[This interview was originally recorded and released in 2016 on my old Travels in Music Podcast]

Sylvie Simmons is a longtime rock critic and music writer whose 2012 biography of Cohen, I’m Your Man, was the rare hotly anticipated music biography that lived up to the hype.

Written over several years with the support, if not the official endorsement of its subject, I’m Your Man is an engrossing and moving read, inspiring to Cohen fans as well as anyone who does anything creative for a living. Leonard Cohen’s 80-plus years on this planet were fascinating, occasionally tumultuous, and complex, and his biographer—herself a longtime fan—has truly honored and celebrated Cohen’s life with her magnificent biography.

In today’s episode of Humans in Love, Sylvie Simmons and I discuss her personal encounters with Cohen, what his music has meant to her and so many others, Cohen’s reputation as a ladies man, salacious Canadian journalism, and much more.

I was privileged for her to join me, and I hope you enjoy sitting in on my conversation with the author of I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen, Ms. Sylvie Simmons.

Mentioned in this episode:

  • I’m Your Man: The Life of Leonard Cohen by Sylvie Simmons (Amazon)
  • “Suzanne” by Leonard Cohen (Amazon / iTunes)
  • The Best of Leonard Cohen (Amazon / iTunes)
  • Sylvie Simmons performing “Famous Blue Raincoat” (YouTube)
  • Tom Waits interviewed by Sylvie Simmons
  • “You Are In My Arms” by Sylvie Simmons (Amazon / iTunes)
  • “Closing Time (Live)” by Leonard Cohen (Amazon / iTunes)

Learn more about Sylvie Simmons at:

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Zachary Stockill
Zachary Stockill