LEONARD COHEN`s INCREDIBLE LIFE FROM POET TO SINGER

By AI-ChatGPT4o-T.Chr.-Human Synthetic-10 February 2025

Leonard Cohen was born on September 21, 1934, in Westmount, Quebec, Canada, an affluent neighborhood in Montreal. He was raised in a well-off Jewish family of Lithuanian and Polish descent.

His father, Nathan Cohen, was a successful clothing manufacturer, but he died when Leonard was just nine years old, leaving a lasting impact on him. His mother, Masha Klonitsky, was the daughter of a distinguished Talmudic scholar, and her influence played a significant role in shaping Leonard’s deep connection to spirituality and poetry.

Early Life and Education

Cohen attended Westmount High School, where he developed an early love for literature and music. He learned to play the guitar as a teenager and was initially inspired by Spanish folk music. He even formed a country-folk band called The Buckskin Boys. However, poetry was his first true passion, and he admired poets such as Federico García Lorca and W. B. Yeats.

He went on to study English literature at McGill University, where he became deeply involved in poetry and writing. During this period, he won literary awards and published his first poetry collection, "Let Us Compare Mythologies" (1956), which received critical acclaim but little commercial success. He later studied briefly at Columbia University in New York but soon returned to Montreal, realizing that academia wasn’t his calling.

Early Career: Poetry and Novels

Throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s, Cohen devoted himself to writing. He published another poetry collection, "The Spice-Box of Earth" (1961), which helped establish his reputation as a promising young poet in Canada. Seeking solitude and inspiration, Cohen moved to Hydra, Greece, in 1960, where he lived among a community of artists and writers. During his time there, he met Marianne Ihlen, who became his muse and lover, inspiring some of his most famous songs, including "So Long, Marianne."

While on Hydra, Cohen wrote two novels:

• "The Favourite Game" (1963) – a semi-autobiographical novel about a young writer searching for meaning.
• "Beautiful Losers" (1966) – a more experimental and controversial work that blended history, spirituality, and eroticism. Though it was not a commercial success, it gained a cult following.

Transition to Music

By the mid-1960s, Cohen realized that being a poet and novelist wouldn’t provide financial stability, so he turned to music. He moved to the United States in 1966, hoping to break into the folk scene. His big break came when folk singer Judy Collins recorded his song "Suzanne", which became a hit and introduced him to a wider audience.

In 1967, Cohen performed at the Newport Folk Festival, catching the attention of legendary producer John Hammond, who signed him to Columbia Records. Later that year, he released his debut album, "Songs of Leonard Cohen", which included classics like "Suzanne," "So Long, Marianne," and "Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye." Though initially a modest success, the album grew in popularity and established him as a unique voice in folk music.

Before Fame: A Deep Thinker and Outsider

Before becoming a famous singer-songwriter, Cohen was already a well-respected poet, novelist, and intellectual. He lived an unconventional life—traveling, searching for meaning, and immersing himself in different cultures and philosophies. His Jewish heritage, combined with his fascination with Buddhism and Christian imagery, shaped his deeply introspective and spiritual songwriting.

Cohen’s early years were marked by intellectual exploration, creative struggle, and a quest for identity, all of which profoundly influenced his music and lyrics. He didn’t achieve mainstream musical success until his mid-30s, making him a late bloomer in the industry compared to his contemporaries. However, his poetic lyrics, deep voice, and themes of love, loss, and spirituality set him apart, ultimately making him one of the greatest singer-songwriters of all time.

Leonard Cohen’s later time on the Greek island of Hydra

Leonard Cohen’s time on the Greek island of Hydra in the early 1960s is one of the most fascinating chapters in the life of this legendary singer-songwriter and poet. His artistic refuge there, which he bought for just $1,600, would prove to be more than a mere home; it became a sanctuary for his creative soul, deeply influencing his later works and his personal life.

The story begins in 1960, when Cohen, already an established poet in Canada, was seeking a place where he could immerse himself in solitude and creativity. Hydra, an idyllic, car-free island in the Aegean Sea, was the perfect setting for him to escape from the noise of the modern world. The house he purchased had a classic Greek style: whitewashed stone walls, terracotta roof tiles, and stunning views of the blue sea. Its simple, rustic charm provided the tranquility Cohen needed to focus on his writing, far from the distractions of the city.

Cohen was drawn to Hydra not only for its beauty and isolation but also because it was a haven for artists of all kinds. The island was home to painters, writers, musicians, and intellectuals who gathered in its cafes and tavernas to discuss art, literature, and philosophy. It was here that Cohen became part of a vibrant artistic community, where he formed lifelong friendships and drew inspiration for his works.

One of the most significant relationships of Cohen’s life blossomed on Hydra. It was here that he met Marianne Ihlen, a Norwegian woman who had also come to the island seeking a quieter life. Their romance quickly deepened, and Marianne became not only Cohen's lover but also his muse. She inspired some of his most iconic songs, including "So Long, Marianne," which he later admitted was his love letter to her. The song’s haunting lyrics capture the bittersweet nature of their relationship, which would come to an end but remain etched in Cohen’s heart and art forever.

Marianne and Leonard’s relationship was marked by a sense of creative freedom and mutual respect. Cohen’s mornings on Hydra were dedicated to writing; he worked diligently on his poetry and prose, producing significant works like his novel Beautiful Losers, which would later cement his reputation as a literary figure. His afternoons were often spent socializing with local fishermen, fellow artists, and island residents, enjoying leisurely meals and exchanging ideas. These simple pleasures, combined with the isolation of the island, allowed Cohen to find the space he needed to create.

In addition to his writing, Hydra was also the birthplace of Cohen’s musical career. He began composing songs that would later appear on his debut album, Songs of Leonard Cohen. His melodies and lyrics reflected the influences of both the island's serenity and the emotional intensity of his relationship with Marianne. Songs like "Bird on the Wire" and "Suzanne," though not directly about Marianne, were imbued with the themes of longing, love, and spiritual yearning that characterized his work during this period.

HIS MOST FAMOUS SONG HALLELUUYHA (video)

The time Cohen spent on Hydra was more than just a creative retreat; it was a formative period in his life that shaped his identity as an artist. The island’s beauty, its laid-back lifestyle, and its unique community of intellectuals and artists left a lasting impact on his work and worldview. His time there helped him to cultivate his distinctive voice, blending poetry and music in a way that had never been done before.

Cohen’s love for Marianne Ihlen, though it would eventually fade, remained a central part of his artistic legacy. Even after they parted ways, Marianne continued to be a muse for him, inspiring songs like “So Long, Marianne,” a final farewell that beautifully encapsulated their time together on Hydra. Their connection, which transcended their romantic relationship, was one of the defining influences on Cohen’s work, and his songs about her remain some of his most enduring and beloved.

In later years, as Cohen’s fame grew and his career expanded beyond music to include spiritual exploration, his time on Hydra became a mythic part of his legend. The quiet island, with its timeless beauty and artistic energy, had given birth to a part of Leonard Cohen that would never be replicated. His house on Hydra, where he spent so many of his formative years, stood as a testament to the creative spark that had burned brightly there, producing songs, poems, and ideas that would continue to resonate with audiences for generations.

Today, Leonard Cohen’s time on Hydra remains a key part of his legacy. His life on the island not only birthed some of his greatest works but also symbolized the kind of artist he was—someone who sought meaning in the quiet, in the mundane, and in the beauty of the world around him. Through the love, the heartbreak, the writing, and the music, Cohen’s time on Hydra was a reminder of how art can be born from solitude, relationships, and the simple rhythms of daily life.

Mariannes background and why she left him

Marianne Ihlen, the Norwegian woman who would become Leonard Cohen’s muse, had a fascinating life before and after her time with him. Born in Norway in 1935, she was raised in a country known for its rich cultural history and its stunning natural landscapes. Marianne came from a modest, working-class background and was always drawn to the arts. She had a beauty that captured Cohen’s attention, but it was her independent spirit and her intellectual curiosity that truly sparked their deep connection.

Marianne moved to the Greek island of Hydra in the late 1950s, drawn by its reputation as a haven for artists and intellectuals. There, she lived a bohemian lifestyle, embracing the freedom of the island and its tight-knit artistic community. It was during this time that she met Leonard Cohen in 1960. At the time, Cohen was already an established poet, and Marianne, with her striking beauty and free-spirited nature, quickly became both his lover and his muse.

Their relationship was intense and transformative for both of them. Marianne was more than just a romantic partner for Cohen; she was a source of inspiration and a grounding force in his life. Their love was one of great passion but also one of deep connection, both intellectual and emotional. Cohen wrote several songs about her, including the iconic “So Long, Marianne,” a song that captures the bittersweet nature of their relationship.

However, as time went on, their relationship began to change. There were several reasons for their eventual separation. First and foremost, Marianne and Leonard had different emotional and life needs. While Cohen was deeply focused on his creative work and often withdrawn, Marianne sought a more stable and nurturing connection. She was also living in a difficult financial and personal situation, and it became clear that she needed a different kind of support than Cohen could provide at the time.

In addition, Cohen's life as an artist, with its constant travel and the demands of his growing career, placed a strain on their relationship. As Cohen’s fame increased, he became more absorbed in his music, poetry, and public life, and his emotional and physical distance grew. Marianne, for her part, was also going through her own personal challenges, and the relationship became increasingly difficult to sustain.

Eventually, the couple parted ways, though not without deep emotional resonance. The end of their romantic relationship was marked by the poignant farewell of the song "So Long, Marianne." Cohen later said that he never truly got over Marianne, and her memory stayed with him throughout his life. Their parting was not bitter; instead, it was filled with mutual respect, understanding, and love. Cohen continued to regard Marianne with deep affection, and their bond, though no longer romantic, remained a profound part of his life.

Marianne went on to live her life after the breakup, eventually settling in Norway. She married several times, had children, and lived a quiet life away from the spotlight. She and Cohen remained friends, and in their later years, they reconnected, especially when Cohen went to visit her in the final years of her life. In fact, when Cohen received the news that Marianne was dying of leukemia in 2016, he wrote her a letter that was both a final farewell and an expression of deep love and gratitude. In the letter, Cohen wrote, “I’m so close behind you that if you stretch out your hand, I think you can reach mine.”

Marianne Ihlen passed away in July 2016, just a few months before Cohen. Their love story, marked by creativity, distance, and eventual reconciliation, is one of the most poignant in Cohen’s life and continues to resonate with people around the world through his music and poetry.

Before her connection with Leonard Cohen brought her into the spotlight, Marianne led a fairly ordinary but colorful life. She grew up in Norway during a time of great change, and although she came from a humble background, she was always drawn to the arts and creative expression.

As a young woman, Marianne was known for her beauty, charm, and independent spirit. She lived a bohemian lifestyle and had a keen interest in literature and music. Her journey toward becoming the muse for one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of the 20th century began in the late 1950s, when she moved to the Greek island of Hydra in search of freedom, adventure, and a new way of life.

Hydra, at the time, was a gathering place for artists, writers, and intellectuals, many of whom were seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life. Marianne was captivated by the island’s natural beauty, its vibrant artistic community, and its peaceful, car-free lifestyle. She quickly became part of the island's social fabric, known for her warm, open personality and her passion for life. Her life on Hydra was an unconventional one, marked by a sense of independence and artistic expression.

It was during this time on Hydra that she met Leonard Cohen in 1960. The two were immediately drawn to each other, and their relationship would deeply influence both their lives. While Cohen had already established himself as a poet, Marianne's presence in his life helped him tap into a deeper emotional and creative wellspring, inspiring some of his most iconic songs.

Before becoming famous as the muse for Cohen's music, Marianne lived a relatively simple and somewhat difficult life. She was not wealthy, and she had her own personal struggles, including a previous marriage and the challenges of being a single mother. Despite the hardships she faced, Marianne remained resilient and deeply committed to her own artistic and emotional growth.

Her time with Cohen was transformative, and although they eventually parted ways, Marianne continued to live a quiet life in Norway. After the breakup, she married again and had children, but her connection to Cohen, and her time on Hydra, remained an important part of her personal and artistic history. It wasn’t until years later, when Cohen’s songs about her became internationally renowned, that she gained wider recognition.

Marianne Ihlen’s background before fame was marked by a pursuit of freedom and self-expression, qualities that defined her both as a person and as a muse.

Marianne Ihlen's son, Axel Joachim Jensen.

Axel Joachim Jensen, the son of Marianne Ihlen and her former partner, Axel Buchardt Jensen, has had a difficult and tumultuous life, marked by mental illness and institutionalization. Born into a unique and artistic environment, Axel’s early years were shaped by the complexities of his parents' relationships and the broader bohemian lifestyle that they embraced.

Axel was born in 1960 in Norway, just as his mother was embarking on a transformative relationship with Leonard Cohen. While Marianne and Cohen’s relationship was intensely romantic and creative, it was not without its difficulties, and their eventual separation in the 1960s had a profound impact on their son. Despite this, Axel remained close to Cohen, who took on a fatherly role in his life, raising him for the first two decades. Cohen, who had no biological children at the time, played a significant role in Axel’s upbringing, even after he and Marianne went their separate ways. This unique arrangement highlighted Cohen's deep affection for Marianne and his commitment to their shared life, which extended to caring for Axel as well.

In his adolescence, Axel’s life took a darker turn. When he was 15, his biological father, Axel Buchardt Jensen, introduced him to LSD. This experience reportedly had a lasting and detrimental impact on Axel's mental health, and it is often considered a contributing factor to his struggles with mental illness. His mental health challenges became more apparent as he grew older, and by the time he was 19, he began to spend significant periods of time in psychiatric institutions.

Throughout his adult life, Axel's mental health continued to deteriorate, and he has been in and out of mental health facilities, primarily in Norway. Despite these challenges, Axel has lived in a small house within a relatively open psychiatric facility near Oslo. This environment offers him a degree of independence while still providing the care and support he requires. Axel’s struggle with mental illness has included treatments with anti-psychotic drugs, which have been part of his ongoing management.

Axel’s life and the challenges he has faced were brought to light in the 2021 documentary Little Axel, directed by Fabien Greenberg and Bård Kjøge Rønning. The film offers an intimate and poignant look at Axel’s life, featuring interviews with him and people who knew both Axel and his mother. Through the documentary, audiences gain insight into Axel’s emotional world and his reflections on growing up in the shadow of his mother’s complicated relationship with Leonard Cohen. It also highlights the deep personal struggles that Axel has faced, including the psychological and emotional impacts of his early experiences, the estrangement from his father, and his long-term battle with mental illness.

Despite the hardships Axel has faced, Little Axel paints a picture of a person who, while struggling with mental illness, also holds a profound connection to his mother and the artistic world that surrounded him during his youth. His story is one of complexity and contrasts—the son of a muse and an artist, yet burdened by mental health issues that have shaped his life in ways that he continues to grapple with. The documentary sheds light on the emotional costs of growing up in such an extraordinary and unconventional environment, offering a candid portrait of a man whose life has been marked by both creative legacies and personal pain.

Axel Buchardt Jensen, the father of Axel Joachim Jensen.

He had a somewhat complex and less publicized life compared to his son and Marianne Ihlen. He was a Norwegian man who, like his partner Marianne, was part of the artistic and intellectual circles of the time. However, his life and background are not as widely known, especially in comparison to the more famous figures in his family.

Axel Buchardt Jensen was a businessman and, at one point, involved in the world of publishing, which aligns with the intellectual and somewhat bohemian atmosphere that surrounded his relationship with Marianne. His connection to Marianne is often viewed as one of the less prominent relationships in her life, overshadowed by her more famous and deeply emotional bond with Leonard Cohen.

Axel's life took a pivotal turn in the 1960s when he introduced his son, Axel Joachim Jensen, to LSD at the age of 15. This act had significant and lasting consequences for his son, contributing to Axel Joachim's eventual struggles with mental illness. The decision to give his son LSD has been seen as a critical and controversial moment in Axel Buchardt Jensen's life, as it likely played a role in shaping the trajectory of his son's mental health.

Axel's relationship with his son was complicated, especially after his separation from Marianne. As a father, he was not as present in Axel Joachim's life as Leonard Cohen, who took on a more active parental role after the split. While Marianne and Leonard Cohen provided a more stable and nurturing environment for young Axel, his biological father seemed to have a more distant and less involved role.

In his later years, Axel Buchardt Jensen's life became more private, and there are few public records or details about his activities after his son's early adulthood. His personal story is often overshadowed by the more dramatic elements of his family’s history, especially the relationship between his ex-partner Marianne and Leonard Cohen, and the struggles faced by his son Axel Joachim.

Overall, Axel Buchardt Jensen’s life remains somewhat enigmatic. His legacy is primarily linked to his son’s mental health struggles and his role in introducing him to drugs, which had a profound impact on Axel Joachim Jensen’s later years.

Leonard Cohen: A Poet of Longing, Love, and Light

Leonard Cohen’s life was a pilgrimage through poetry, song, and silence—a journey shaped by longing, love, and an unwavering search for the divine in the mundane. He was not just a singer or a poet; he was a messenger, carrying the weight of humanity’s sorrow and ecstasy in his gravelly voice, offering us hymns for both the lost and the found.

Born into comfort but drawn to the raw edges of life, Cohen sought not material wealth but the richness of experience. From the rain-soaked streets of Montreal to the sun-drenched solitude of Hydra, from the smoky cafes of New York’s folk scene to the stillness of a Zen monastery on Mount Baldy, he moved between worlds, always listening, always learning.

His words were prayers, whispered and weary, filled with a sacred resignation. He sang not to convince but to confess, peeling back the layers of human existence with a careful, knowing hand. His voice—impossibly deep, aged before its time—did not seduce but rather invited, beckoning us into the quiet corners of our own longing.

Cohen understood suffering, but he never wallowed in it. He wrote of heartbreak as one who had made peace with it, of loneliness as one who had befriended it. He recognized the cracks in all things—not as flaws, but as the very places where light enters.

Through his music, he gave sorrow a melody, longing a language, and love a lament. Suzanne led us down to her place by the river, Hallelujah called us to kneel in the cathedral of our own failings, Bird on the Wire reminded us of our fragile, desperate flight toward freedom. His songs were gospel for the broken, anthems for the seekers, lullabies for the weary.

Even as his body aged, his mind sharpened. He danced with mortality, treating it not as an enemy but as an old acquaintance. In his final album, You Want It Darker, he whispered a farewell both defiant and surrendered: Hineni, hineni—I'm ready, my Lord.

Leonard Cohen did not seek immortality, yet he found it. Not in fame, nor in fortune, but in the lines he left behind—scribbled in notebooks, etched into melody, carved into the hearts of those who listened. He understood that art does not answer life’s questions, but rather helps us live with them. And in that, he gave us something timeless.

He walked among us, but he always belonged to the spaces in between—the sacred and the profane, the darkness and the light, the silence and the song. And though he has left, his voice remains, humming through the corridors of time, reminding us: "There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in."

Leonard Cohen passed away on November 7, 2016, at the age of 82. He died at his home in Los Angeles after suffering from leukemia and complications from a fall. His death was announced a few days later, on November 10, 2016, by his family and record label.

Even though he is no longer physically with us, his music, poetry, and profound wisdom continue to inspire and comfort people worldwide. His final album, You Want It Darker, released just weeks before his passing, was a poignant farewell, filled with themes of acceptance, faith, and mortality.

The End