Leonard Cohen's Problems

Joey Ace · From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

A very interesting article on how an artist lost millions, allegedly to management, is now at http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/finance/article.jsp?content=20050822_110877_110877

Bob Smith · From: Allentown, New Jersey, USA

Wow, Im amazed that guy made that kinda money? ? I always thought of him as a cult figure at best? I wonder how his "intellectual" material generates that kind of dough these days? Im shocked!! bob ;

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

Leonard Cohen generates millions in radio and mechanical royalties alone. Couple that with his book deals, and you have...er...had a rich man.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Didn't the Austin Lounge Lizards write a song called, "Leonard Cohen's Day Job" about how he was working for nickels at the car wash? Hmmmm... maybe they knew all this already?

Bob Smith · From: Allentown, New Jersey, USA

Im curious, which radio stations play Leonard Cohen music in 2005?

Keith Cordell · From: San Diego

Leonard has never sold a lot of records at once, but all his stuff sells consistently, for long periods of time. I recently bought 4 early albums on CD and while I was in line met someone else who had been trying to find his entire back catalogue. He seems to get "discovered" by new listeners regularly.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

I would guess that he makes a lot more from other people's covers of his songs than from his own recordings of them, but I could be wrong. (That happened once before...)

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

I have no numbers to back it up, but I would guess Cohen is more popular in Europe than in the US. He's always been huge in Scandinavia (being the notorius "melancoholics" that we are....).

Steinar

------------------
www.gregertsen.com

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

I definitely was referring to other people's recordings of his stuff. "Bird On A Wire", stuff like that.

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

I never gave a lot of thought to Cohen. I knew some of his stuff through covers. I thought of him as a 'songwriter's songwriter'. And as a quirky performer of his own stuff with a very personal style. Some 10+ years ago or so he did a tour with a large group that included some TV performances. Very surprising departure from his minimalistic 'a man with a song' style---a little bit chanteuse, a little bit lounge singer--I never quite got over the surprise of it and it came and it went and I forgot about it.
Currently in the rotation on the Ovation channel on cable tv are reruns of the Jools Holland show. There is one compilation episode called something like "American Masters" or "American Heros" or something. Al Green. Patti Smith. Around halfway through the hour is a performance by Cohen and this large group that knocked me on my butt. It is just mesmerizing. The song is called "The Future" and after seeing this episode a half dozen times I finally managed to capture it on video tape. It definitely might just be me and it might just be one of those things--time/place/mood that caught me right but I find it totally freaking brilliant.

As to the subject of this thread---what can you say? What a drag.

Chris LeDrew · From: Canada

Jon,

You were not hallucinating. "The Future" is a mesmerizing tale that is genious in its execution. The images in that song will send the listener into a trance. It was written in the early 90's, but it can relate so much to what's going on right now. I urge anyone who hasn't experienced this song to listen. what a brilliant tune.
So glad you brought it up. I saw him perform this tune in toronto during the summer of '93. I was right in the mind set(he-he) to take it in, with all the clouds rushing by on the backdrop screen. Unforgettable.

Dave Boothroyd · From: Staffordshire Moorlands

You might be surprised by how influential he is.
I was looking for some chords for "Hallelujah" - I wanted the JJ Cale arrangement to work on. This song was one of the high points of Shrek, would you believe?
In the process I came upon this site of the number of people who have covered LC songs. There are pages of them. http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/test.html
I love the quote at the top- I know exactly what he means!
"I love to hear my songs by anyone else but me.
My critical faculties go into suspension.
I don't wonder 'Do I like it?' - I LOVE IT!!!" - Leonard Cohen

------------------
Cheers!
Dave

Herb Steiner · From: Briarcliff TX 78669, pop. 2,064

Leonard Cohen said something years ago that steel players should take to heart.

He was asked by a journalist what his definition of "success" was, and if he had achieved it.

Cohen replied "success is survival."

If you're surviving as a steel player, in LC's definition, you are successful.

Just don't let your manager rip you off for millions of bucks and you're good to go.

------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Nobody ever stole a million bux from me and I expect nobody ever will. I like to think that it's because I am careful about how I choose my friends and bizniz acquaintances.
The same reason nobody ever stole licks from me. Or stole pictures of me to print in Playgirl.

Jim Cohen · From: Philadelphia, PA

Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

Like I said--same reason my picking isn't imitated, same reason I'm not an inadvertant Playgirl centerfold, same reason nobody stole my millions. It HAS to be because I am careful when I choose my associates. That's the only possible explanation.

Bob Smith · From: Allentown, New Jersey, USA

Im not sure, but i kinda suspect alot of these ripoff stories are over " alledged" amounts of money which would be alot different then sweeping a pile of" real" cash off the table.There so many of these kinda stories you have to wonder if they are valid and arent just a remorseful artist wanting to collect something that never really existed ? bob

Graham Lathrop · From: Dallas TX

I hate to hear this...Leonard is one of my favorites. I forsee an outpouring of artist support for this man if things get to bad. Leonard should not worry...By the way he does keep a steeler in his touring group.

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

He has a strange style which I like a lot. It borders on being eerie and strange but something about him is engrossing! He always carried top notch musicians with him on his roadshows and recordings. His songs have been recorded by other artists as well with success. Neil Diamond recorded a couple of LC's tunes, one which comes to mind is Suzanne on the Stones album I believe. JH in Va.

Harry Dietrich · From: Robesonia, Pennsylvania, USA, R.I.P.

I saw him on Austin City Limits a couple of years ago, and he just blew my mind. The music was "different" to say the least. I went out and purchased 3 of his CD's.
IMO the best one is his "Field Commander Cohen: Tour of 1979." If you want to hear great music get this one.

Songs like "Lover, Lover, Lover, and "So Long Marianne" are just mind blowing.

I don't hear any steel guitars on any of his songs though, but the music is awesome anyhow.

Harry

P.S. He also wrote quite a few musical scores for movies.

The guy is an absolute music genius.

[This message was edited by Harry Dietrich on 27 August 2005 at 10:29 PM.]