Record number of times for seeing Leonard live?

John Etherington · Post by **John Etherington** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:11 pm

I've never asked this question before, but how many times have the long-term Leonard devotess here, seen him live? I sometimes wonder if my own sixteen times is some kind of small record (every London show minus second Hammersmith 1985, and second Albert Hall 1993, plus Isle of Wight). I've seen some other artists more (Dylan over thirty times). Did anyone ever try to follow a Leonard tour. I'm curious.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 11:20 pm

I sometimes wonder if my own sixteen times is some kind of small record (every London show minus second Hammersmith 1985, and second Albert Hall 1993, plus Isle of Wight).

Hi John ~ Let me just say that I'll be shocked if it's not.

~ Lizzy

tomsakic · Post by **tomsakic** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:36 am

Jesus.
Is it possible?
My count is of course 0.

Jim Devlin followed 1993 tour I think, or at least part of some tours. I can't swear, but I think I heard so, maybe it was 1988 tour. He wrote & compiled Is This What You Wanted? A Guide to the tours and concerts of Leonard Cohen, 1970-1993. (All the data, plus all updates since the book's release, are on http://www.leonardcohenlive.com.)

John Etherington · Post by **John Etherington** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:36 pm

Hi Tom,
I don't recall Jim following the 1988 tour, even though I'm pretty certain he saw it. I believe that Jim first saw Leonard in the second half of the Seventies. I know that he was at both of the 1993 Albert Hall concerts, because he was sitting next to me at the first one, and I got him a second row seat for the second one! Since then, Jim has become a good friend of mine. I gave him a little help with his books, and you'll see that I get a credit in them. Best wishes, John E

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:23 pm

You beat me John. I have just found a ticket stub from one of the Cohen Albert Hall concerts I went to. It cost me £2.50 and a ticket stub from seeing David Bowie at a Students Union event cost me 50p. Those were the days

John Etherington · Post by **John Etherington** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:49 pm

Hi Paula,
I've got those stubs somewhere, too. For the 1972 concert, I lay in a sleeping bag outside of the Albert Hall all night (though I think there were only about six of us there!). I saw Bowie at the Imperial College, which would have been about 50p. It was the first time he played "Five Years".
All good wishes, John E

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 5:53 pm

Snap John the Imperial College. There was only about 50 of us there you must have been one of them!!! We carried him around the hall on our shoulders if I remember rightly.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:47 pm

Speaking of Leonard and seeing him Live, Paula. Did anything ever transpire with Simon? Haven't heard a word

. Did he not get an extra ticket, or did he opt to share with an already-existing friend [perish the thought ~ how could he

!?!]? I SOOoooo much wanted you to be able to go!!! I figured we'd have at least heard from YOU by now, if it was in the affirmative

!

Fifty in attendance at a concert of Bowie? Who could ask for more

??

Love,
Lizzie

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:07 pm

No Lizzie Simon did PM me a few days ago. He did manage to get another ticket but he has someone who did want to go in the end. I still live in hope.

It might have been more than 50 my memories are fading but it was just a school type hall with Bowie on the stage and I was right at the front but then so was everyone else it just was not packed. We were all clutching plastic glasses with beer in them if I remember correctly. John has a much better memory I couldn't even remember the name of the venue until John mentioned it but I do have the ticket stub to prove it!!!! I think Manfred Manns Earth Band were on the following week and the tickets for that were more expensive.

lizzytysh · Post by **lizzytysh** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 8:33 pm

I'm so sorry, Paula

. Darn it. We can still pray for a tour and, if there is one, England will be a given! Likely, too, will London. A lot closer for you than anything I'll be, for sure. Now, here's hoping and praying... depending on your inclination. Darn. I'm so sorry.

I'd take Bowie any day over Manfred Mann. At least you've seen him Live. Still...

Love,
Lizzie

Diane · Post by **Diane** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 3:10 am

John, you are the first person I have come across who was at Hammersmith 1985. That was the one and only time I saw him. I don't recall which of the two nights I attended, but I have a feeling it was the first. I remember very little of the concert, but I still clearly recall the amazing charisma of the man dressed in black. Sixteen times, wow. Looks like you have the record. Hope you get to make it at least one more. Hope Paula does. Hope we all do. Sigh.

Diane

tomsakic · Post by **tomsakic** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 1:08 pm

Hi John E, I met Jim (finally!) in Berlin. Great fellow, I really do hope we will some day do some projects we mentioned. He had manuscripts of fully updated and still growing setlists book, I hope he will publish it eventually. Say hello if you see him in the actuality;-)

[I actually have to ask him what shows he attended, although he described them in his book, in the other book, Every Style of Passion. I think he gives setlist for 1976 shows with comments, so he was there at least.)

I still wonder why nobody wants to release those shows ... with real liner notes, i.e. by Jim (just saw some parts of liner notes for the reissues on some site, it seems pretty superficial...) ... I heard Hammersmith 85 from CDR, it was good show it seems.

Diane · Post by **Diane** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:08 pm

Yes, I have a copy of the show, care of someone on here, too Tom, and although it didn't "take me back", it is great to have a copy of the show I attended (well it could be the other of the two nights, but anyway). It is the one where a woman keeps shouting, "Lady Midnight!", and Leonard tells her he hasn't rehearsed that one, but she keeps on and on and on. Eventually, he tells her to come to him at the end of the concert and he will whisper it to her. He even tells her he will come to her house and sing it to her. I'm afraid that if we do get to see Leonard, I will be the one who keeps shouting out, "I'm Your Man".

Diane

Paula · Post by **Paula** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:53 pm

Diane I was at the Hammersmith show. One of the worse ones I went to. Not the content but I was right at the back and could not see or hear anything properly. I also saw him at the New Victoria and the RAH. The RAH was the superior venue. One of the problems with the Hammersmith show for me was Leonard always does loads of encores and I could not leave while he was still on

it caused me a lot of problems getting home!

Diane · Post by **Diane** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 2:57 pm

No kidding, Paula, you were there. How excellent. I managed to get home, on a cloud, perhaps. Was it you who kept shouting out "Lady Midnight"?