somewhat_nifty wrote:'You thought that it could never happen to all the people that you became...'
Still can't quite believe it, but I met Leonard today in Lille! I've always cherished the hope that I would meet him one of these days, just so I could thank him for how much his work has meant to me, but what are the chances? Oddly enough (and burningviolin will back me up on this), after I booked the tickets for Lille back in November last year, I had a dream that I would meet him in Lille (ok, so the dream involved buying him coffee, but minor details aside...
) - I very rarely dream about Leonard so it has stuck with me, and now feels even more spooky.
It was this morning as I arrived at the station to catch the Eurostar back to London after a fantastic show at the Zenith Arena the night before. I had been disappointed that it was so rainy in Lille, as it meant I could not do much exploring - it cleared up about half an hour before I had to go, so I had a quick wander round the Grand Place and then hurried to the station - a big glass building on the corner. Through the glass I could see the Crowne Plaza hotel over the road, and I saw a van being loaded, and next to this a group of people, one of whom was wearing a fedora.... As I had left plenty of time to check-in for the train, I wandered over for a closer look, thinking it was maybe one of the crew, but no, it was The Man himself, standing outside chatting to two younger ladies who looked to be part of the team (I thought at first it was the Webb sisters, but no). I was stood on the other side of the road, thinking 'can I ...?'. After a quick pep-talk with burningviolin on the phone, I decided to go for it and quickly crossed the road, narrowly avoiding several French automobiles (why do they drive on the wrong side of the road, ffs?!
). Conversation as follows (ok, so not very revelatory, but it's still special to me):
s_n: Mr Cohen, could I possibly ask you to sign my book? (1st edition of The Favourite Game)
LC: Of course. (chuckling) I haven't seen one of those for a long time.
(as it's an old book it already has a dedication written by someone else in the 60s)
s_n: It's the English first edition. It's been written in already, but not to me
LC: That's not you? What's your name?
s_n: Ruth
LC: R-U-T-H?
s_n: yes
LC: What's the date today? Is it the 27th?
s_n: (who has had the 25th September engraved on her memory for some time) no, it's the 26th. It was a wonderful concert last night, I came over from London for it.
LC: Thank you. There you go.
s_n: Thanks so much for this, it really means a lot. Enjoy the rest of the tour.
And of such commonplaces are unforgettable (to me) moments made. I felt too awkward to ask for a photo, but the experience will stay with me forever, and I have my signed copy to treasure.
After I floated back to the station I bumped into gilly-rjd who was catching the same train, and told her what had happened to me. She (naturally) decided that meeting Leonard was more important than catching her train, so she left the queue to go and see him too - luckily she not only met him and got a photo and autograph, she also still got the train! But I'm sure she will come and share the story.
I know as an encounter it's not exactly up there with Frost/Nixon, but I felt I had to share it, and have to add to the already large consensus that Leonard Cohen is the most charming, generous and kind man to his fans; I know that if I had asked him for a picture he would have been happy to oblige....maybe next time!
Here's my dedication:
PS: - I'm wondering if 'to Ruth, with love' constitutes some kind of binding wedding contract, but I suspect not...
