Days after the news of Montreal poet and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen's death broke, fans are still converging on his home to pay their respects as the city begins plans to memorialize the icon.

Many brought notes and lit candles for one of the city's most famous artists.

Journal de Montreal columnist Richard Martineau said Cohen transcended Quebec's language divisions.

"We always tend to forget Leonard Cohen because he's an English-speaking artist," he said. "He's one of ours. I mean, we should sing Leonard Cohen on St. Jean Baptiste Day, on every June 24. He's a great Montrealer, a great Quebecer."

Cohen had become a part of Montreal's fabric, with many mourners recounting seeing him walking in the city or stopping at some of his usual haunts.

On Sunday, one of Canada's oldest folk music coffee houses, the Yellow Door, celebreates its fiftieth anniversary. Attendees used the occassion to pay tribute to Cohen through song.

"Girls in my high school used to walk around clutching Leonard Cohen poetry books," said Mark Nuremberg. "So when he became a musician, I already knew who Leonard Cohen was. He was famous."

Simon Rosson, co-owner of Bagel Etc, the restaurant across the street from Cohen's home, remembered him as a gentle soul who would shake the hand of everyone who came to speak to him.

"He was usually an early riser, so I would open up the restaurant and he would always be my first customer," he said. "We'd sit and we'd talk so I got to know him a little bit... He always just seemed like such a nice man."

Many fans said they hope the city finds an appropriate way to honour Cohen. Suggestions ranged from renaming the park across the street from his house to renaming the Quartier des Spectacles in his honour. Still others called on the city to invest in arts and culture as a way to memorialize Cohen.

An official book of condolences has been set up at the Grande Bibliotheque and the public has been invited to sign it. The book is available from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. all weekend and will be sent to Cohen's family by the government of Quebec and city of Montreal. There is also an online register that will accept names until Monday morning.

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre took to Twitter to announce a memorial concert will take place in the next few weeks.

 

Cohen died on Monday in Los Angeles at age 82, and was buried on Thursday in Montreal following a traditional Jewish service.

 

Rabbi Adam Scheier of Congregation Shaar Hashomayim said Cohen was buried beside his parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

“It is with profound sorrow we report that legendary poet, songwriter and artist, Leonard Cohen has passed away,” reads a message posted on his official Facebook page.

 

“We have lost one of music’s most revered and prolific visionaries.”

Cohen's sonorous, tobacco-painted baritone was once described as "the musical equivalent of rotgut whisky" and his lyrics and texts relentlessly studied spirituality, sex, power and love.

Cohen released a new album, "You Want It Darker," just weeks ago on his birthday, produced in part by his son Adam.

Cohen was still performing to sellout crowds and drawing new generations of fans at an age when most people would have settled back in their rocking chairs to reflect on their life's accomplishments.

Instead, Cohen reflected on his life by writing it down in poetry, songs that he delivered to an eager audience.

Cohen's manager Robert Kory issued a statement saying, “Unmatched in his creativity, insight, and crippling candor, Leonard Cohen was a true visionary whose voice will be sorely missed. I was blessed to call him a friend, and for me to serve that bold artistic spirit first hand, was a privilege and great gift. He leaves behind a legacy of work that will bring insight, inspiration, and healing for generations to come.”

World traveller had deep roots in Montreal

Cohen, who was known for wearing black suits and fedoras, was born on Sept. 21, 1934, in Westmount to a high-end tailor and a rabbi's daughter.

He studied at McGill University and considered a legal career, attending McGill law school for a year after completing his bachelor's degree.

He published his first work of poetry in 1956 and relocated to the Greek island of Hydra in the 1960s where he focused on his writing and his muse, Norwegian model Marianne Ihmen. He recently wrote her a letter on her deathbed, decades after they had parted, telling her he would not be far behind, and that he would “see you down the road.”

A big break came in 1966 when Judy Collins recorded his standard "Suzanne," and he came out with his first album "Songs of Leonard Cohen" the same year.

That was followed up with "Songs from a Room" in 1969, which included the popular "Bird on the Wire."

He had a fairly steady output although his popularity dipped in the 1970s as disco, not doom, was deemed to be the treat for consumers' ears, but Cohen began a comeback in 1984 with "Various Positions," which included "Hallelujah."

Ironically, "Hallelujah," was on the only Cohen album ever rejected by his record company and was little noticed when it did come out on an independent label.

It has since become a modern standard after hundreds of cover versions, high-profile performances, and use in TV and movie soundtracks.

Cohen turned to alcohol, drinking four bottles of wine a day to medicate his stage fright, but later sought sanctuary in a Buddhist retreat and became an ordained Buddhist monk. He stayed in a Zen Buddhist monastery near Los Angeles for five years and was often seen popping in to the Plateau, strolling through the city.

Cohen's compositions endlessly entranced audiences, who usually treated the reclusive performer with awe. However, his poetic songs were far from being toe-tappers, with some clocking in at seven minutes long and dealing more in substance than sass.

His songs prompted him to be dubbed the "godfather of gloom," the "poet laureate of pessimism," the "grocer of despair" and the "prince of bummers." One reviewer in the 1970s described his songs as "music to slit your wrists to."

But he was hailed for his intelligence, humility, curiosity and generosity, donating unpublished poems, poems-in-progress, drawings and archival material to a fan website where it could be enjoyed by followers.

He went on to become a member of both the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the American Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is a Companion to the Order of Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented on the poet's death.

In a statement, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard hailed Cohen as a "major artist and an important ambassador of our culture."

"Leonard Cohen's songs and poetry had a profound impact on several generations and will continue to have an impact long after his passing," said Couillard. "It is so important that we celebrate the work of this master poet and honor his accomplished career."

Sony Music Canada also commented.

"Leonard Cohen was an unparalleled artist whose stunning body of original work has been embraced by generations of fans and artists alike," read a statement on Sony music's website. "We are proud and feel extremely privileged to have celebrated his artistry over a career spanning six decades."

Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre tweeted that flags at city hall will be flown at half-mast in his honour.

Cohen had two children, son Adam, born in 1972 and daughter Lorca, born in 1974, with Suzanne Elrod.

With a report from The Canadian Press and CTV's Genevieve Beauchemin.