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Leonard Cohen dies aged 82

11 November 2016, 05:44 | Written by Laurence Day

Legendary Canadian artist Leonard Cohen has passed away aged 82, a spokesperson has confirmed.

Cohen was born in Quebec in 1934, and for close to half a century has been one of the most influential musicians in the world.

"It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away," reads a statement. "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 final record, You Want It Darker, was released late last month.

Earlier this year Cohen told The New Yorker about his unfinished material. "I am a tidy kind of guy," he told the paper. "I like to tie up the strings if I can. If I can’t, that’s okay. But my natural thrust is to finish things that I’ve begun."

"I don’t think I’ll be able to finish those songs," he continued in the article. "Maybe, who knows? And maybe I’ll get a second wind, I don’t know. But I don’t dare attach myself to a spiritual strategy. I don’t dare do that. I’ve got some work to do. Take care of business. I am ready to die. I hope it’s not too uncomfortable. That’s about it for me.”

Our thoughts are with Cohen's friends and family at this time.

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