When I first saw him perform

[Buzz of the Orient]

In the summer of 1966, as a staff member of the Mariposa Folk Festival which was held at Innes Lake, a spot in the country, I so recall the evening concert, outdoors on a cool night. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were checking people as they came to catch ones carrying alcoholic beverages. When Leonard Cohen took the stage, the first thing he said was something like this: "I want to announce to the OPP that nobody stores their grass in beer bottles." That got the audience warmed up. He then sang "Suzanne", and I have to tell you that the hair on the back of my neck stood out - it was such an emotional experience - one I have not forgotten and, save for the possibility of Alzheimers, will never forget. I have many of his recordings, old and new, and play them often. They are very comforting, sort of like eating comfort foods. I have on certain websites where one's choices for favourite musician are requested always listed Leonard Cohen as number one.

[Franks]

I like your story.
I had to Google Innes Lake. Australia it is?
I was 6 when this happened. By the time I was going to festivals, grass was not an issue and no police checking for booze. But then in the Netherlands we have always been a bit more liberal when it comes to mind altering herbs.

Cheers,

[lizzytysh]

And I love your story, Buzz of the Orient.
Can so easily imagine Leonard's saying that in his dry, witty way.
Welcome to the Forum ... if you like, you can introduce yourself, and share this again, in the Everything Else section.


~ Lizzy

[Andrew (Darby)]

I had to Google Innes Lake. Australia it is?
Cheers,

If you Googled it, I guess you know by now that it isn't Australia, but in Ontario, Canada.

Cheers,
Andrew

[Franks]

Sure,make sense that in 1966 Leonard played in Canada and not in Australia.
The reason I mentioned Australia is because if I google Innes Lake, the first page of search results is all about Innes Lake in Australia.
Perhaps the Canadians should do more to promote their country

[Goldin]

Welcome to the Forum, Buzz of the Orient!

Could it be the summer of 1967 rather than 1966?

http://speakingcohen.wordpress.com/2013 ... -festival/

[Tchocolatl]

Ontario Provincial Police doing an intervention during a folk festival in Australia, said folk festival travelling time. And so on. And so on. Buzz of the Orient, this is a brand of hallucinogenic grass isnt' it?

Comfort sounds, Cohen is for sure in any case.