Leonard Cohen interviewed by Matt Zimbel 1988

This is the raw footage of an interview I did with Leonard in 1988 in Toronto at the Four Seasons Hotel. for a BBC/ABC/CBC co-production documentary music show I co-hosted called “Wired”. The interview has never been seen in it's full length before. At times it will require your patience as the tape was quite degraded and we have done our best to restore, but felt the content should rule and therefore there are some spotty moments. Since this is a television interview one must quickly note that while the subject looks timeless, the interviewer is clearly the victim of vintage 1980's "hairdressing", which was shortly thereafter considered a fashion crime.
Leonard is a master interview subject; present, measured, funny, philosophical. His vocabulary is striking, but not in a pretentious way; for example he might call a tour, “an enterprise” or an abandoned idea would “overthrown”, to get out of something, one might “extract “ themselves…He speaks slowly, allowing himself time... to... consider... what... to... say. next. It is a journalistic seduction - one starts to wait for the considered words of the poet with great anticipation. But unlike so many of the famous, his willingness to connect appears so genuine. During our interview I truly believed there was no place he would rather be than talking to me.
I bragged to my journalist friends, ‘oh man, wait until you hear the interview I did with Leonard, it was incredible, he was so charming, so engaged…no question this is the best interview I have ever heard him do”.
“Really?” they would say, “he did a pretty great one on our show too”.
“ Yeah, right!”
And then I would hear the interview on their show and it would be the same interview, just as warm, just as revealing, just as exclusive feeling… but not exclusive at all, God damn it.
PS: I later performed with Leonard in 1993. I miss him greatly, particularly his world view on human kind. He passed away the night before Donald Trump was elected President of the United States.

[@irblock1]

That was a fine interview, well done, Matt, and of course, Leonard was just, Leonard - honest, somewhat revealing, cooperating with the process.

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

I like Matt very much. A respectful and knowledgeable interviewer.

[@nancychiappara3516]

I agree. From Uruguay, South America

[@johnmccann8319]

Brilliant Leonard.

[@allisonberringer4283]

He must have been amazing to be around. He is so calm and oh, that crooked smile!! He was a lovely man and left us with such beautiful music and poetry.

[@blakeaaron5698]

Thank you much for sharing.

[@musicisbrilliant]

So grateful for these interviews. Always get somethin' from em!

[@thomasnewman5497]

Thank you for this. Mr. Cohen is the finest interviewee I've seen. Each interview is a gem.

[@odilesupiot1036]

L' homme dans toute sa splendeur.❤❤❤

[@noparty5183]

With love to the maestro ....given me so much❤️

[@schumachersbatman5094]

I think you are right about your interview, and your friends are right about theirs. He really is open and revealing in many of the interviews he does. After all, his poetry and lyrics are all about self-investigation and honesty without slogans and evasions so I think it has trained him to answer as it is. I've never heard of the forest ranger idea, or that he still entertained being a defence lawyer (he did try Colombia for that) but decided that those dreams where over, it really adds another page to his biography. I actually just read Sylvia Simmons biography and she too feels like she got bamboozled in her interviews, and that he had avoided substance in favour of his warmth and charm. I don't understand that at all, to me he answers everything at length! Great interview!

[@styxcreek]

Thanks for sharing. You asked some great questions. Love the ending.

[@katiecannon8186]

Such a nice, thoughtful interviewer. Thanks Matt. Hope your life is well and your hair has changed 😉

[@robbiepeterh]

His voice is so deep and smooth.

[@OzerBergman]

"The tomb of the unknown record" -- this is why he never sold as well in the USA. A shame -- for Americans.

[@cherlmedley9909]

Your songs they come until later but when they came we loved them and still do we loved you and still do and still like your songs

[@eisteachbhinn]

‘a lot of people appear to be in trouble’ ~ human suffering, the ancient dilemma. LC’s insights of living through life are valuable teachings, should we care to truly listen. Grateful for this recording 🙏🏻❤️

[@mattzimbel8240]

Yes that was a line that stuck out for me too. Remember this is 1988!

[@eisteachbhinn]

@@mattzimbel8240 .. thanks for posting the interview and for your feedback.

[@eisteachbhinn]

@@mattzimbel8240 ... listening to it again this evening (6th Nov). You interviewed him really well. Apart from asking great questions, I liked that you asked if he was enjoying himself, I liked that you shared a good laugh and that knock on the door was perfect timing!

[@marywhite6672]

That you Matt for your wonderful interview. Especially the kudos to Jennifer Warnes. Famous Blue Raincoat is one of my favorites. Don't worry 80s hair don't care!

[@manonlane5522]

Mary White was

[@andreewert1142]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKXTeoSfeZ6nfs0..it s a wonderful lie...the movie

[@mattzimbel8240]

Thanks Mary!

[@mariacahill5226]

RIP LEONARD ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@pauljones5066]

Great interview, man, respect.

[@Shelley550]

Ģreat interview, he's always so open ~ l can't believe they knocked on the door!

[@anderssolberg6594]

Great interviewer! loved it

[@mattzimbel8240]

Thank you very much Anders!

[@garysergeant9086]

What a lovely interview

[@mattzimbel8240]

Thank you Gary it was a pleasure to meet Leonard and 4 years later I got to play a couple of shows with him.

[@ShahyarGhanbari]

Thanks a lot......We MISS the MAESTRO too........

[@irishelk3]

The legend.

[@lesleylofthouse276]

Shahyar Ghanbari -Wonderful wordsmith- always makes me ponder his clever and deep lyrics .Rest in peace Mr Cohen .

[@arthousefilms]

Thanks so much for this!! Incredible. Your questions are excellent! Exactly what I wanted to learn about him!

[@andreewert1142]

RIP Leonard Cohen ..your spirit guides me..we are all proud of you back here in Montreal..but you probably read my posts up in Heaven...lol

[@MRbeqa100]

True gentle man

[@cameliadumitru1473]

My angel,Leonard

[@fiorellafenati5395]

yes, L:C " he was so charming,

[@foljs5858]

Antony Bourdain of music

[@eileenlohrer5876]

I don't know him yet I miss him 💞

[@maxsmart99]

💯💯💯💯💯💯

[@69Mucci]

I find Leonard to be hilarious

[@moondancer9066]

I'm North American and I instantly fell in love with "I'm your Man"

[@permanentkick]

What was the date of the interview? November 1988 by chance?

[@MrField2005]

Bad interviewer, but good interviewee

[@MahanFarzad]

hmm... he looks sad

[@MariaWestworth]

Bit serious here

[@growingmelancholy8374]

it is sad that leonard cohen could never achieve what most of us have achieved

[@deadgames6251]

what’s that?

[@growingmelancholy8374]

@@deadgames6251 Being beautiful losers

[@ilwayeebstay1080]

Anthony M nice!

[@sr.cosmos4543]

What sick man

[@gushutchinson8758]

Some pretty dumb questions..potentially awkward but the ever polite Leonard resists saying anything hurtful. Leonard has plenty of interesting things to say without needing any prompting .

[@mattzimbel5079]

Gus, That's why they call it the "idiot box"! all the best mz