Cohen's Isle of the Wight.

The Isle of the Wight was a festival held in late August of 1970. The festival is argued by many to have been the largest musical festival of its time, bigger than Woodstock in terms of Attendance. 1970 was an important year for the festival, particularly in regards to the weather, the fact that the festival was held a year after Woodstock, and the notion that the festival would not be held again at that location for over 30 years after 1970.  The wind blew across the island for most days of the 1970 festival, carrying the sound across the audience and away from the listener’s ears. Transportation to the island was unorganized and semi-disastrous considering that 500,000 people were trying to get to an island on which only 100,000 people lived.  Due to political and logistical problems, the festial was proclaimed “free” due to its failure to turn a profit. Artists like Jimi Hendrix, Joni Mitchell, Lighthouse, Procol Harum, The Who, The Doors, Kris Kristofferson, and of course Leonard Cohen all played sets at some point during the 4 day festival.

            Leonard Cohen, backed by his band The Army, performed an incredibly well received set on the final night of the concert, following the performances of Jimi Hendrix and John Baez. Suzanne’s recording can be found on the film “Message of Love.” The rest of the set is found on his album “Live at the Isle of Wight 1970.”