Leonard Cohen walks out of concert (live 1972)

[MemphisBlueAgain]

Why did people had to clap and laugh like it was Monty Python or something? This is present in practically all of these early live performances. Poor Leonard must have felt like he was not taken seriously when in fact he often was.

[Domantic]

there was a belgian performer, he had this problem too. in one concert the audience sang along so loudly he couldnt hear himself. he kept moving on to another song.

[Songs4LovesGods]

Bro just cant get it out his heard

[herewEcomeLONDON]

Why don't audiences just the fuck up and listen, I understand exactly how Leonard Cohen feels in this Video. I don't go to a concert to listen to the audience

clap or sing along, I go to listen to the artist perform. It's like me going to the Louvre and wanting to add more paint to the Mona Lisa. Shut the fuck up audience let the artist perform

[itsulorincz]

I was there...

[e61807]

If you knew Cohen personally, this video would need no explanation. He does suffer from anxety attacks, but he also is a pretensious ass. He is NOT...I repeat...He is not this God like intellectual that he is trying to appear to be. He was peeved that the audience was not down on their knees in a worship position as he started the song. He tends to take himself too seriously as some "Great I AM". Deep down he knows that he doesn't write all his poems and songs himself. Just relax Cohen. I KNOW !

[Nunatag1]

What was it that went wrong exactly? He started so well then suddenly stopped

[FidelCastro128]

Artists are quite human, sometimes much to human for us mortals to believe

Artists have the perogative to do what they must do with little regard for

trival opinions.

[cydewalk]

Isn't it obvious that the audiences' stupid clapping destroys the whole atmosphere and that it's THAT that makes it impossible for him to sing the song as he intended to? As I see it he wasn't having a bad day, it was simply the audience that pissed him off. Despite that he stays incredibly respectful, calm and polite. How ironic to come to listen to beautiful music and then drown it with clapping noise!

[randyatlantis]

God I love this man.

[conorl858]

Thank you so much , saw this on BBC3 and was really moved by how much he really loves his fans

[atthewhiskey]

Where was this Concert ? ? It would be totally and utterly hillarious if it were in Jerusalem mehehe

[sp45ih]

I mean, he didn't walk out when I saw him - I don't think I specified that in my last comment. Obviously I was talking about this one we watch here. I understand how badly people want to see him perform, but if you have alot of respect for him as an artist, I think it's important to respect him as a person. I've had depression and anxiety myself previously - and sometimes it's harder than other people think to "snap out of it" - hell, sometimes it's not possible at the moment

[sp45ih]

He is so honest and human. I admire him for that. He's very sweet to talk to the audience. When I saw him last year, he gave a lovely speech at the end. He was nice enough to promise the money to be refunded, and he has the right to experience anything the rest of us do.

[twinman009]

truth and honesty :)

what a man

[ichigorobei]

I've been a Leonard Cohen fan since the mid-60's and never knew this happened. Thanks for posting this and bringing this to our awareness! It adds yet another dimension to this amazing and fascinating person whose music has meant so much to us but whom most of us will never get a chance to really know.

[Sheviera]

He's hysterically funny. Glad to hear he came back, lol.

[legarry1011]

Not in every individual, but often it's amazing how it's so simply complicated when you're young- -but so simply simple when you're older....another words, the Leonard Cohen of today isn't the Leonard Cohen in this video

[sweetgypsywife]

It was as if the audience flicked the switch, and despite what seems like a good humoured response from Leonard, his sensitivity left him wounded...

[tojugula]

Mr. Cohen, for this I adore you, sincerely.

[Baxxter101]

Cohen is amazing! Tragic how unappreciative this audience is.

[thejimshow4000]

i guess it could happen to anyone

[porkupine73]

okayyyyyy. just sing the damn songs. guess it was a more precious time.

[pierangela69]

he was being honest ...i guess thats a tough one for most people to understand !

[ajpbrunet]

This, IMO, has nothing to do with drugs, and is more a typical manic-depressive behaviour. Cohen is a type I manic-depressive, which is a very serious condition, he went undiagnosed for a long time and it's actually a miracle he was able to create such music in the 60s and 70s as most type Is with no treatment end up killing themselves or completely unable to focus.

This here has *nothing* to do with weakness.

[tomgreenlives]

Mr. Cohen was aware of his condition. He was brave enough to deal with it himself just like dealt with mine. He create such great music due to his depression. His music revolves around much of that. He was strong enough not to bring himself down. Thats why I respect him. Its usually the one who are mentally ill the ones who are special.

[Empadademagma]

many of you are able to see he's either high or anxious or unstable or that he's an artist and the show must go on and he deserves respect for his talent bla bla bla. but not many of you can see him as a MAN. he was honest. he was humble enough to admit his defeat that night and he refused to put on a fake show and to deceive the audience. what courage mr Cohen.

[ultrasynthetic]

He seems really really really high on marijuana. Just freaked...

[kiwibass]

Didn't know he could be such a self-righteous prick...

[riethc]

This is why cocaine is such a popular drug for performers.

[aydeo]

where was it taking place?

[IExposeMormonism]

jerusalem. 1972, i think.

[aydeo]

very strange...

i live in israel and never heard about it.

but 2 days ago he was here again performing (Tel-Aviv) and was great!

he didnt pull out in the middle or somthing...

:)

[IExposeMormonism]

perhaps the lyrics to Suzanne made him stop or he was told by "the authorities" not to sing them. He "forgot" the lyrics as soon as he started the song. Jesus was a sailor when he walked upon the water he spent a long time looking from a lonely wooden tower and when he knew for certain only drowning men could see him he said all men shall be sailors until the sea shall free them but himself was broken long before the sky was open forsaken almost human he sank beneath your wisdom like a stone.

[aydeo]

sorry, but thats crap.

this song was heard over here all the time, since ever.

has nothing to do with the songs lyrics.

[IExposeMormonism]

Perhaps it's a loaded question. But polygamy is legal in Israel and I seem to be the only one that knows it. We both know a temple is about to be built in Israel and ritual animal sacrifice is about to be re-instituted. And His name can not be preached anywhere.. His name is agitating. He cuts across to many paths.... It doesn't seem unreasonable as a cause. maybe not.

[cowboystitching]

He's really crazy. Gotta love Leonard.

[crimsonabsinthe]

Poor Leonard. He really suffered with anxiety and I can see his struggling here. Don't be angry with him. He's an artist and he deserves respect. He was going through a bad time.

Peace.

[HELP203]

There's a camera around and ol' Leonard is trying to act like Dylan.

[OrbvsTomarvm]

Hmmm, everyone seems to be being a little too leonard-centric here. That was just plain RUDE to the paying public... no matter how eloquently put.

Being prosaic or not, has no place on a stage where you have nominated your 'self' to be a paid performer. This is very egocentric behaviour, and a sight i never expected to see - leonard cohen being a prima donna.

[BobbyFig]

Well, I find this mildly interesting. I've often myself felt that I couldn't get thru a song... but sometimes i would push but other times.. I just couldn't. (of course this was in my living room (LOL) Anyway, I found this more entertaining than had he played !!!!!!!!!!

[keithsmith1948]

OrbvsTomarvm,

Don't let the "thumbs down" votes bother you. You're the only one making any sense.

[MaxVoltage]

BULLSHIT! if i pay to see a performer i want their 110%, if they cant or wont they should stop. Id rather have them ruin the experience on purpose than inadvertently, LC a prima-donna??? yeah, ok, every performer is a bit of a prima donna thats why they are ON STAGE

[theachtungtree]

dylan never walked out of a concert....even with peopel throwing things at him....leonard cohen acted like a little scared bitch here ahaha.....love him though

[cblomme]

fair enough but the guy was known to experience clinical-im sick- type depression which if you read about or come into contact with someone who is ill in that way you realize has little to do with ego and being a prima donna

[definemaybe]

FREAK OUT

[louiseduvee]

LMFAO

[lovemydehradun]

Thank you so much for posting all those beautiful moments captured...please leave them

[amberjohnston1989]

LOL grandpa, aww

he's the guy in the yellow shirt trying to tell him the people don't want their money back

[punkpossum]

Wow.. thank you so much for uploading these!!

[megustanlasimagenes]

« Sorry for poor picture quality. F

..Dont worry Dear they are wonderful : pictures of this time ,and of a so real , authentic , lovely and so great Artist it s like a real treasure,

A happiness to discover , thanks a lot !

[shoshana9]

According to Ira Nadel's biography, "Various Positions." he and his band came back on stage to perform the version of So Long, Marianne that messalina79 has posted up here. Nadel says that the concert was an amazing success in the end. What a night! Thanks messalina79: I've been enjoying your contributions.

[messalina79]

Glad you've been enjoying them. I think I'll put numbers on the Bird on a Wire clips so that it's obvious what order they go in.

[eca103]

@shoshana9 he is just great, thanks Leonard.

[aymiderham]

I say just let him go home - he obviously wasn't in the right place mentally. He was actually trying to be considerate by not giving the audience what he thought would be a bad performance.

[Morgsdawg]

Man I know what that is like. Trust me, he felt as bad as they did (well, at least almost as bad).

[weddingvideosyt]

On one hand, what a dildo.

On the other, if he wasn't sensitive as hell, he wouldn't be the singer/songwriter he is.

Just goes to show ya....you can't judge.

[ejcurtis100]

What a strange clip. I have never seen this side of Leonard, especially not on the current tour!