you.”
Rolling Stone has reported that while there is no information on when Cohen died and the cause of his death, they did issue a statement from Cohen’s son Adam.
“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.”
Adam went on to say that Cohen was writing until he died, being the true poet and artist that he was.
Up and coming Alt Country sensation, Margo Price, who just recently performed a duet with Jack White on the Prairie Home Companion season opener, honored Cohen.
“Just when things can’t get worse, we’ve lost one of the most prolific writers of all time. Goodbye Leonard Cohen.”
Just when things can't get worse, we've lost one of the most prolific writers of all time. Goodbye Leonard Cohen. ? pic.twitter.com/tmQoVGQoTK
— Margo Price (@MissMargoPrice) November 11, 2016
The oft-covered Cohen has some remakes that have overshadowed his own work. The late Jeff Buckley recorded a remarkable version of Cohen’s “Hallelujah” that currently has over 80 million hits on Youtube.
And Johnette Neapolitan with Concrete Blonde performed the deeply dark “Everybody Knows” for the Pump Up The Volume soundtrack about 25 years ago.
Do you have a favorite Leonard Cohen song or a favorite version of one of Cohen’s songs?
[Featured Image by Evening Standard/Getty Images]
