The passing of Canadian poet, musician and artist Leonard Cohen was greeted with an outpouring of appreciation and celebration from all quarters this morning. Born in Westmount, Quebec in 1934, Cohen's brilliant career as a musician and poet stretched six decades. He was 82.

Cohen's death came just weeks after his final record You Want It Darker was released.  His son Adam Cohen said, "My father passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles with the knowledge that he had completed what he felt was one of his greatest records. He was writing up until his last moments with his unique brand of humour."

Although recent media reports indicated Cohen was at peace with what was to soon come, his brilliant mind was still putting out poetry that was simply on another artistic level, as evidence by the title track of the new recording (below).

In Toronto, words of praise and thanks from the city's many musicians from contemporaries to young artists who continue to find inspiration in his words and his art. 

Gordon Lightfoot, who was part of the Yorkville music scene that included Leonard Cohen, released this statement: "I am deeply saddened by the passing of my contemporary, colleague, fellow Canadian and my dear friend Leonard Cohen. He loved music and his music affected millions of people around the world. He will be greatly missed. I offer my deepest condolences to his family as they grieve this tremendous loss."

Others took to social media:

Here are a few of the many songs of Leonard Cohen's that will never be forgotten and can help us all dance until the end of love. RIP Mr. Cohen.