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I first heard the music of Leonard Cohen in 1994 when I saw Natural Born Killers opening week in the theaters. I was mesmerized by what I heard and eventually picked up the soundtrack specifically for the Cohen songs. It took a couple of years but as I was going through my music collection I decided I needed to delve further into Leonard's albums. The rest as they say is history as I ended up picking every single album and stray song I could find very swiftly.

The first time I heard Leonard Cohen was in my early 20's, a little after leaving the service. That was about 1970.
I and a friend were doing Mescaline, and my friend put on Leonard... I have been a lifelong fan ever since.
My favorite, among many is "Dress rehearsal rag"


Anunitu

I am so glad this topic has again been resurrected because I have finally read it all through and have been completely engrosed by everyone's experiences and by the responses they garnered. I can't help but notice that a number of the comments are by people who have posted many, many times and some are in the "Gallery of Beautiful Losers" - what an honor. Yet, unless I have missed it on another topic, their 'first time' is not included. Would so like to know how they 'came' to LC!

Kindest regards,
Mary

P.S. Would especially love to hear from 'Lizzytish', Elizabeth, as to how she 'discoverd' LC. You were always so welcoming, Elizabeth, to not only new posters of this topic, but to so many new forum members. Elizabeth, thank you for also being such a great mediating force and voice of reason on this LC forum!

I first heard Leonard Cohens music about 1969 or 70.I was working at my first job,washing dishes at a pizza parlor in Mpls.Mn.There was a folk duo playing and they played Suzanne.That's when I became a Leonard Cohen fan.I bought my first lp with my first paycheck.His music has been a part of my life ever since.My children are Leonard Cohen fans also.We are all hoping to see him when he tours over here,although I doubt if he will come to Alaska where we live.

Hi MaryB,

Check out the thread "How were you first introduced to the words of Leonard Cohen?" on page 2 of Comments and Questions. I think there's also a similar thread elsewhere, since I seem to remember answering this question at least twice.

All good things, John E

John Etherington wrote:Hi MaryB,

Check out the thread "How were you first introduced to the words of Leonard Cohen?" on page 2 of Comments and Questions. I think there's also a similar thread elsewhere, since I seem to remember answering this question at least twice.

All good things, John E

Thank you John for putting me on the right path . I have read through the other thread and then did try to find the other place(s) where this same topic would have been occurred. As you know, this forum is so HUGE so I had no luck but will continue searching when I have more time. Could not these similar threads be merged so that someone like me will not ask a question that has already been answered ?

Sorry Lizzy for asking you something which you have already answered

Warmest regard,
Mary

The first real time was my mom was playing an album. She was saying how Cohen's lyrics were more poetic than Dylan's. I, blindly jumped on her case. I then actually listened to Dance Me to The End of Love. After that, I knew I was wrong.......

jacksonmelnick wrote:The first real time was my mom was playing an album. She was saying how Cohen's lyrics were more poetic than Dylan's. I, blindly jumped on her case. I then actually listened to Dance Me to The End of Love. After that, I knew I was wrong.......

Mother always knows best

There are some more stories here:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=5558&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Hydriot,
Thank you for leading me to the final(?) thread I couldn't find on this topic. It is very much appreciated.
Kindest regards,
Mary

And here, from way back in 2006 when the idea of Leonard touring was about as ridiculous as that of a black man in the White House, is where you can get the low-down on the longer-established members of the forum: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5410&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Hi Hydriot,
Again, thank you. I just went through them all. I always get such a kick out of reading 'the first time experiences' . Ran across yours - on Hydra of all places! What a great story! I had tried to do an advanced search and came up with nothing (or everything ), so I really appreciate your time. Would be great if all these threads could somehow be merged so you 'old-timers ' of this forum would not have to constantly take us newbies by the hand and lead us through this land of Cohen.
Kindest regards,
Mary

.....when I was 16, I listened to " Suzanne" . My former boyfriend played
" Songs from Leonard Cohen" in his car. There in 1972 on an old
"a-track-player " . You still know the big, fat cassettes ?
Yes, that was my first introduction to Leonard Cohen and after that, his
songs never let me off.

I first discovered LC around 40 years ago - as an art student hooked on Songs of Leonard Cohen. I went to see/hear him read poetry at the ICA in London around this time - must have been 1969-1970. Someone in the audience asked him if he was going to sing - and he looked quite surprised, and said that unfortunately he hadn't come prepared for that, so it wouldn't be possible. I also remember somebody pointing out MalcolmX x standing at the back of the auditorium. Does anyone have any further recollections about this occasion?

Anyway - 40 years on - and still hooked - and loving every minute of it!

Hi Mordy,

Lucky you catching the poetry gig! (It was May 11th 1970). I rang the ICA, as soon as I heard about it, but it had sold out. I believe it was the day after Leonard's first concert at The Royal Albert Hall, which was also my first Leonard concert.

All good things, John E