CONCERT REPORTS: Las Vegas, Nevada, December 10 & 11, 2010

[brightnow]

There are many things you'll never know, scubasam.


~ Lizzy

That's just wishful thinking.

[lizzytysh]

Meanwhile, the concerts themselves were deeply memorable and imprinted at an emotional level that created awe at all I was hearing and seeing.

I'm so happy I was able to be there both nights .


~ Lizzy

[scubasam]

There aree many things you'll never know, scubasam.


~ Lizzy

Care to explain this comment Lizzy? From where I sit, it just seems unnecessarily nasty and frankly doesn't make much sense given the context of my post. Why not say what is on your mind?

[Vicomte]

Leonard has astutely avoided 'meeting with' fans throughout the course of this three-year World Tour... EITHER BEFORE or AFTER his performances.


~ Lizzy

Really? So where did the proudly posted photos of forum people posing with him come from, then?
The Dortmund thread has Tinderella with him BEFORE a concert, for example.

Correct, I have no idea where this avoidance issue has come from.

And I guess that is why when Vicomtesse, my Niece and myself met Leonard and Roscoe opposite our hotel (same as his and the rest of the band) on the night before the concert on a packed canal bank (hardly a place to avoid people!), he spent time talking to us and even said that taking photos of them both with us was of no problem whatsoever.

And at breakfast the morning after the concert, when Vicomtesse spoke with him, she jokingly said to Leonard "I am not sure if you remember me but I am one of the ladies who accosted you the other night over the road" Leonard replied with a huge grin "Yes I do and you can accost me any time you wish" There were a few of us who had left breakfast and were waiting in the foyer who laughed at the little banter going on. When Vicomtesse asked if he would kindly sign a large poster of himself that she had bought on concert night, he took time to sign it (it was posted on the Caen thread). We even spoke briefly of the sudden disappearance of Sharon, who a few of us saw leave for the gig earlier but she did not appear on stage. Just before opening, a crew member dashed on to take off her microphone, so we asked if she was alright. I can tell you (a few people who were with us and at the lunch were told but I won't divulge what was said) he was quite happy to let us know and we asked him to offer all the Forums best wishes to her for a health recovery.

He is NOT a secret man, nor a person that goes to great lengths to avoid his fans, he may not go out to seek them but that is pretty sensible. I have said on here elsewhere, he is not an idol, nor a God, he is flesh and blood, a terrific person yes and the insistence of putting Leonard high on a pedestal as an untouchable, is to me after over 40 years a fan, bizarre at best. It wasn't like this but in the last few years since the tour started, some folks have become obsessed and this episode about some Woman who in a moment of great emotion, did something few Women would do but it's not the end of the World, she was not a danger to Leonard, as was proven, the only question here is about security, NOT the Woman, or an excuse that Leonard is somehow so almighty, even some kind of prophet, that one must not even dream of entering his space.........Sorry up until now I have sat on my hands but for goodness sake, lets keep reality in check and just enjoy his books, his poems and his songs, without all this massive over idolisation of a good and gracious man.

There, some may speak to me again and some may not........I hope the latter won't be the case.
Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année à tous

[lizzytysh]

Hi Vicomte ~

I don't know about others, but I have no intention of not speaking to you again. When I say that Leonard avoids fans before and after his concerts, I don't mean to say that he's an obsessive recluse. He does not have meet & greets and he reserves and conserves his energies before and after his shows. The night before a concert and the morning after a concert are not the time frames I refer to. He does not arrange meet-ups/meet-and-greets with fans before or after concerts by design. And certainly not during one. If someone chances upon him before a concert, they're fortunate, but it's going to be rare.

How each person perceives "due respect" is going to vary. Due respect isn't equivalent to idolatry. My only hope is that security will be prepared to enforce what I consider to be due respect at any future concerts.

Hi Sam ~ My comment stands on its own. I'm really not going to go into it here; perhaps, you'd care to elaborate on your posting preceding it. Perhaps, not. The lines are wide and much is written between them. Still, they are what they are and I'm content to leave that as it is... in fact, I've lost my desire for it to be otherwise. And I wish you well.


~ Lizzy

[catswhiskers]

HEY EVERYONE

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH--it happened-its done-there is no more to be said.

I want to wish all you forum Members a TRULY HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a wonderful New Year.

Also To Leonard and the UHTC--EVERY GOOD WISH FOR A WONDERFUL,PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS--well deserved time to be spent with loved ones,family and friends--and finally to THANKYOU from the bottom of our hearts for all those precious moments you have shared with us.

With my love to you all

Chris xxxx

[lizzytysh]

You're right, Chris. At this point, I agree totally.
You've written a lovely and appropriate message to the Forum members, to Leonard, and to all of his crew, including his band.

The time is short before Christmas and then so soon comes the new year. What it will hold for all of us remains only a guess. My own best wishes stand strongly beside yours.

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it. Happy Hanukkah to those who celebrate in the Jewish faith. Happy New Year to everyone.

Thank you to Leonard, to his band, and to the UHTC Crew for three years of blessings.
I'm not alone in hoping for more.


~ Lizzy

[tinderella]

Fantastic post Vicomte

[anneeshipley]

Fantastic post Vicomte

I second that---common sense prevails ....

[musicmania]

HEY EVERYONE

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH--it happened-its done-there is no more to be said.

I want to wish all you forum Members a TRULY HAPPY CHRISTMAS and a wonderful New Year.

Also To Leonard and the UHTC--EVERY GOOD WISH FOR A WONDERFUL,PEACEFUL CHRISTMAS--well deserved time to be spent with loved ones,family and friends--and finally to THANKYOU from the bottom of our hearts for all those precious moments you have shared with us.

With my love to you all

Chris xxxx

Well said Chris xxx Peace and Goodwill to everyone as we remember and be thankful for the most magical experiences of our lives xxx

[da2008]

That "person" who got on stage is a sorry excuse of a human being and should have been thrown out of the concert and banned from Caesars Palace. Have anybody here heard of people being killed by their overzealous fans? What the hell does that "person" need to do on the stage? Try and do that at a Metallica concert or some place in New York...

This thread has become a place where different kinds of "do-gooders" come to share their small victories over the man they claim to love and respect and give each other high-fives and excuses for the job well done. Sorry, but I just feel like this isn't about music and poetry anymore...

[da2008]

My true love and respect to Leonard, his band and crew and all the real admirers of Leonard's talent on this board. May we all have good judgement, health and sense of beautiful in 2011. Much love to all of you who post here.

[TipperaryAnn]

Leonard replied with a huge grin "Yes I do and you can accost me any time you wish" I have said on here elsewhere, he is not an idol, nor a God, he is flesh and blood, for goodness sake, lets keep reality in check and just enjoy his books, his poems and his songs, without all this massive over idolisation of a good and gracious man

Well done, Vicomte, I love your post, and I love the happy, natural photo of you with Leonard.

Lizzy, whoever you are, you seem to think you are Leonard's keeper. Fortunately,Leonard seems well able to make his own choices. So why should Musicmania be attacked for making her own opportunity, if Tinderella is granted an "audience" ? It is up to Leonard to choose - he chooses well.

There is always an "inner circle" of fans who think they know best; as George Orwell (almost!) said, "all fans are equal, but some fans are more equal ( or think they are) than others."
Anyway, I'm off now to enjoy Christmas in Ireland. I may return here in the new year, but less and less so if the Idolators, mainly ladies from the US, take over this forum.

[lizzytysh]

Tipperary Ann ~

It really doesn't matter whether you're Ann-Margret, Elvis Presley, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Bob Hope, Eminem, Joni Mitchell, Lady Gaga, or whomever... outside the concert hall and inside the concert hall are entirely different spaces. The boundaries are clear... for most; and it doesn't require membership in an "inner circle" to recognize them. Common sense helps, though. The stage for the performer is their sacred space... unless they themselves choose and make it otherwise. And they certainly are in control of themselves and know exactly how to do that... and nothing of that sort happened and hasn't for many decades with Leonard.

Somehow, these issues have become inappropriately mixed-and-matched. Apples and oranges. No one [at least not I] have an issue, any issue, with musicmania or Tinderella or anyone else being granted an audience. It seems only willful misinterpretation [misrepresentation] has led to this conceptual leap on the real issue. I'm certainly not and don't fancy myself Leonard's keeper; however, I am certainly aware of the many major differences between the real issue and the pseudo-issues presented here.

Now, I'm off for a Happy Holiday, too ! Be well .


~ Lizzy

[musicmania]

I've one comment to make and that is to say I have had nothing but support from Lizzy and indeed most people here. Now that I am no longer as sick and read back over what I wrote I do regret being so open and have learned maybe that it wasn't such a good idea.

This is supposed to be the season of goodwill and I'll post here the same image as I've just posted on my FB page and wish everyone of every faith happy holidays and happy new year.