Singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen dies at age 82

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Leonard Cohen, the gravelly-voiced Canadian singer-songwriter of Hallelujah, Suzanne and Bird on a Wire, has died at age 82.

Cohens management said in a statement 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, touring as recently as earlier this year and releasing a new album just last month.

His Hallelujah became a cult hit when it was covered by musician Jeff Buckley in 1994, and has become a modern standard since.