Patti Smith is one of the main figure of the NYC scene since the late 60’s. She spent the early ’70s painting, writing, and performing when she was a member of the St. Mark’s Poetry Project. Her music belongs now to history. Since yesterday, she has a book out, Just Kids. Her first book of prose, where she tells, for the first time, what was her experience of beeing in NYC with her best friend the photographer Robert Mappletorpe, hanging out at Chelsea Hotel. The book is about two kids committed to create, fueled by their mutual dreams and drives and who made and respected the pact to take care of each. Therefore, Just kids is also a NYC anthem. RB
Just Kids, From Brooklyn to the Chelsea Hotel, a life of art and friendship/Harper Collins
1 response so far ↓
1 Records Lover // Jan 21, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Nice to see some musical related topics again. I do as well admire Patti Smith and if it were not from your fellow countrymen in France – where she still enjoys some well deserved fame – or fans like R.E.M., U2 and a few others she would have been forgotten stateside. Patti may not be a real poet but her lyrics are poetic and, although not a classic singer “per se”, she sings them with an unbelievable conviction that has rarely been equalled. Mapplethorpe’s influenced her greatly in her NY formative years – both artistically and romantically (yes there were not just simple friends) – and these photos may not be as imaginatively perverse (his “flowers” series are brilliant) as his later work but I still look forward to reading this book. Thanks. RL
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