leonardcohenforum.com

I know I'm on a touchy subject here, but absolutely NOT....ever. Not even for charity. I'd donate the money and hit the road. I've never had the awesome, extreme, wonderful pleasure to meet Leonard, but when it does (or might) happen, I would like it to be low-key, quiet, personal, and private. Last December in Las Vegas a number of us (have no idea what the selection process was) were given backstage passes on the final evening. Well, backstage was really downstairs. Many of us waited for up to an hour in the lobby before being guided into the elevator. What I walked into was a brightly lit, crowded room, and I could see Leonard in the middle, surrounded by dozens of fans...and protectively watched over by Joey, and Mike Stroble anxiously waiting at a side door.

I am only sharing my feelings, as I know so many others were ecstatic and happy and chatting with Leonard. I froze. There was no way this nameless face could walk up to him, surrounded by others listening to my every word, and babble whatever one might babble at a moment like that. I would be nothing, and the moment would be nothing. Instead I circled the room chatting with several band members I know and their families....finally sitting alone at a table feeling completely out of place, until I noticed a friend over by the wall. She was as uneasy as me...we nodded, and left as quickly as possible.

Not all of Leonard's management were happy about the "meet and greet". I know I was very uncomfortable and felt alienated somehow.....lol, don't try to analyze that! So...bottom line....no, I would never pay. I've said for years that I don't want to meet Leonard; however, that awful moment made me realize that I do....not at a concert, but maybe over a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine...or just a hello on a Montreal street on a sunny day with the breeze ruffling the trees.

ladydi wrote:I know I'm on a touchy subject here, but absolutely NOT....ever. Not even for charity. I'd donate the money and hit the road. I've never had the awesome, extreme, wonderful pleasure to meet Leonard, but when it does (or might) happen, I would like it to be low-key, quiet, personal, and private. Last December in Las Vegas a number of us (have no idea what the selection process was) were given backstage passes on the final evening. Well, backstage was really downstairs. Many of us waited for up to an hour in the lobby before being guided into the elevator. What I walked into was a brightly lit, crowded room, and I could see Leonard in the middle, surrounded by dozens of fans...and protectively watched over by Joey, and Mike Stroble anxiously waiting at a side door.

I am only sharing my feelings, as I know so many others were ecstatic and happy and chatting with Leonard. I froze. There was no way this nameless face could walk up to him, surrounded by others listening to my every word, and babble whatever one might babble at a moment like that. I would be nothing, and the moment would be nothing. Instead I circled the room chatting with several band members I know and their families....finally sitting alone at a table feeling completely out of place, until I noticed a friend over by the wall. She was as uneasy as me...we nodded, and left as quickly as possible.

Not all of Leonard's management were happy about the "meet and greet". I know I was very uncomfortable and felt alienated somehow.....lol, don't try to analyze that! So...bottom line....no, I would never pay. I've said for years that I don't want to meet Leonard; however, that awful moment made me realize that I do....not at a concert, but maybe over a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine...or just a hello on a Montreal street on a sunny day with the breeze ruffling the trees.

Start singing and hanging out in Montreal coffee shops Diana ! I totally agree with you. I never understood the desire to interact with a person who will not remember you five minutes later, no matter who he is. At the end of the day, unless the meeting is memorable and desired by both parties, it is hollow and meaningless IMO. To each his own though.

scubasam wrote: I never understood the desire to interact with a person who will not remember you five minutes later, no matter who he is. At the end of the day, unless the meeting is memorable and desired by both parties, it is hollow and meaningless IMO. To each his own though.

I am no fan of formal "meet and greet" sessions and I certainly would not pay for one. Thank goodness it's never going to happen with Leonard. However I have had the pleasure of "bumping" in to Leonard a few times on the road. I have never engineered any of these meetings and I have never chased around hotels looking for him as some have. In each case it has been totally fortuitous. I have just happened to be in the same place - mainly hotel and lift lobbies - at the same time on 3 or 4 occasions over a 2 year period and have been able to share a few words with him each time. Each time Leonard has greeted me warmly and has remembered me from our first meeting in Nimes when we spoke for somewhat longer as we waited for our respective transport to the airport, all the while holding my hand in both of his and looking straight in to my eyes. He also greeted me warmly when I saw him in Las Vegas and gave me a great big hug that I will remember for the rest of my life.

In all honesty, I think I would have felt the same as you Diana if I had seen Leonard in the centre of the room, surrounded by fans. I am far to reserved and "English" to put myself forward in this sort of situation and that's probably just as well. I think scubasam's words ring true for this sort of situation and for "meet and greet" and signing sessions in general. There is no substitute for a genuine chance meeting provided you are not interrupting anything. Leonard may not remember it for long afterwards but it most certainly will not be "hollow and meaningless" to him at the time. I hope you get your opportunity one day Diana.

Wendy

Diana you truly live up to your forum name as a lady and if anyone deserves to meet Leonard it is you and I hope your dream comes true and that you meet Leonard somewhere where he isn't surrounded by others. Many disagree with how I met Leonard but I will be forever grateful it wasn't in a huge crowd and that we could have a conversation. I can't say how I would have reacted in that room but I take my reaction of how I first met Bob Geldof into my thinking that I wouldn't have liked being in the middle of a crowd. I was notified by one of the security guys on the night that Bob would be meeting people and when we waited I purposely waited at the back even though I knew I mightn't have a chance to talk to him but I rathered that than being in the initial mob and luckily when they dispersed I was able to talk to him for a few minutes and I've been the same on the other occasions where I have met him. Being a number in a crowd isn't for me but would I have had your grace I don't honestly know. Hat off to you Lady Di

ladydi wrote: Last December in Las Vegas a number of us (have no idea what the selection process was) were given backstage passes on the final evening.

Now that selection process would be interesting to know, wouldn't it? Any of the "powers that be" willing to reveal all?

Not all it's cracked up to be, anyway, it seems. Full marks for your honest appraisal, Ladydi.

Mabeanie1 wrote:There is no substitute for a genuine chance meeting provided you are not interrupting anything. Leonard may not remember it for long afterwards but it most certainly will not be "hollow and meaningless" to him at the time. I hope you get your opportunity one day Diana.

Wendy

I want to clarify that I have no idea if these chance meetings are meaningless for LC - I do not pretend to know the man. I was talking about myself when I said that meeting someone I look up to/fantasize about/idolize for 5 minutes and the entire encounter being little more than one sided (I am excited to meet them, but to them, I am just another fan) is meaningless and hollow (and to be perfectly frank, it's difficult for me to comprehend how such a meeting would be meaningful, but that doesn't mean the meeting is not meaningful, it just wouldn't be for me).

TipperaryAnn wrote:

ladydi wrote: Last December in Las Vegas a number of us (have no idea what the selection process was) were given backstage passes on the final evening.

Now that selection process would be interesting to know, wouldn't it? Any of the "powers that be" willing to reveal all?

I've also wondered about that, not being one of the chosen ones that night. I felt rather jilted (particularly when I was forcefully escorted from Caesar's Palace by a security guard because I did not have a pass).

Perhaps it was not the ideal situation to have met Leonard Cohen. However, I think I may have liked to have had the opportunity to say "hello" and "thank you" to him personally, even if the moment was very brief. It would have been a moment I would have remembered for the rest of my life.

Oh, well.

Not trying to be a sh** stirrer here- I wasn't even in Vegas- but I wanted to bump this thread up. I know LisaLCFan was not the only one who felt that way. It would be nice if all the secrecy surrounding the Vegas backstage/greenroom/after-party access was lifted... After all, if Leonard sanctioned and participated in a fan event, I'm sure he meant for the "chosen" (and I bet he hated the very idea of "chosen") to share stories and pics with other fans...
(thanks for sharing yours, Di )

LisaLCFan wrote:

TipperaryAnn wrote:

ladydi wrote: Last December in Las Vegas a number of us (have no idea what the selection process was) were given backstage passes on the final evening.

Now that selection process would be interesting to know, wouldn't it? Any of the "powers that be" willing to reveal all?

I've also wondered about that, not being one of the chosen ones that night. I felt rather jilted (particularly when I was forcefully escorted from Caesar's Palace by a security guard because I did not have a pass).

Perhaps it was not the ideal situation to have met Leonard Cohen. However, I think I may have liked to have had the opportunity to say "hello" and "thank you" to him personally, even if the moment was very brief. It would have been a moment I would have remembered for the rest of my life.

Oh, well.

mnkyface wrote:Not trying to be a sh** stirrer here- I wasn't even in Vegas- but I wanted to bump this thread up. I know LisaLCFan was not the only one who felt that way. It would be nice if all the secrecy surrounding the Vegas backstage/greenroom/after-party access was lifted... After all, if Leonard sanctioned and participated in a fan event, I'm sure he meant for the "chosen" (and I bet he hated the very idea of "chosen") to share stories and pics with other fans...
(thanks for sharing yours, Di )

LisaLCFan wrote:I've also wondered about that, not being one of the chosen ones that night. I felt rather jilted (particularly when I was forcefully escorted from Caesar's Palace by a security guard because I did not have a pass).

Perhaps it was not the ideal situation to have met Leonard Cohen. However, I think I may have liked to have had the opportunity to say "hello" and "thank you" to him personally, even if the moment was very brief. It would have been a moment I would have remembered for the rest of my life.

Oh, well.

From what I know of Vegas events, it was unclear to all (even Forum Moderators) how many backstage passes would be available for the last night/after party until the last minute. I do know there were people who ran into tour management on the Sat and were given tickets. I also know there were 'certain people' who did some pretty unscrupulous things to get tickets and these same people caused a lot of angst and consternation regarding the way they handled the distribution of passes, along with other issues (like secret projects for LC in which they selected 'the elites' of the Forum to participate - this was their exact wording, not mine). A lot of feelings were hurt. A lot of toes were stepped on. A lot of slandering and lies were told by these same 'certain people' and it left a bitter taste in many mouths. I hope others will come forward with their stories now.

In terms of getting to meet LC that evening, even for a minute. From the accounts I heard, it must have been hell for him. The man is 76. He just spent 3 long years on tour (and many months right before Vegas). He spent 3 hours on stage on the Fri night, and 3.5 hours on stage on the Sat night, standing, singing, giving us everything he had. It must have been physically and emotionally exhausting. The fans sat on their laurels most of the time and just enjoyed the show. Then he comes backstage and is mobbed by people who are so caught up in the moment, they do not allow him to sit or even get a drink, after 3.5 hours of performing. Joey and Marilyn have to act like body guards and physically keep distance between him and the mob and then when he tries to get out, same 'certain people' hang on to him whispering in his ear, not letting him go. I do not purport to know LC and what he does or does not enjoy, and I was not backstage the second night, so I am reporting second hand information, but I cannot imagine this could have been a remotely pleasant experience for him.

Scubasam,

I think it is more interesting to see who has not made a comment about the backstage passes on this thread.

Cheshire gal wrote:Scubasam,

I think it is more interesting to see who has not made a comment about the backstage passes on this thread.

Now that you mention it Marie, how very unusual for a thread (any thread...) to remain untouched like this!

I would like to tell my experience concerning the meet and greet and backstage passes. I am also one who was never quite
sure if I wanted to meet Leonard. Even though I knew it would be a thrill for me I always thought does he really want to have
another besotted woman standing in front him like a deer caught in headlights. But when I eventually did find about the after
concert party I realized that I would have at least like to have had the opportunity to meet him or even be in the same room
for a while.
I didn't know about the party until after the concert and I went to the Seahorse bar expecting a lot of forum people there which
was not the case. People did start to straggle in with one saying she had a backstage pass to meet the band but it was so hectic she
left. I found this curious but didn't give it much thought until others came back and said they were at the party and Leonard was there.
I was initially told the gathering was for band members, their families, moderators and those who put the crew gifts together.
I saw nothing wrong with that but was wondering how did those who weren't a part of any of those groups get in.
Then it dawned on me. Earlier that day a bunch of us were gathered outside the Coliseum standing on the steps chatting.
One of Leonard's managers was there talking to a forum member and it was noticed that the manager gave the forum member
what looked like tickets or passes. I was standing within feet of these people. I consider myself an active member of this community
and forum having made many posts, gone to multiple concerts and meet ups. This said forum member knows me and has had since
shortly after I joined. We have chatted on and off the forum.
When I realized what had happened I tried to shrug it off and that it didn't matter. But it did matter and my feelings were hurt. It was
high school all over again! Maybe I too might have been uncomfortable at this meet and greet given reports on how people were conducting
themselves but as I said before I would have at liked to have had the opportunity to meet Leonard.
I feel the management made a mistake by giving passes to a forum member for them to hand out per their discretion. The meet and greet
should have included all active forum members or none at all.

Marsha

Well said, Marsha.

friscogrl wrote:I would like to tell my experience concerning the meet and greet and backstage passes. I am also one who was never quite
sure if I wanted to meet Leonard. Even though I knew it would be a thrill for me I always thought does he really want to have
another besotted woman standing in front him like a deer caught in headlights. But when I eventually did find about the after
concert party I realized that I would have at least like to have had the opportunity to meet him or even be in the same room
for a while.
I didn't know about the party until after the concert and I went to the Seahorse bar expecting a lot of forum people there which
was not the case. People did start to straggle in with one saying she had a backstage pass to meet the band but it was so hectic she
left. I found this curious but didn't give it much thought until others came back and said they were at the party and Leonard was there.
I was initially told the gathering was for band members, their families, moderators and those who put the crew gifts together.
I saw nothing wrong with that but was wondering how did those who weren't a part of any of those groups get in.
Then it dawned on me. Earlier that day a bunch of us were gathered outside the Coliseum standing on the steps chatting.
One of Leonard's managers was there talking to a forum member and it was noticed that the manager gave the forum member
what looked like tickets or passes. I was standing within feet of these people. I consider myself an active member of this community
and forum having made many posts, gone to multiple concerts and meet ups. This said forum member knows me and has had since
shortly after I joined. We have chatted on and off the forum.
When I realized what had happened I tried to shrug it off and that it didn't matter. But it did matter and my feelings were hurt. It was
high school all over again! Maybe I too might have been uncomfortable at this meet and greet given reports on how people were conducting
themselves but as I said before I would have at liked to have had the opportunity to meet Leonard.
I feel the management made a mistake by giving passes to a forum member for them to hand out per their discretion. The meet and greet
should have included all active forum members or none at all.

Marsha

In all honesty, I don't think management was out of line here. Tour management happily gave out individual passes to those who ran into said management on the Saturday and no problems ensued from this at all. It was their luck that they were in the right place at the right time, although I do think it would have been nice to have an all or nothing approach to the party regarding forum members.

Regarding the incident you are describing, the people you are talking about did some unscrupulous things to get the tickets in the first place, and then asked for several (instead of the one others were just happy to get) and that request was honored. These persons then went on to botch the distribution of the tickets to such an extent that some people who were promised passes did not get them initially and some that did were badgered to hand them back at intermission. More than one person was in tears over this.

Problems occur when you give someone responsibility they are not capable of handling and that is what happened here, not just with the tickets but with certain projects as well.

Marsha and Lisa, I wasn't there but I know that my feelings would have been hurt as well. I'm sure it wasn't personal but it would be hard not to take it that way. Given the circumstances, deciding who would be given passes, what would be most fare must have been near impossible.

It's a shame because the gesture of a having a meet and great on the final night was a lovely one. I’ve seen video clips from the Green Note where Leonard dropped into a ‘fan’ gathering and spent some time with people either before or after a show. He seems like somebody who truly appreciates the support of his 'fans'.




(slightly briefer)