To commemorate Leonard Cohens 75th birthday and his song Chelsea Hotel 2, tender memories of his love for Janis Joplin, a gilded plaque was raised on the front of Manhattan's famed Chelsea Hotel, where Leonard and Janis used to live. 300 members of the Leonard Cohen forum contributed to fund this plaque, and some of them assembled at the Chelsea on October 23, 2009 to unveil it, to meet each other, and to take photographs.
Included in this video are Cohenist Dick Straub, who intiated the plaque project, his wife Linda, Leonard's vibrant sister Esther, Leonard's manager, Robert Kory, John Lissauer, his producer, Dylan biographer and Cohen liner notes author, Larry Ratso Sloman, the new manager of the Chelsea, David Elder, who hosted the event and supplied the buffet.
The Chelsea is a landmark at 222 W.23 st in Manhattan, once known for its bohemian atmosphere and roster of famous artists who have passed through.