Another Leonard Cohen Hollywood YMCA T Shirt – From Heck Of A Guy Blog
I am reminded by Esther1 that, in addition to those examples of Leonard Cohen wearing a Hollywood YMCA shirt featured in Seductive Songs … Bonus: The Hollywood YMCA Shirt, the Canadian singer-songwriter is shown attired in that apparel in the photo recently republished Leonard Cohen And His Romanian Friend (see original photo above and a blow-up of the section with the shirt below).
Esther goes on to note,
If he [Leonard Cohen] were a gentleman and cared anything about his female fans, he would have given the shirt to her and gone topless himself.
An example from Seductive Songs Of Leonard Cohen #11 – “Take This Longing” & Bonus: The Hollywood YMCA Shirt follows:
And A Historical Note – The Roscoe Beck-Leonard Cohen Hollywood YMCA Connection
In related news, those perpetually popular and always astute reliable sources have it that Rosco Beck and Leonard Cohen wore Hollywood YMCA tee shirts “all the time” during the 1979 tour rehearsals and swam daily at the Hollywood YMCA.
Consequently, it seems likely that more photos of Leonard and perhaps some of Roscoe sporting these garments may be floating about. Viewers who happen onto such specimens are urged to contact Heck Of a guy.
- Ongoing readers may recall Esther, aka mnkyface at LeonardCohenForum, from New And Improved Leonard Cohen Merchandise – The DIY Unified Heart Jacket Patch, “The Lost Canadian” Performed By Leonard Cohen – A Video Re-interpretation, and Leonard Cohen For Governor General of Canada Campaign Video [↩]
Needless to say, hundreds of Hollywood YMCA engraved towels, shorts and t-shirts, muscle shirts, lifeguard shirts, camp counselor shirts, Adventure Trails shirts, staff security shirts, and even maintenance staff uniforms are in circulation. I am embarrassed to say probably one of the most out of control inventory under my watch. Now that Leonard Cohen has come out in the open with contraband I am certain my successors couldn’t do better even with a chain and lock on every t-shirt. Thank you, Leonard! We love you!
Norris Lineweaver
Executive Director (1980-88)
Hollywood YMCA