All depends on when he finally makes the ballot.....of course, we'll hear endless complaints from newspaper writers asking "why aren't Genesis or Kiss in yet?"

*sigh*

Posted by Casper on Wednesday, 01.17.07 @ 16:14pm

Mr. Cohen is the male Patti Smith, put him in

Posted by Chalkie on Wednesday, 08.29.07 @ 19:32pm

Mr. Cohen is the male Patti Smith

if Patti Smith can get in Leonard Cohen sure as hell can get in

Posted by danny on Friday, 09.28.07 @ 08:02am

I'm pumped that Cohen has been nominated this year, and I'll be elated if he gets elected. I see him as the best candidate after the Beasties and Madonna. I mean, I like him better but I understand why they would get in first. I've got beef with the "Essential Album" pick on this page though, "The Songs of Leonard Cohen" is not only his TRUE essential album but an essential album of the 1960's. It revolutionized songwriting of all genres, ESPECIALLY rock.

Posted by Chalkie on Friday, 09.28.07 @ 12:22pm

I am trying to be fair and listening to all the great artists of 60's and 70's and 80's so I can not just romanticise here , but Leonard Cohen not in Hall of Fame is just not for real. He has influenced as many song writers and singers as Lenny Bruce influenced comedians, and actually much more. His music can take more than one listen so I will give his critics that, but let him grow on you and you are hooked and loyal beyond hope. World wide he is already so acclaimed so how about we unite with our Brothers and Sisters around the world and show them we know they were right, and we are not too big to admit it.
Thank you Leonard for continuing to be so humble and unassuming, I only hope i can be the same and your listeners also.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2008 !!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by ROn on Sunday, 10.7.07 @ 08:22am

Cohen Rocks, "Everybody Knows" he should be in.

Posted by Jim on Thursday, 10.11.07 @ 14:00pm

I was shocked when I saw this, for I would have just assumed he was already in!. I also agree with previous posters that _Songs of Love and Hate_ is not the essential album. The most important Cohen album is _The Songs of Leonard Cohen_

Posted by david_ on Sunday, 12.2.07 @ 09:06am

TRUST ME, If U2 has anything to do with, Leonard Cohen will get inducted just so BONO can give another one of his eloquent induction speeches for his idols!

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 12.6.07 @ 06:50am

THE BIG NAMES ON THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

Ahmet Ertegun - Atlantic Records Founder and Chairman; Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation Founder (Now deceased)
Suzan Evans - Lawyer and Executive Director of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
Jann Wenner - Rolling Stone Magazine Founder, Editor and Publisher
Jon Landau - Music Critic, Manager, Record Producer, Chairman of the Nominating Committee
Joel Peresman - President and Cheif Executive Officer of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
Terry Stewart - President and Cheif Executive Officer of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum
Seymour Stein - Cofounder and Chairman of Sire Records
Frank Barsalona - Concert Promoter; Founder of Premier Talent
Anthony DeCurtis - Music Critic and Writer for Rolling Stone Magazine; Phd. English Literature
John Sykes - President of MTV and VH1 Networks
Joe Levy - Rolling Stone Magazine Executive Editor
Lenny Kaye - Patti Smith Guitarist
Robbie Robertson - The Band
Paul Shaffer - Late Show with David Letterman, Bandleader

Robbie Robertson and Paul Shaffer are Canadians. They will definitely vote for Leonard Cohen!

Anthony DeCurtis wrote the notes in the booklets for the new remastered editions of Leonard Cohen's albums.

There is absolutely no way that the elder members on the Rock Hall voting committee are going to induct Chic, Beastie Boys and Afrika Bambaataa before Leonard Cohen. Which leaves us with:

01. The Ventures
02. The Dave Clark Five
03. Leonard Cohen
04. John Mellencamp
05. Donna Summer
06. Madonna

NOW PICK 5!!

Leonard Cohen was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1991.

Recently there has been a sudden reinterest in everything Leonard Cohen!! Leonard Cohen was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006. He was nominated for the 2007 U.S. Songwriters Hall of Fame, but lost! All of his albums are being remastered. Rollingstone has always loved Leonard Cohen. His new book of poetry, "Book of Longing" was a number 1 seller. To top it all off, there was a film produced in 2006 that played at the Sundance Theatres, celebrating Leonard Cohen and his music, Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man.

I really hope 2008 is the year for him! I can't wait any longer!

Posted by Roy on Friday, 12.7.07 @ 19:13pm

Congrats to Leonard Cohen, a well deserved honor .

Posted by danny on Thursday, 12.13.07 @ 14:33pm

congrats to the inductees, however i am extremely upset that Donna Summer was not inducted. She truly paved the way for Madonna and all those new artists pop/dance genre. Not happy about this!!!

Posted by ron on Friday, 12.14.07 @ 09:30am

LEONARD COHEN

THREE DOWN:

Inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in 1991
Inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2006
Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2008

AND ONE TO GO:

Inducted into the U.S. Songwriters Hall of Fame in 20??

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 01.8.08 @ 10:01am

Well, there's also the UK Music Hall of Fame- but that seems defunct now- tho there's that R&R HOF that may be coming.

ron, I agree that Donna Summer should be in- but, let's not overlook not only Madonna's musical reverence (she's a pretty acclaimed act), but also her historical and cultural importance, thanks to what she did in her music (albums, videos, stage). She really couldn't be denied her first year of eligibility.

Posted by JR on Saturday, 01.19.08 @ 21:28pm

I've been playing rock guitar for 40 years and feel like I've heard it all. I guess I just don't get it. I mean....why??

Posted by Terry on Sunday, 01.27.08 @ 10:53am

LEONARD COHEN | HALLS OF FAME BLOG

http://leonardcohenhallsoffame.blogspot.com/

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 02.20.08 @ 21:06pm

Hey LEONARD COHEN...i met you back about 1994 or so on teh street of manhattan uptown--you stopped to talk and were very cool with me and i wont forget that,strangely and i'm not making this up before i met you THAT SAME DAY david fricke from rolling stone magazine actually walked up to me and got in my face and was rude and was bad mouthing me--telling me this and that and i'll never be anything(no joke-and no i'm not making this up--he was saying like a get a job type stuff to me(which i did have at the time--it was my day off from work etc...But the fact that you(Leonard Cohen) are one of just a handful of cool artists(and celebrities)that i have met and truly shows your a true champion of the human race...(so far anyways...if we meet again and you curse me out then your off my list haha)Thanks Leonard for being cool and i wish i had your albums on me to get signed...anyways peace and congrads...good work...well done..you are the folk master of sorts..DAN BARCAN...NEW JERSEY,USA1...

Posted by DAN BARCAN on Sunday, 03.2.08 @ 11:39am

Ok...Who the hell is Leonard Cohen. Will someone explain to me what he has done. Everyone talks about his greatness without identifying the songs or style that makes him great. I can't think of a single song he has done, and neither can anybody I ask. Ah...well, I guess he is the perfect male counterpart to the other Canadian no-name, Joni Mitchell. Come on folks, these people are not even close to what and who James Taylor is.

Posted by Jake on Saturday, 03.22.08 @ 23:44pm

Hey brother jake(i'm singing the song by the band"free"called "my brother jake",,Hey i can actually think of a song the whole world would know by leonard cohen--the song is called "the non gentile holding that guitar scouting out words fro near and far"Hey that was a huge big hit for leonard in the 1840's jake and jake i'm sure you will remember it once you hear it!anyways asta la alta vista,or tommy lasorda--peace,DAN BARCAN...IN THE GENTILE HOUSE!DB...

Posted by dan barcan on Thursday, 04.10.08 @ 14:50pm

...AND NOW FOR THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME 2007, 2008 AND 2009 INDUCTEES' CONNECTIONS TO LEONARD COHEN!

2007 INDUCTEES
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Patti Smith
R.E.M.
The Ronettes
Van Halen

2008 INDUCTEES
Leonard Cohen
John Mellencamp
Madonna
The Dave Clark Five
The Ventures
Little Walter
Kenny Gamble
Leon Huff

2009 NOMINEES
War
Chic
RUN-D.M.C.
Jeff Beck
Metallica
The Stooges
Bobby Womack
Wanda Jackson
Little Anthony and the Imperials
______________________________

THE CONNECTIONS!

01. The Ronettes, who were inducted in 2007, and Leonard Cohen, who was inducted in 2008, have both worked with producer Phil Spector.

02. R.E.M., who were inducted in 2007, performed Leonard Cohen's "First We Take Manhatten" on the 1991 Leonard Cohen tribute album, I'm Your Fan. R.E.M. is also mentioned in Leonard Cohen's Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame biography and his Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame biography.

03. Leonard Cohen and The Dave Clark Five both have songs called "Everybody Knows." The Dave Clark Five have two of them!: Everybody Knows and Everybody Knows (I Still Love You).

04. The Stooges performed at the 2008 Rock Hall Ceremony. Leonard Cohen watched. Oh yeah, Leonard was inducted in 2008. Iggy Pop and Leonard Cohen hung out in the studio and talked recently.

I guess that's it! Let us know if you know any other connections between Leonard Cohen and any of the 2007, 2008 or 2009 inductees!

Posted by Roy on Monday, 09.22.08 @ 14:52pm

Roy

Can you please translate this.

Posted by Dameon on Monday, 09.22.08 @ 17:00pm

http://leonardcohenthehallsoffame.blogspot.com/

LEONARD COHEN | HALLS OF FAME
The Official Halls of Fame Biographies of Leonard Cohen (1991-20??)

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 10.18.08 @ 12:21pm

Listening to one of Cohen's live concert albums. Hey you know !!! This guys music is pretty decent.

Posted by Joe-Skee on Friday, 11.28.08 @ 10:18am

http://leonardcohenhallsoffame.blogspot.com

LEONARD COHEN | HALLS OF FAME
The Official Halls of Fame Biographies of Leonard Cohen

Posted by Roy on Friday, 11.28.08 @ 13:04pm

I disagree with him being in. Frank Sinatra is more rock and roll than Leonard Cohen. He's a great lyricist but this isn't the Music Hall of Fame, it's the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Posted by SSR on Monday, 01.26.09 @ 08:53am

Give me a Leonard Cohen afterworld so I can sigh eternally.

-Kurt Cobain

Posted by Roy on Monday, 01.26.09 @ 15:02pm

How the hell did he get in? Frank Sinatra's more Rock and Roll than Leonard Cohen.

Posted by SSR on Tuesday, 03.24.09 @ 11:38am

http://leonardcohenhallsoffame.blogspot.com

This is how Leonard Cohen goy in!

Posted by Roy on Tuesday, 03.24.09 @ 13:16pm

How the hell did he get in? Frank Sinatra's more Rock and Roll than Leonard Cohen.

Posted by SSR on Tuesday, 03.24.09 @ 11:38am

one of the best writers of our time Folk with a soul and pasion .
Many rock artist did his stuff from Joe Cocker Neil Diamond to 2u.. That is why the song writers writer..We are blessed he is with us..

Posted by mrxyz on Tuesday, 03.24.09 @ 13:18pm

Leonard Cohen? Are you frikkin kidding me? Frank Sinatra is more Rock and Roll than Leonard Cohen. That breaks my heart. What has he ever done to rock and roll.

Posted by SSR on Tuesday, 06.30.09 @ 13:45pm

SSR,

give it a rest.

Posted by Chalkie on Tuesday, 06.30.09 @ 17:18pm

SSR, Leonard was originally a folk artist, which alone puts him in good standing, given the inductions of Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell, not to mention Pete Seeger as an Early Influence. He's one of the best, most poetic, singer/songwriters of that entire scene. As far as songs that actually were bread'n'butter type rock'n'roll, I submit to you: "The Future," "Never Any Good" (which sounds like it could have been a solo Ringo Starr song), "Woke Up This Morning," and "Ain't No Cure For Love," the last of which has a very old school, Drifters-type rock'n'roll feel to it.

Posted by Philip on Tuesday, 06.30.09 @ 19:21pm

http://www.leonardcohenhallsoffame.com

LEONARD COHEN | HALLS OF FAME

The Official Halls of Fame Biographies of Leonard Cohen (1991-20??)

Posted by Roy on Wednesday, 07.1.09 @ 16:41pm

It's the ROCK and ROLL HALL OF FAME. Forget Sinatra, you might as well put in Rod McEwen. When this guy is in and Mitch Ryder, Kiss, the Doobies, Rush, and the Guess Who aren't, they need to change the name to Hall of Fame of Who You Know.

Posted by Randy on Wednesday, 07.1.09 @ 17:38pm

Give Me A Leonard Cohen Afterworld So I Can Sigh Eternally

--Kurt Cobain, Pennyroyal Tea

Was Kurt Cobain referring to the fact that Leonard Cohen doesn't really sing, but actually sighs his songs, or was he implying that he loves Leonard Cohen's music so much, it makes him sigh? Or maybe both perhaps?

I think he was refferring to cohen's omnipresent pessimism, which he liked and wanted to have for the eternity after he was dead. Or he was mocking such people in a way. In the retrospect, the latter seems more likely.

Posted by QUW on Sunday, 07.26.09 @ 18:51pm

A very nice man.. I have seen him perform many times and have met with him a few times... We were neighbors in Mt Baldy Cal.. I like Mr Cohen very much ..! He makes the world a better place for all.. A true, one of the few ,real Saints of our Time.

Posted by mrxyz on Sunday, 07.26.09 @ 22:29pm

From Digital Dream Door

Only cult figure Leonard Cohen has questionable achievements to warrant strong consideration.

The most unusual rock "star" of all-time, a published poet and author before beginning his musical career in his mid-30's, his style was widely praised, but not altogether widely popular. Nevertheless he was the bridge between the folk movement of the 60's and the acoustic-based singer-songwriter 70's style. Cohen is a left-field candidate who'll get support from some circles but who's achievements are far too limited to be deserving over so many artists who've yet to get in. The nomination itself should really be the limit of his recognition from the Hall.

Qualifications: 2 - Mostly Insignificant

Hundreds of candidates still waiting for a look from the Hall have legitimate reasons to be angry at the selection of Cohen, who now becomes by far the least qualified Main Performer to be inducted in the Hall's 23 years of existence. It's not that Cohen was a bad artist by any means, he was actually very unique, bringing a poet's background to the music and in the process added greatly to rock 'n' roll's eclecticism, but his tangible achievements, upon which induction for all artists should always be based, are severely lacking. He had no commercial success whatsoever, never scoring a Top 50 album or any Top 100 singles in America, and those are reasonable accomplishments to expect in order to be housed with the immortals. Failing that, a large amount of direct influence would help to offset his lack of popularity, but while Cohen is often referred to as influential in spirit the fact remains that there are no mainstream acts in the four decades since his arrival who have copied his blueprint close enough to warrant Cohen receiving ample credit here either. Being appreciated by a small hardcore group of fans and lauded by predominantly literary minded critics is nice but it does not equate to the type of objective criteria-based achievements that a Hall Of Fame must require of its inductees to be taken seriously. Cohen's election over the four nominated artists this year who failed to get in despite far superior credentials is a sad testimony to the state of affairs with the voting body who apparently ignore tangible accomplishments in favor of personal taste and their own murky perception of what exactly constitutes historical impact. Cohen is certainly worth being remembered in the annals of rock, but not worthy of being inducted as a Hall Of Fame artist based on his rather negligible career achievements.

Leonard Cohen, in particular, has been talked about as an obvious inductee since 1992. His debut album, Songs Of Leonard Cohen, was released in 1967. It's nice to see the Rock Hall catch up on a few overdue artists.

Posted by Roy on Saturday, 10.3.09 @ 05:52am

http://www.songhall.org/vote

Leonard Cohen is nominated for the 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame. Looking at this year's nominees, there seems to be something fishy going on, and it tells you something about the thought process of the nominating committee members. David Foster, Leonard Cohen, John Mellencamp, Lou Reed, Dion DiMucci, Elvis Costello and U2 are all nominated for the 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame. David Foster and Leonard Cohen are both Canadian and they both attended a ceremony in 2008 honoring a Canadian music industry person who had something to do with the early days of the Grammys. I can't remember who it was or what it was all about. It was either in California or British Columbia. Elvis Costello is a Leonard Cohen fan. Leonard Cohen and John Mellencamp were both inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2008 and both attended. Leonard Cohen and Lou Reed were both nominated for the 2007 Songwriters Hall of Fame and now they are both being nominated again for the 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame. Lou Reed gave the induction speech for Leonard Cohen at the 2008 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony. Lou Reed also gave the induction speech for Dion DiMucci, who was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1989 as Dion. Dion DiMucci is nominated for the 2010 Songwriters Hall of Fame. So four people with connections to the 2008 Rock Hall are being nominated for the 2010 Song Hall: Dion DiMucci, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen and John Mellencamp. U2 is also nominated this year. U2 are fans of Leonard Cohen and they were in the film Leonard Cohen - I'm Your Man and they performed Tower of Song with Leonard Cohen. Oh, and U2 was in the video biography for Leonard Cohen at the 2008 Rock Hall induction ceremony. So that makes it 5 connections. It's as if the Song Hall did all of this on purpose!...And if both Leonard Cohen and John Mellencamp get inducted in 2010...Wooooooooow, a repeat of the 2008 Rock Hall. Six degrees of separation.

Posted by Roy on Monday, 10.19.09 @ 06:02am

Why is Leonard Cohen on the Voting Statistics page under "Highest Fan Approval." The man's been inducted already, he shouldn't be on that list

Posted by Milestones on Wednesday, 12.16.09 @ 07:09am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugh8Xe6hX7U

Leonard Cohen being interviewed.

Posted by Roy on Monday, 01.25.10 @ 09:06am

Alright, fine. Maybe he is rock and roll. I will admit I'm the fool. The only song I knew was Hallelujah. But, nobody these days know who Leonard Cohen is. That's a factor in going into the hall of fame.

Posted by SSR on Tuesday, 02.16.10 @ 18:39pm

THE 2010 SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME

Leonard Cohen
Jackie DeShannon
David Foster
Johnny Mandel
Earth, Wind & Fire

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 02.18.10 @ 06:50am

THE 2010 SONGWRITERS HALL OF FAME

Leonard Cohen
Laura Nyro
Bob Marley
Jackie DeShannon
Earth, Wind & Fire
David Foster
Johnny Mandel
Tom Adair & Matt Dennis
Sunny Skylar
Jesse Stone

Special Awards

The Johnny Mercer Award
Phil Collins (Already inducted in 2003)

The Howie Richmond Hitmaker Award
Phil Ramone

Posted by Roy on Thursday, 04.22.10 @ 12:49pm

It's time to reflect on L Cohen's view of the future:

"There'll be the breaking of the ancient western code
Your private life will suddenly explode
There'll be phantoms, there'll be fires on the road
and the white man dancing

You'll see a woman hanging upside down
her features covered by her fallen gown
and all the lousy little poets coming round
tryin' to sound like Charlie Manson"

Posted by Darrin on Tuesday, 06.8.10 @ 10:05am