Leonard Cohen last performed atthe FirstBank Center in Broomfield in 2012. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Leonard Cohen, the baritone-voiced Canadian singer-songwriter who seamlessly blended spirituality and sexuality in hits like “Hallelujah,” ”Suzanne” and “Bird on a Wire,” has died at age 82.
Cohen’s label confirmed a statement on his Facebook page Thursday that he has passed away, and a memorial will take place in Los Angeles at a later date. No further details on his death were given.
Cohen, also renowned as a poet, novelist and aspiring Zen monk, blended folk music with a darker, sexual edge that won him fans around the world and among fellow musicians like Bob Dylan and R.E.M.
He remained wildly popular into his 80s, when his deep voice plunged to gravelly depths. He toured as recently as earlier this year and released a new album just last month.
Cohen’s most notable connection to Colorado was his dealings with Neal Greenberg, the Boulder investment adviser who was charged in 2008 with losing $174 million of his clients’ money to scams without properly informing them. Cohen, who was among the more than 100 clients who were affected,would continue to perform into his late 70s.
Cohen’s came just three days before our last presidential election, at Broomfield’sFirstBank Center in 2012. Here’s what former Reverb editor (and current editor of the ) Ricardo Baca said about the show:
It helped that Cohen’s signature bass still has that iconic growl — and unlike some of the “legendary singer-songwriter” company he keeps (cough, Dylan, cough), you can still understand his lyrics. And those lyrics are poetry. And what good is a poet if you can’t make out his or her words? “I’ve seen the future, brother. It is murder.”
Yes, “The Future” came early in the set, as did some of his best-loved songs — including “Dance Me to the End of Love,” “Everybody Knows,” “Who by Fire” and “The Darkness.” But the most potent outing of the show’s start came with “Bird on a Wire,” which Cohen started dramatically from his knees. He rose to his feet with “If I have been unkind,” and from there he let the tender song unfold in front of him — before closing it out on his knees. Again.
Some of the show’s best moments were expected miles away from the venue. “In My Secret Life” was stark and stunning. “Waiting For the Miracle” was as creepy as it was plaintive. Closing the first set with “Anthem” was an inspired choice, and bringing the band back for a second set with “Tower of Song” was moving. Three days before the U.S. presidential election, his “Democracy” surely meant different things to different people in the audience on Saturday night.
