It didn't take long for Montrealers to descend upon Leonard Cohen's Montreal home: within just a few hours of the first reports of the legendary singer-songwriter's death, dozens had set up a vigil on his front stoop.
Flickering candles, messages of condolence, flowers and incense covered the steps before the front door of Cohen's house on Valliere Street. The mourners stood gathered on the sidewalk and in the park across the street, taking turns to come forward to the small shrine in his honour to pay their respects.
Louis Rastelli, a onetime neighbour of Cohen's on the quiet street in the Upper Plateau, was surprised when he came out late in the evening to remember the life of the man he once lived beside. "I didn't really expect it, but I guess everybody knows where Leonard Cohen used to live," he said.
Many at the vigil were devastated to learn of Cohen's death, especially amidst a year that has seen more than its share of high-profile deaths among giants of the music industry.
But others were inspired by his lyrical words, with many taking part in a quiet hum of Cohen's hit song "Hallelujah" at the somber vigil.