Leonard Norman Cohen, CC (born September 21, 1934 in Westmount, Quebec) is a Canadian poet, novelist, and singer-songwriter. Cohen published his first book of poetry in Montreal in 1956 and his first novel in 1963.
Cohen's early songs are based in folk music melodies and instrumentation. In the 1970s, he was more influenced by popular music and cabaret music. Since the 1980s he has typically sung in a bass register, with accompaniment from electronic synthesizers and female backing vocals.
His work often explores the themes of religion, isolation, sexuality, and complex interpersonal relationships.
Cohen's songs and poetry have influenced many other singer-songwriters, and more than a thousand renditions of his work have been recorded. He has been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame and he is a Companion of the Order of Canada, the nation's highest civilian honour
