Leonard Cohen

Over Leonard Cohen's long and storied career he has been known as a well respected poet, novelist, musician and songwriter--amongst other things. During his formative years, he mainly wrote poetry and a few well-received novels, then in the late 1960s, with the urging on of social activist and singer/songwriter Judy Collins, Cohen made a transition to folk music. His first album, Songs of Leonard Cohen, was a bit too dark for mainstream audiences, even though it was widely acclaimed by folk music buffs. Over his five-decade career as a recording artist, he grew as a musician and demonstrated that old age is no reason to turn your back on art.