Reporting From The Scene
Leonard Cohen fans were disappointed this weekend about the slight coverage afforded the Canadian singer-songwriter’s acceptance of his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys. While reviewing the event this morning,1 however, I discovered a gem that has already been published on LeonardCohenForum but may have escaped notice by less – well, less severely afflicted fans.
It turns out that the Leonard Cohen community had its own representative covering the arrival of the Spin Doctor For The Apocalypse.2
While ongoing Heck Of A Guy readers may well recognize Arlene Dick 3 from her previous contributions, especially her extensive videotaping of the final swing of the Fall 2009 American leg of the Leonard Cohen World Tour, they may not be aware of her dedication to the cause and her determination to finish what she starts. This video should establish those traits firmly in the minds of viewers.
First, check out her own description of her credentials and the arrival of Cohen and friends:
I showed up this afternoon at the Wilshire Ebell Theater wearing my fedora and Maarten’s lovely lanyard and badge.
Are you Press? No, but I am with the Leonard Cohen Forum and I am here to make a report. Must have sounded and looked sufficiently official because security let me park in the VIP parking lot. …
After that, battling security was not as successful. In fact there seemed to be more security men than the dozen or so lurkers.
Robert Kory arrived first wearing his trademark fedora – easy to spot. He registered at the offical desk and then was on his cellphone for quite a while.
I did see LC arrive in a large black Lincoln van (no one arrived in Limos) … In a few minutes, Sharon Robinson arrived with a man, walking up the side street and joined Robert Kory. … Then Kory waited for Elliott Lefko, AEG North America Promotion and they all went inside.
Robert Kory - screen capture by Arlene Dick
Now, watch the video, keeping an eye out for
- Leonard Cohen, of course.
- Anjani, the woman accompanying Leonard Cohen.
- The – uh, discussion between the completely outgunned security guard (his final capitulation consists of “Let me know when you’re ready”) and Arlene “Always Gets Her Man” Dick
Leonard Cohen arrives at Special Grammys Jan 30,2010
Video from arlenedick15
And Arlene also cleverly recorded the streaming video of Leonard Cohen’s acceptance speech itself, providing this treat for those of us who missed it the first time.
Leonard Cohen Grammy Acceptance Speech, Jan 30, 2010
Video from arlenedick15
Bonus: Sharon Robinson Arrival
From the YouTube introduction,
Sharon Robinson arrives at the Wilshire Ebell Theater for the Special Grammys on Jan 30, 2010. Leonard Cohen received a Lifetime Achievement Grammy. She is greeted by Robert Kory, Leonard Cohen’s manager.
Sharon Robinson arrives at Special Grammys Jan 30, 2010
Video from arlenedick15
Order Of Leonard Awarded
In recognition of her efforts above and beyond the call, as exemplified in her documentation of the performances during the final Fall 2009 USA Leonard Cohen World Tour concerts and, especially, her heroic efforts as a one-person reporting team in obtaining the videos of Leonard Cohen’s and Sharon Robinson’s arrivals at the Grammy’s and capturing the video of Leonard Cohen’s Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech solely for the benefit of those of us who appreciate and admire Leonard Cohen’s music, Heck Of A Guy confers upon Arlene Dick the
Order of Leonard Award.
- I missed the entire event in real time because I was ensconced in the my mother’s cabin in the Ozarks [↩]
- “Spin Doctor For The Apocalypse” is one of Cohen’s many nicknames listed at Leonard Cohen, AKA … – The Nicknames [↩]
- AKA arlenedick15 and bridgebud on YouTube and bridger15 on LeonardCohenForum [↩]
Nice catch. I found the videos of LC and Sharon Robinson arriving, but couldn’t find his speech. Well worth looking for — as the man says, “Magnificent.” I knew I could count on you, Dr. HGuy.
I sense that LC is feeling his age a bit (who isn’t), but I also sense he will be around quite a bit longer and he will also be our guide in this, as in other things.
That makes two people getting awards that they really deserve, well done to LC on his Grammy and Arlene on her Order of Leonard Award!
I would like to dedicate this prestigious award to the “20 thousand angels” on the LC Forum, especially the brazen polka dot blouse throwers and Fred’s persistent mum for convincing me that determined, inappropriate behaviour does produce tremendous results.
I am proud to be only the second recipient of this award, the first having been accorded to the superb Leonard Cohen concert videographer, Albert Noonan (IrishAl). Being second after Albert is indeed an honour in itself.
Thank you, Allan, for giving every one of us a place to enjoy, weep, learn and broaden one’s horizon. Your blog is worthy of a “Pultizer Prize” if there were such a category.
—Arlene (bridger15)
Many thanks for both Heck and Arlene
Wonderful work by both of you!
And, that Noonan guy is no slouch either!
is great to see all the LC fans so deeply committed and in touch with each other…………tells the younger groupies that there’s life after40,50,60,70,80?