Artists of all kinds are mourning the loss of singer, songwriter and poet Leonard Cohen.
Blue Rodeo frontman Jim Cuddy told CTV News Channel: “He was a guiding light in music. A guiding light about precision and beauty and humour and lyrics. Also, a shining light as an individual.”
“He was really a gentleman too. […] This guy was elegant in every moment,” he said speaking about a time he ran into Cohen in a deli.
Canadian singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith said Cohen reshaped his understanding of music at the age of 21.
“I was always into the Beatles and the Kinks, and when I heard Leonard it made me wonder if it was okay to listen to the Beatles and the Kinks anymore. Because his music and his lyrics had so much, sort of, you know, this weight to it and this substance,” he told CTV News Channel.
Sexsmith said the news was particularly difficult to process after “the recent election down south.”
“It’s just been a bad week, you know?”
Gordon Lightfood said in a statement: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my contemporary, colleague, fellow Canadian and my dear friend Leonard Cohen. He loved music and his music affected millions of people around the world. He will be greatly missed. I offer my deepest condolences to his family as they grieve this tremendous loss."
Joni Mitchell told the story of how she met Leonard at Newport Folk Festival back in 1967 on her website, adding: "Our hearts go out to all those who loved Leonard Cohen," at the end.
Canadian performer k.d. lang, who famously covered Cohen’s "Hallelujah," was among the first to share her sorrow after learning on Thursday of his death at 82.
Thank you Leonard Cohen
— k.d. lang (@kdlang) November 11, 2016
Swift rebirth my friend.
Later in a statement she added: "An elegant practitioner of the senses. Fully engaged in the realm of desire and yet fully dedicated to the spiritual. The quintessential renaissance man who will never be matched."
One of our most beloved poets has left us. My sincerest condolences to his family, friends, and fans. Rest in peace #LeonardCohen. ❤ –Céline pic.twitter.com/2ls3DDxVFI
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) November 11, 2016
The fact that Leonard Cohen was not on Twitter speaks volumes about the man's integrity and intelligence
— jann arden (@jannarden) November 11, 2016
I just learned that Leonard Cohen has passed. I've not the words to express the monumental talent of the man. A legend. Our legend.leonard cohen
— Alanis Morissette (@Alanis) November 11, 2016
— Matthew Good (@mattgood) November 11, 2016
Dear Leonard Cohen, thanks for the quiet nights, the reflection, the perspective, the wry smiles and the truth #towerofsong— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) November 11, 2016A brilliant Canadian artist passed today. Leonard Cohen, rest in peace. Hallelujah.
— Kiefer Sutherland (@RealKiefer) November 11, 2016
On top of everything, Leonard Cohen died. Devastated. May we always remember:"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."
— Maria Popova (@brainpicker) November 11, 2016
RIP Leonard Cohen #hero
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) November 11, 2016
RIP Leonard. I give up on 2016. Take this longing from my tongue.
— tanya tagaq (@tagaq) November 11, 2016
Very sad about Leonard Cohen. His songs are with us...
— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) November 11, 2016
Leonard Cohen gone? I didn't think this week could get any worse.
— Molly Ringwald (@MollyRingwald) November 11, 2016RIP Leonard Cohen. Thank you for you dedication to music, & writing one of my favorite songs to sing "Hallelujah". https://t.co/JsTjNmmarC
— Jennifer Hudson (@IAMJHUD) November 11, 2016As of the week could get any worse. Thank you Leonard Cohen, for all the things. Rest In Peace— lily allen (@lilyallen) November 11, 2016
RIP LEONARD COHEN
— Ron Sexsmith (@RonSexsmith) November 11, 2016
Devastating news...My life was forever changed by his music and words
He'll will never be forgotten Love Always RS
"Hamilton" star Lin-Manuel Miranda simply shared some of Cohen's work.
& when he knew for certain
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 11, 2016
Only drowning men could see him
He said all men will be sailors then
Until the sea shall free them
-Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen has died. Another magical voice stilled."Like a bird on the wire
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 11, 2016
Like a drunk in a midnight choir
I have tried, in my way, to be free."
-Leonard Cohen
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) November 11, 2016
“Everything has a crack in it, that's how the light gets in.” - Leonard Cohen
— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) November 11, 2016
#RIPLeonardCohen
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) November 11, 2016
A spirit and soul beyond compare.
Ring the bells that still can ring
— Alice Hoffman (@ahoffmanwriter) November 11, 2016
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
—Leonard Cohen
Comedians Patton Oswalt and Marc Maron took a lighter tone.
Leonard Cohen dying is so goddamned symbolic right now. You just don't let up, do you 2016?
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) November 11, 2016
RIP Leonard Cohen. He got out just in time.
— marc maron (@marcmaron) November 11, 2016