When Dylan got the Nobel Prize award last month, a friend of mine commented that maybe this will be the door kicked open for singer songwriters to get such an honour, and if so, we both agreed that next to Bob, Leonard was probably the most deserving potential recipient.
He was truly an amazing lyricist and a wonderful, unique artist. Someone I never thought I'd get to see in concert after he chose to go into a Zen monastery in the mid 90s. Unfortunately for him but fortunately for us, he was embezzled out of most of his life savings and had to start touring again in his 70's. A frequent visitor to Ireland, I got to see him 3 times between 2008-2012 - they were INCREDIBLE shows - a few friends got to meet him, and his reputation as an absolute gentleman was apparently well deserved.
Last month he left us one final album, "You Want It Darker". Its the best of all the studio records he's made since his comeback about 15 years ago.
What an apt send off....
RIP Maestro.