Special Guests

[buttwheat]

Is there any speculation on whether or not Leonard will have some famous musicians/friends join him on stage at any time? When Leonard is playing Toronto it coincides with REM playing in town. I know that Leonard is a huge influence on Michael Stipe and I am just wondering if anyone thinks Leonard will invite others to join him on stage for a song?

[tomsakic]

Hah. Leonard always was a solo player. Look at perfection of first shows...

[richardrj]

I am still hoping (but only half-expecting) that Dylan might join Cohen onstage at one of the next few concerts. That would be a truly epochal moment.

Let's look at their respective schedules:

Dylan
20/5 - Moncton
21/5 - Halifax
23/5 - St Johns
24/5 - St Johns

Cohen
20/5 - Glace Bay
21/5 - Glace Bay
23/5 - Moncton
25/5 - St Johns
26/5 - St Johns
27/5 - St Johns

Dylan is off to Iceland on the 26th, so it looks like the possibilities are for Cohen to turn up at Dylan's gig on the 24th, or for Dylan to turn up at Cohen's gig on the 25th. Or maybe they'll just go for a quiet beer together on the 22nd and reminisce.

Whatever happens, it's a good time to be living in that part of Canada.

[richardrj]

I know that Leonard is a huge influence on Michael Stipe

Really? I have never heard Stipe say anything to that effect. Sure, REM covered "First We Take Manhattan" on I'm Your Fan, but apart from that there is nothing to suggest that the influence you suggest actually exists.

[buttwheat]

I know that Leonard is a huge influence on Michael Stipe

Really? I have never heard Stipe say anything to that effect. Sure, REM covered "First We Take Manhattan" on I'm Your Fan, but apart from that there is nothing to suggest that the influence you suggest actually exists.

Check out the song 'Hope' on REM's 'UP' CD and let me know if it sounds familiar.

[John K.]

Really? I have never heard Stipe say anything to that effect. Sure, REM covered "First We Take Manhattan" on I'm Your Fan, but apart from that there is nothing to suggest that the influence you suggest actually exists.

The entire band cited Leonard Cohen as a major influence in their recording of "Automatic For The People", and, in an interview I read at the time, Peter Buck mentioned buying Leonard's albums on CD and listening to them regularly before the band began writing the songs for that album.