Unmasking Leonard Cohen: Control, Manipulation, and a Darker Legacy

Transcript Kelley Lynch and Steven Machat Conversation: https://www.scribd.com/document/57415308/Kelley-Lynch-s-Conversation-With-Steven-Machat-Leonard-Cohen-and-Phil-Spector

Steven Machat’s recounting of his interactions with Leonard Cohen, along with Cohen's lawyer Robert Kory, offers a revealing glimpse into the tense and manipulative dynamics that surrounded Cohen's professional and personal dealings. Despite his public persona of humility and spiritual wisdom, Cohen's behind-the-scenes actions tell a different story—one marked by deception, control, and a fierce effort to protect his legacy at all costs. Let’s delve into some of the key issues Steven Machat’s experiences highlight.

Control and Manipulation: One striking instance of Cohen's manipulation is when he introduced Robert Kory as a mere "groundskeeper" to Steven Machat during a visit in 2007. Kory, it turned out, was hiding in a bedroom during this meeting, and only later emerged, lying about his role. Kory was, in fact, Cohen’s lawyer, present not just by coincidence but to spy on the conversation—highlighting Cohen’s deep fear of Steven's probing questions. This orchestrated deception paints a picture of a man determined to control every narrative around him and to ensure his interests remained protected, even if it required deceit and manipulation.

Questionable Dealings and Possessiveness: The incident involving the film Bird On A Wire further underscores Cohen's possessiveness and manipulation. When Steven requested the return of the film, Cohen refused, stating he kept it to prevent Avril Giacobbi from accessing it. This kind of possessiveness—holding onto materials that rightfully belonged to others—is part of a broader pattern of selfish behavior that starkly contrasts Cohen's image as a wise and humble artist. Cohen's reluctance to return rights or materials to Steven and his father Marty Machat demonstrates his willingness to exploit and maintain control over assets that were not entirely his.

Attempts to Suppress Truth: Steven recounts an exchange where Robert Kory told him, "We can stop this book," referring to Steven's book Gods, Gangsters, and Honour. This statement points to an active effort by Cohen and Kory to control or suppress narratives they perceived as damaging. The fact that Kory was willing to negotiate the suppression of the book indicates the lengths to which Cohen and his team were willing to go to protect his public image and ensure their version of the story remained unchallenged.

Misogyny and Power Dynamics: The issue of misogyny also arises in Steven’s accounts. He notes that Cohen and Kory "fuck over women" and refers to them as misogynists. This aligns with reports from others who knew Cohen—including Ann Diamond and Kelley Lynch—who have described his manipulative and sometimes abusive relationships with women. In Kelley Lynch’s case, Cohen used legal and financial tools to suppress her, damaging her reputation and placing her in a vulnerable position. The power dynamics here reveal a side of Cohen that sharply contrasts with the enlightened, spiritual persona he presented to the world.

Paranoia and Conspiracy Theories: Cohen's paranoia is another significant aspect highlighted by Steven's account. Cohen suspected that Steven might be in a conspiracy with Kelley Lynch, indicating a deep-seated fear of losing control over his carefully curated image and financial interests. This paranoia drove Cohen to take aggressive actions toward Lynch, using the legal system to portray her as an antagonist and prevent her from speaking out. Cohen’s behavior here is not indicative of someone at peace but rather someone in constant fear of exposure.

Financial Misconduct and Lack of Transparency: Steven and Kelley Lynch discussed several instances of Cohen's financial misconduct, involving everything from bearer bonds to royalties from Death of a Ladies Man. Cohen allegedly sold Phil Spector’s masters to Sony without permission and kept royalties meant for Spector. These actions were not only unethical but also shrouded in secrecy, with allegations of offshore accounts and misappropriated funds that contradict Cohen’s public portrayal as a struggling artist uninterested in wealth.

Paranoia and Conspiracy Theories: The narrative presented by Cohen often sought to depict others as threats, and his use of manipulative tactics, legal pressure, and attempts to silence critics speaks to a person desperately trying to maintain power over his narrative and public image. Lynch, being portrayed as the antagonist, suffered the consequences of Cohen's fears, having her reputation and livelihood targeted. This behavior reveals a side of Cohen that starkly contrasts with the spiritual and peaceful image he cultivated in the public eye.

A Complicated Legacy - Kelley and Steven: In summary, the exchanges between Kelley Lynch and Steven Machat reveal Leonard Cohen as someone deeply concerned with maintaining control—over his image, his finances, and the people in his life. The machinations involving Robert Kory, the deceptive handling of film rights, and the allegations of misogyny and suppression of dissent all indicate a darker, more calculating side to Cohen. This complicates the narrative of Cohen as the insightful, soulful artist beloved by his fans. Instead, it exposes a man who could be ruthless in protecting his interests and legacy, regardless of the impact on those around him.

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