He was an unlikely and reluctant pop star, if in fact he ever was one. In the 1960s, he lived in a house on the Greek island of Hydra, where he wrote a pair of novels. He was 33 when his first record was released in 1967. In the early 1970s, his record company concocted an advertising campaign where they called him “the master of erotic despair.” Around 1994, he abandoned his music career and moved to Mt. Baldy monastery, where he was ordained a Buddhist monk. His best-known song, a majestic and meditative ballad which has been endlessly covered, is called “Hallelujah”.  Famous & Gravy is created and co-hosted by Amit Kapoor and Michael Osborne. This episode was produced by Jacob Weiss. Sign up for our newsletter at famousandgravy.com for news and updates on the show. Also, enjoy our mobile quiz game at deadoraliveapp.com If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Episode 45 "Rebel Rebel" (David Bowie) and Episode 29 “Zen Comedian” (Garry Shandling). Transcript of this episode New York Times Obituary for Leonard Cohen Famous & Gravy official website Famous & Gravy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn Sound Judgment podcast episode “How to Make Serious Topics Fun” Leonard Cohen’s 75th birthday concert in Barcelona Kate McKinnon sings “Hallelujah” on SNL after Leonard Cohen’s death Susan Cain article on Leonard Cohen’s music Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast on Hallelujah Rock and Roll Archaeology podcast hosted by Christian Swain Dead or Alive Quiz Game Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices