Living with Legends

George’s work hangs in the lobby of the Hotel Chelsea where many have admired it for years.  Last year, we had the pleasure of hearing George read his poems of life and love in the Chelsea at the Bowery Poetry Club.  Like many Chelsea residents, George was a long time member of McBurney Y until they moved to 14th St.  At left, George’s response to their move.  Living in the Hotel Chelsea since 1972 has taught George a valuable lesson: never ask Women and dogs about their age. 

What do you do? I’m an artist, author and curator of Tribal Art.
How long have you lived at the Chelsea?
Since1972. I came here directly from the Kennedy airport and never left.
What inspired you to move into the Hotel?
Whenever I divorced a wife, she kept the house for her self. Here I can live forever. It’s Stanley Bard who owns the place, not me.
Tell us about your apartment so we can all be envious.  It’s large, very comfortable and sound proof as the Jericho walls before they crumbled.
Do you think that there is a creative energy in the Hotel?  For sure as long as the guys don’t keep talking about it in the lobby.
How has living at the Chelsea affected your creative development?  It effected very positive my sales. When collectors talk about me and don’t recall my name, they refer to me as the "the guy from  the Chelsea Hotel"
What other creative people at the Chelsea or elsewhere have influenced your development?
Native art and decorative arts from different countries and periods.
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever ridden with in the elevator?
I have met many famous people in the elevators since 1972. In the Seventies we have had more time to talk to each other because the elevators used to hung/stuck between the floors very often. Alas, those good days are gone for good. I still remember my first encounter with Charles James in the mid Seventies. I made a fatal mistake when I asked him about his dog’s age. He was very upset and kept telling me how rude and insensitive I am. He never took the elevator with me again. I think he was terrified of his own age, anyhow I learned my lesson: I’d never ask women and dogs about their age, Never.
What’s the best/worst thing that has ever happened to you at the Chelsea?
The big fire in the Seventies that destroyed many of my paintings. The good thing it never happened again because I checked out of that damn studio.
Do you know if any famous folks have ever lived in your room?
Yes.  O’Neill. He wrote Morning Becomes Electra in my apartment. Also Lord Baltimore . . . My cat.
What is your prediction for how much longer the Chelsea can hold on to its Bohemian ways?
As long as there would be Bohemia, which I doubt  if such thing would exist any more in the Age of Big Bucks.

The Chelsea Girls

Danger, Love at Work
Too Hot to Handle
Too Dangerous to Love
The Chelsea Girls

Rough, Tough and Ready
Sally, Irene and Mary
Girls about Town
Romance in Manhattan

They Drive by Night
They Passed this Way
Hotel Paradiso
Their First Mistake

Thief of Hearts
The Girl with Red Hair
Sex, Lies and Videotape
The Romantic Age

She’s Out of Control
The Girl in the Hall
She wouldn’t Say No
The Thrill of It All

Dangerous When Wet
The Girl from Avenue A
Naughty but Nice
The Girl of the Golden West

Daydream Believer
The Small Town Girl
Wild and Wonderful
Between Midnight and Dawn

She’s Got Everything
The Girl Next Door
Those Eyes, That Mouth
It’s Pity She’s a Whore

Dressed to Kill
The Girl in Room 17
Too Young to Love
Too Young to Kiss

There’s That Woman Again
The Girl Downstairs
Hole in the Head
Trouble All the Way

She Wrote a Book
The Singing Fool
Third Finger, Left Hand
The Rough and the Smooth

True Heart Susie
The Girl in Overalls
A Free Soul Rosie
Beautiful but Broke

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
The Flirting Widow
Fire Down Below
Under the Red Robe

Million Dollar Baby
The Misleading Lady
True Lies Double Deals
Broken Vows

The Show Goes on
Nasty Habits
Risky Games
Pretty, Dirty Things

Kiss Me Stupid
Kiss and Tell
What’s a Nice Girl Like You
Doing in a Place Like This