Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek ... · Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece -...

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Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek Gateway - The Top Greek Entertainment Website The legendary Canadian singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen has passed away at the age of 82. Leonard Cohen had an immense love for the Greek island of Hydra where he got much of his inspiration for his beautiful music, lyrics and deep poetry. On September 27, 1964, six days after his 30th birthday, Cohen bought a house in Hydra for $1500, using a bequest from his recently deceased grandmother. This was a "big deal" in the words of one of his friends, a commitment to place and a world that was mysterious and unusual. Buying the house was a complicated act, needing the assistance of his friend Demetri Gassoumis as translator, adviser, and witness to the deed. Cohen later said that it was the smartest decision he ever made. MUST SEE VIDEO. LEONARD COHEN GOES BACK TO HIS HOUSE ON THE ISLAND OF HYDRA. GREEK FRIENDS GREET HIM WITH SO MUCH LOVE AND FILOTIMO. At the 6:20 mark. Below is Cohen's Greek Driver's Licence: 1 / 6

Transcript of Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek ... · Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece -...

Page 1: Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek ... · Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek Gateway - The Top Greek Entertainment Website The three-story, ancient

Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek Gateway - The Top Greek Entertainment Website

The legendary Canadian singer and songwriter Leonard Cohen has passed away at the age of82. Leonard Cohen had an immense love for the Greek island of Hydra where he got much ofhis inspiration for his beautiful music, lyrics and deep poetry.

On September 27, 1964, six days after his 30th birthday, Cohen bought a house in Hydra for$1500, using a bequest from his recently deceased grandmother. This was a "big deal" in thewords of one of his friends, a commitment to place and a world that was mysterious andunusual. Buying the house was a complicated act, needing the assistance of his friend DemetriGassoumis as translator, adviser, and witness to the deed. Cohen later said that it was thesmartest decision he ever made.

MUST SEE VIDEO. LEONARD COHEN GOES BACK TO HIS HOUSE ON THE ISLAND OFHYDRA. GREEK FRIENDS GREET HIM WITH SO MUCH LOVE AND FILOTIMO. At the 6:20mark.

Below is Cohen's Greek Driver's Licence:

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Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek Gateway - The Top Greek Entertainment Website

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Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek Gateway - The Top Greek Entertainment Website

The three-story, ancient whitewashed building, with its five rooms on several levels, was rundown and had no electricity, plumbing or running water. Yet it was a private space where hecould work, either on the large riled terrace or in his music room on the third floor.

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Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek Gateway - The Top Greek Entertainment Website

What many people do not know is that Leonard Cohen learned the Greek language in histwenties, loved the Greek way of life and carried a komboloi. Cohen lived for 20 years on theisland of Hydra.

Cohen performed at concerts in front of tens of thousands of people, but the first concert heever gave was in the back room of the Katsikas Brothers Grocery Store on the Hydra waterfrontin 1960. 

One of Leonard Cohen's closest friends, Steve Sanfield, said, "One of the things I wanted tomention… is really how important those Greece years and the Greek sensibility were toLeonard and his development. Leonard liked Greek music and Greek food, he spoke Greekpretty well for a foreigner, and there was no rushing with Leonard,it's 'Well, let's have a cup of coffee and we'll talk about it.' He and I both carried a komboloi."

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Leonard Cohen and his love of Greece - News - Greek Gateway - The Top Greek Entertainment Website

RIP MR. LEONARD COHEN. THE ANGELS IN HEAVEN ARE DANCING WHILE YOU SINGFOR THEM.LISTEN TO THE HIT "EVERYBODY KNOWS" YOU CAN HEAR THE GREEK INFLUENCEWITH THE BOUZOUKI FILLS IN THE BACKGROUND.

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