It has been said, Leonard Cohen believes the work he has produced was appreciated more by the Europeans than the North Americans. Consequently, Cohen has dubbed his music, the European blues. Cohen was born on September 21, 1934 in Westmount, Quebec, Canada. At an early age, Cohen distinguished himself as an accomplished poet, his first book of poetry, Let Us Compare Mythologies, was published when he was 22 years old. Cohen went on to publish several books of poetry. Seven years after his first book of poetry was published, Cohen published his first of two novels, The Favorite Games, and in 1966, the second, Beautiful Lovers was published.
Cohen is a trend-setter in the poetry and music industry and an inspiration to many poets who have come after him. While studying at McGill University in Montreal, Cohen formed a trio called The Buckskin Boys. His artistic genius was demonstrated in his debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen (1967), and reaffirmed in the many albums after that. He put music to the songs he wrote using his poems as the lyrics.
Despite his many accomplishments, Cohen is a humble man and confesses that writing does not come easy to him. Cohen is reported as saying that he is not a spontaneous, visceral kind of chap in fact: "Most of the time I detest the process." He credits his many successes to self discipline rather than talent. This discipline stems from the spiritual roots that developed during his boyhood relationship with his maternal grandfather, Rabbi Solomon Klinitsky-Klein. Although there are biblical threads in much of his poetry and songs, Sisters of Mercy being one of his greatest hits, Cohen denies that he is devoted to biblical studies. His spiritual roots also extended into religious experiences, later in life, including Judaism, Christianity, and Buddhism.
He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and North America, building an international reputation as one of Canada's most gifted and influential poets; using songs to convey the stories that he had to tell. In 2009, in celebration of his 75th birthday, Cohen travelled around the world performing live to sold out concerts. For more than fifty years many people have heard his poetry through the verses in his songs.
Suzanne Elrod was once Cohen's love and some believe that they were at one time married, but Cohen has never publicly confirmed the marriage. He had two children with Elrod a son, Adam, born in 1972, and a daughter, Lorca, born in 1974. The poem and song, Suzanne, named after Elrod, is one of Cohen's best know songs. Equally as mysterious is Cohen's relationship with Marianne. There is controversy surrounding the subject behind the song. Some believe the subject to be a woman in Cohen's past, and others say it is a street in Quebec where Cohen once lived; again, Cohen is not telling. The song Chelsea Hotel No. 2 tells the story of perhaps the most famous of Cohen's loves, Janis Joplin.
Even those close to him describe Cohen as a very private person, who rarely expresses his inner feelings. In keeping with his semi-reclusive lifestyle, Cohen at one time practiced Zen Buddhism, and was sometimes referred to as a wondering monk. The best way (perhaps the only way) to know what kind of man Cohen is inside, is to read his poetry.
Many books, articles, and on-line references have been written about Cohen's works, and many more have chronicled his life. However, few have written about the accreditations Cohen has received. In October 1993, Cohen received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for his contribution to Canadian music. He has also been inducted into three halls of fame: the Canadian Music, the Canadian Songwriters, and the American Rock and Roll.
Cohen is incorrect in his assertion that Europeans are more appreciative of his achievements than the North Americans. There have been numerous Canadians and Americans who have not only purchased and enjoyed his music and poetry, but have also written many books and films about the man and his poems. Cohen did have a few critics, but even they had to concede the lyrics of his songs, the verses of his poems, and the prose of novels reflect great and amazing talent.