How has he been recognized?

Over the last five decades, Leonard Cohen has won countless awards, not only here in Canada but all over the world, especially in Israel and Europe. Some big ones include:

-          1968 Governor General's Award (English language poetry or drama) for Selected Poems 1956–1968

-          1991 Officer of the Order of Canada-

-          1991 Induction into the Juno/Canadian Music Hall of Fame

-          1993 Governor General's Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement

-          1994 Juno Award for Songwriter of the Year

-          1996 Ordained a Rinzai Buddhist monk

-          2003 Companion of the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honour

-          2007 Grammy for Album of the Year

-          2008 Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

-          2010 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

-          2010 Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

He was described as being among "the highest and most influential echelon of songwriters."