The Cohen Credibility Crisis
Introduction: Back in Jan 2009, after Leonard Cohen had performed shows in Canada and Europe and it was announced that the tour would come to the USA, this site took on the investigation of the rumors that Leonard was, at 74, running, skipping, and otherwise performing in a way belying his age and presumed infirmities.
The news that the Leonard Cohen Tour is coming to the US has precipitated a moral crisis for the 1HeckOfAGuy/Cohencentric management.
While steadfast in my admiration of Mr Cohen, I cannot perpetuate the patently absurd premise that – now think about this – a 74 year old entertainer with a self-admitted history of significant tobacco, alcohol, and illicit pharmaceutical use allegedly maintained a tour schedule through 2008 that began with 22 concerts in 30 days and, then, after a 4 day break for travel, resumed on June 13th in Europe with 7 concerts in 8 days. Oh, and from September 21-November 30, Leonard Cohen supposedly performed 34 concerts in 28 cities across 15 countries.1
Sure he did
Nor are these purported concerts described as easy-going, ritualistic affairs, the purpose of which is no more than to allow fans to pay homage to a once-great entertainer. The newspaper reports portray an entirely different kind of event.
... Leonard Cohen surprised and delighted his audience at the BIC last night (Tuesday) by literally sprinting onto the stage and performing a three hour show. ((Cohen’s three-hour set masterpiece by Jeremy Miles. Daily Echo 12 November 2008))
Like a surreal gangster in double-breasted suit and trademark Fedora, Leonard Cohen skipped on to the stage to a deafening and reverential welcome at the Brighton Centre.2
After a seemingly endless string of encores (with Cohen skipping on and off stage between each) it’s obvious that Leonard Cohen has finally come to enjoy life and the songs that he has written that have touched so many.3
And it’s not just newspapers that are in on the scam. The animation below is from a Nett-TV News Clip, Oslo, Norway 2008.
View more animated gifs at Leonard Cohen Animations.
Leonard Cohen – Closing Time
Venice: August 3, 2009
Video by AintNoCureForLove
WTF
Does that look to you like a 74 year old guy who just gave a 3+ hour show?
I don’t think so.
Miracle Or Potemkin Performance?
Come on, now. Rigorous schedule? Three hour shows? Running? Skipping?
Give me a break
Clearly, Cohen’s management is attempting to hoodwink fans, but in doing so has clumsily concocted a scenario that is so far beyond the believable that – well, it’s unbelievable is what it is.
It is now necessary to ask the awkward question – What really makes Leonard Cohen run? Stay tuned to find out what the 1HeckOfAGuy/Cohencentric investigative staff has uncovered.
Credit Due Department: Photo atop post by J..S. Carenza III.
I am republishing selected posts from my former Leonard Cohen site, Cohencentric, here on AllanShowalter.com (these posts can be found at Leonard Cohen). This entry was originally posted Jan 15, 2009 at 1HeckOfAGuy.com, a predecessor of Cohencentric. The original video and photo, which have disappeared, have been replaced with analogous versions.
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- Counting the UK as one country. [↩]
- Leonard Cohen at the Brighton Centre By Charlotte Taylor. Crawley Observer 22 December 2008 [↩]
- Friday 14/11/08 Leonard Cohen @ The O2 Arena, London by Jon Bye. Gigwise. November 19, 2008 [↩]