1. Birth: Leonard Cohen was born on September 21, 1934, in Westmount, Quebec, Canada, to a well-to-do Jewish family.
2. Parents: His father, Nathan Cohen, was a clothing store owner, and his mother, Marsha Masur Cohen, was a homemaker.
3. Siblings: Cohen had two younger sisters, Estelle and Anita.
4. Education: He attended Westmount High School and showed early talent in writing and music.
Growing Up in Westmount:
1. Affluent Upbringing: Cohen grew up in a comfortable and privileged household in Westmount, a wealthy suburb of Montreal.
2. Jewish Heritage: His family observed Jewish traditions, and Cohen had a strong connection to his Jewish identity throughout his life.
3. Early Influences: He developed a love for literature, music, and poetry at a young age.
4. Writing and Music: Cohen began writing poetry and short stories as a child and also showed an interest in music, learning to play the guitar.
University Years and Literary Success:
1. McGill University: Cohen enrolled at McGill University in Montreal, where he studied English literature and philosophy.
2. Literary Journal: He published his first collection of poetry, "Let Us Compare Mythologies," in 1956, while still a student at McGill.
3. Early Recognition: Cohen's poetry gained recognition and critical acclaim, establishing him as a promising young writer.
4. Travel and Inspiration: After graduating, Cohen traveled to Europe, the Middle East, and the United States, which provided inspiration for his writing and music.
Emergence as a Singer-Songwriter:
1. Folk Music: Cohen's interest in music deepened, and he began performing folk music in small venues and coffee shops.
2. Debut Album: In 1967, he released his debut album, "Songs of Leonard Cohen," which featured the iconic songs "Suzanne" and "Hallelujah."
3. Artistic Growth: Cohen's subsequent albums, such as "Songs from a Room" (1969) and "Songs of Love and Hate" (1971), further solidified his status as a gifted songwriter and musician.
Personal Life and Relationships:
1. Marianne Ihlen: Cohen had a significant relationship with Norwegian artist Marianne Ihlen, who inspired many of his love songs.
2. Travel and Spirituality: He undertook spiritual journeys, including a stay at the Mount Baldy Zen Center in California, which influenced his later work.
3. Later Relationships: Cohen had relationships with several other women throughout his life and fathered two children, Lorca and Adam.
4. Death: Leonard Cohen passed away on November 7, 2016, at the age of 82, in Los Angeles, California.