Patti Smith, the iconic poet and musician, celebrated her new memoir, 'Bread of Angels,' with an intimate evening of songs and stories at Town Hall in Manhattan on November 4. The event coincided with Election Night, adding a unique backdrop to the celebration of her latest work.
Smith captivated the audience with stripped-down acoustic performances of her classic songs, interspersed with readings and personal anecdotes from her life and the new book. She transformed the historic venue into a personal living room, sharing reflections on her past, her creative process, and the people who shaped her journey.
Key Takeaways
- Patti Smith launched her new memoir, 'Bread of Angels,' at a special event in New York City.
- The evening featured acoustic performances of her classic songs and readings from the book.
- Smith shared personal stories about her childhood, her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe and Fred 'Sonic' Smith, and her experiences with grief.
- She reflected on her creative process and the inspiration behind her iconic songs like 'Dancing Barefoot' and 'Because the Night.'
- The event also marked the birthdays of Robert Mapplethorpe and the passing of Fred 'Sonic' Smith, adding a layer of remembrance.
An Evening of Remembrance and Celebration
Smith opened the night by acknowledging the significance of November 4, not just as Election Day, but also for personal reasons. It marked the birthday of her longtime friend, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, a central figure in her acclaimed memoir 'Just Kids.' The date also held a poignant memory as the passing day of her beloved husband, Fred 'Sonic' Smith, the guitarist for MC5.
"I'm very happy that we're all here together for a very auspicious day," Smith told the crowd. "A very special day. Out in the world, of course, it's Election Day — but also within our little world, where we're just sorta independent from the rest of the world, just for a little while." She emphasized the blend of celebration and remembrance that characterized the evening.
Did You Know?
Patti Smith's memoir 'Just Kids' won the National Book Award in 2010, chronicling her relationship with artist Robert Mapplethorpe in 1970s New York City.
Unveiling 'Bread of Angels'
'Bread of Angels' delves into Smith's childhood, highlighting her close bond with her siblings and her early adventures in New York City. The memoir explores how she merged her poetry with rock and roll during the punk explosion of the 1970s. However, a significant portion of the book focuses on her life after leaving rock stardom in 1980 to build a new life in Michigan with Fred 'Sonic' Smith.
According to her account, she and Fred were rarely apart during their 14 years of marriage, with the exception of a few hours spent in the hospital for the births of their two children. The heart of 'Bread of Angels' is dedicated to her experiences with grief, detailing the deaths of her husband, parents, brother, and several friends.
The Artist's Journey
Patti Smith's career spans decades, marked by her poetic lyrics, raw performance style, and influential albums like 'Horses.' She is often called the 'Godmother of Punk' for her pioneering role in the genre. Her work consistently explores themes of art, identity, love, loss, and social commentary.
Stories of Loss and Unexpected Comfort
The memoir recounts touching episodes of support during her periods of profound loss. After being widowed at 47, Smith received a phone call from an unexpected source: Michael Stipe of R.E.M. He called to console her on her first Valentine's Day alone, offering to be her valentine, a gesture he admitted was made while "somewhat intoxicated."
Another powerful story involved Bruce Springsteen cheering up her bereaved 12-year-old son. Springsteen took him for his first motorcycle ride, fulfilling a fatherly promise that Fred Smith did not live long enough to keep. These anecdotes underscore the deep connections Smith forged within the music community and the profound impact of human kindness during difficult times.
"It's a day of celebration and remembrance and knowing that I have the privilege of loving these two wonderful men."
The Craft of Writing and Music
Smith, ever the storyteller, also discussed her writing process for 'Bread of Angels.' She revealed a superstitious approach to her work, often wearing the same clothes while writing. "I'm a superstitious kind of writer," she explained. "And I tend to wear the same thing. I wore this old Electric Lady T-shirt through writing the whole book, in many countries of the world, and these same dungarees and my old writer jacket. But I would like to say that I DID wash my hair today." This lighthearted remark brought laughter from the audience.
She brought her daughter, Jesse, to the stage to play piano as Smith read from the book, sharing a meditation on Emily Dickinson. Later, her longtime bandmates, Lenny Kaye and Tony Shanahan, joined her for acoustic renditions of "Ghost Dance," her 1978 lament for the Hopi tribe, and the classic "Because the Night."
Behind the Hits: "Because the Night" and "Dancing Barefoot"
Smith shared the fascinating origin of "Because the Night." She recalled writing the lyrics while waiting desperately for Fred Smith to call her. Her producer, Jimmy Iovine, had given her a tape of a Bruce Springsteen song while she was recording her 'Easter' album. Initially resistant to using outside material, she changed her mind after hearing the melody. "I wanted to write my own songs and I had this fucking hit staring me in my face!" she quipped.
The highlight of the night came with a hushed performance of "Dancing Barefoot," her powerful 1979 song from the album 'Wave.' Smith explained her inspiration for the song came from Delacroix's painting of Mary Magdalene gazing at the crucified Christ. She kept a postcard of the painting in her guitar case for inspiration until she and Ivan Kral wrote the tune together.
"This song has many levels, but essentially it was a love song to Fred," Smith stated. She envisioned herself and Fred in another realm, with him as the hero and her as the heroine. She recounted a humorous but telling anecdote about her record company trying to change the word "heroine," fearing it would be interpreted as a drug reference. "Just a little window of how tough it was to be a girl in the Seventies," she remarked with a laugh, noting, "I won the argument but lost the radio play."
- Set List Highlights:
- "Ghost Dance"
- "Dancing Barefoot"
- "Because the Night"
- "Peaceable Kingdom" / "People Have the Power"
Looking Ahead: 'Horses' 50th Anniversary
Smith also discussed her upcoming live shows commemorating the 50th anniversary of her seminal 1975 debut album, 'Horses.' She expressed her ability to still connect with the younger self who wrote those songs. "I can still access the part of me who wrote those things," she said. "I can't say that I want to stay there — because I've evolved — but I still can comprehend the energy."
She reflected on the album's climactic fantasy, "Land," describing it as a "semi-apocalyptic journey of the hero Johnny." Smith observed how the concerns Johnny faced 50 years ago seem minor compared to today's global challenges. "The world is complete fodder for the dark adventures of Johnny," she concluded, highlighting the evolving relevance of her work.
Cultural Impact
Patti Smith's debut album 'Horses' is widely considered one of the most important and influential albums in rock history, blending poetry, punk, and rock and roll.
The evening concluded with a festive sing-along. Smith led the crowd in a rendition of "Happy Birthday" for Robert Mapplethorpe, followed by a rousing performance of "People Have the Power." She had performed parts of the song earlier, but ensured the audience left with a full, communal experience, turning it into an Election Night anthem. This moment resonated deeply, especially as the city later celebrated a mayoral victory speech that quoted Eugene Debs, making Smith's message of collective power feel prophetic.