The saga of Leonard Cohen and Kelley Lynch is complex, marked by a deeply personal relationship that unraveled into legal disputes and public allegations. Adding to this story is Ann Diamond, an author and former acquaintance of Cohen, who offered her unique perspective on the turmoil between Cohen and Lynch. Through her observations, Diamond not only sheds light on the intricate dynamics at play but also paints a picture of Cohen that contrasts sharply with his public persona.
Ann Diamond's Perspective: Ann Diamond, who knew Cohen during a pivotal period of his life, has summarized what she witnessed and heard from Lynch. She presents an image of Cohen as a man driven by contradictory impulses: an iconic poet and spiritual seeker on one hand, and a controlling figure seeking to maintain power over those in his inner circle on the other. Diamond's insight into Cohen's behavior provides a window into his private world that many of his admirers might find surprising.
In her letter to her publisher, Simon, Diamond reflects on the stories that were told about her—many of which she later discovered Cohen had propagated.
According to Kelley Lynch, Cohen portrayed Diamond as obsessed with him, spinning a narrative that she followed him from Greece to California, attempting to be a part of his life under false pretenses. These stories, which Cohen shared not only with Diamond's acquaintances but also the media, played into a broader campaign to control and marginalize those who challenged his authority.
Diamond describes the atmosphere surrounding Cohen as "cult-like," with loyal followers who treated him as the leader of a secret society. These followers, Diamond notes, acted as spies, bodyguards, and informers, helping Cohen maintain an environment of secrecy and loyalty. She also details Cohen's alleged practice of turning against his friends, spreading gossip about them, and wielding control in subtle yet damaging ways.
Ann Diamond’s Observations on Cohen: Diamond's observations, which Lynch confirmed through her two-decade-long experience with Cohen, depict a man whose darker side contrasted with his public image: A micro-manager employing a network of spies and informers who worked for money, favors, or the sheer joy of belonging.
A gossip who often turned against his friends, constantly slandering them in private. A narcissist obsessed with polishing his image as an enlightened artist and gifted poet.
Deep envy for those more successful in the music industry, such as Bob Dylan or Phil Spector.
A recovering alcoholic addicted to prescription methamphetamines - "not for happiness."
A megalomaniac who believed he "wrote the Bible."
These observations were not merely Diamond's musings—they echoed Kelley Lynch's own experiences and what she witnessed firsthand. As Lynch recounts, Cohen’s efforts to control and silence her were driven by a desire to maintain power and keep her from sharing damaging truths about his financial dealings and personal behavior.
Cohen’s Ruthless Quest for Control: Throughout her legal and personal struggle, Lynch described Cohen as embodying both light and darkness—a poet who sang of redemption but could act ruthlessly to suppress dissent. Ann Diamond's insights further suggest that Cohen's quest for control extended beyond his creative work and into the lives of those around him. His ability to craft beautiful lyrics about love and spiritual awakening stood in stark contrast to the actions he took to maintain power and control over others, actions that were hidden behind the carefully polished facade of the humble artist.
For Lynch, Cohen’s fall from grace was not a myth but a lived experience, as the man who once inspired through his poetry became a figure of betrayal and deceit. The legacy of light and darkness is woven into the fabric of Cohen’s life, leaving a mark on those who came too close to the flame.
The Hidden Struggles Behind the Music: Leonard Cohen, the man who wrote Beautiful Losers while reportedly high on meth and LSD on Hydra, continued to imbibe both drugs and alcohol over the years. This indulgence caused the more negative and manipulative sides of Cohen to take prominence over his tortured and, at times, unhinged soul. His beautiful music and profound lyrics could not disguise the darker impulses that guided his actions, leading to a complex legacy where the artist's hidden struggles left a lasting impact on those around him.
Cohen was able to hide his darkness from even his closest friends, yet he once told Lynch that she was his 'soulmate,' suggesting an intimate bond that belied the turmoil and manipulation beneath the surface. This statement illustrates the complexity of their relationship—one marked by deep connection, but also his profound betrayal.
