Canadian singer songwriter Leonard Cohen has died at the age of 82.
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The news of his death was posted on his Facebook page at 12.30pm AEDT.
"It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away," the statement read.
"We have lost one of music's most revered and prolific visionaries.
"A memorial will take place in Los Angeles at a later date. The family requests privacy during their time of grief."
Cohen's last album You Want It Darker was released only last month, 59 years since the release of his debut album Songs of Leonard Cohen.
He was possibly best known for his song Hallelujah.
Emerging in the `60s, Cohen's poetic style and dark themes soon made him stand out, placing him among the likes of Bob Dylan in terms of the following he attracted and influence on a generation of fans who grew up listening to him.
In the New Yorker last month, David Remnick quoted Cohen in one of his final interviews, saying "I've finished up a few things. I don't know how many other things I'll be able to get to" before adding "I am ready to die. I hope it's not too uncomfortable. That's about it for me."
A singer, songwriter, poet and novelist, Leonard Cohen explored religion, sex, politics and the human condition among the many themes in his career; releasing 15 studio albums and was inducted into both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canadian Songwriters Hal of Fame.
Singer and songwriter K.D. Lange was among those posting on social media after hearing about Cohen's death. "Thankyou Leonard Cohen. Swift rebirth my friend," wrote Lang.
Neil Croker, who runs the Palais Theatre in St Kilda where Cohen performed in December, 2013, told Fairfax Media the performance that night was "one of the greatest performances" he'd ever seen in the venue.
"It really was one of the best performances I've ever seen ... and it reflected a combination of a professional man surrounded by a professional team," Mr Croker said.
"At the end of the day it was memorable because of the aura around him ... such that when he walked on stage there was an instant connection and respect between him and the audeince."
Mr Croker spoke briefly with the singer that same night and said he was "a very humble, very open man and you felt a connection with him as soon as you looked him in the eye" and the audience hung on every word he sang. "That rarely happens ... its one of the reasons he was so special."