Patti Smith, iconic artist and poet, talks about living at the Hotel Chelsea, her relationships with William Borroughs, Sam Shepard, Allen Ginsberg, and Bob Dylan. She recalls her most mortifying live performance moment and discusses her fascination with hero worship and the influence of poetry in her artistic career.
Patti Smith's deep and lasting friendships with influential poets and musicians shaped her artistic journey.
Smith's commitment to authenticity and dedication as a performer is evident in her evolution from poetry to rock and roll.
Art has always been Patti Smith's refuge, purpose, and identity, with poetry serving as the foundation of her work.
Deep dives
Finding solace and maintaining sanity
In this podcast episode, Mark Marin reflects on the current state of the world and how individuals are dealing with the challenges brought about by the pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of finding ways to maintain one's sanity without causing harm to oneself or others. Marin encourages listeners to explore different options and be open to self-reflection and personal growth. He discusses the concept of being a mark, highlighting the need to be aware of manipulation and to strive for critical thinking.
Patty Smith and the beatnik legacy
In this episode, Marin interviews Patty Smith, an iconic musician and poet. He delves into the beatnik culture of the 1970s in New York City, where Smith was part of a creative community that included influential figures like William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg. Marin discusses how Smith embodies the beatnik legacy, drawing inspiration from poets such as Rimbaud and celebrating the raw and unfiltered expression of that era. Smith's evolution from poetry to rock and roll is also explored, highlighting her commitment to being an authentic and dedicated performer.
Reckoning with loss and celebrating friendships
Throughout the podcast episode, Marin and Smith discuss the theme of loss and the need to honor and remember loved ones. Smith shares her experiences of losing friends, such as Robert Maplethorpe, Sam Shepard, and Sandy Pearlman. She explains that writing about these individuals in her memoirs, such as 'Just Kids' and 'M Train', allows her to keep their memory alive and reflect on their impact on her life. Marin and Smith both express the value of deep and lasting friendships, which provide support, inspiration, and understanding.
Meeting Alan Ginsburg and William Burroughs
Patti Smith recounts her experiences meeting Alan Ginsburg and William Burroughs. She met Ginsburg near the Chelsea Hotel and he came to her rescue when she couldn't afford a sandwich. She formed a lifelong friendship with him. She also tried to pick up William Burroughs but was turned down. However, they also became great friends who supported her during a difficult time in her life.
The Role of Poetry and Art in Patti Smith's Life
Patti Smith discusses how being an artist has always been her calling. She expresses her belief in the power and significance of art, which has given her refuge and purpose, especially during challenging times. Smith recognizes the sacrifice and self-orientation that comes with being an artist, but she embraces it as an integral part of her identity. She also reflects on poetry being the genesis of her work and how its influence still permeates her writing, even as she explores other forms of prose.
Patti Smith has been at the vanguard of art, poetry, rock and roll, and other forms of self-expression since the 1960s. But this talk with Marc happens to be her very first one-on-one conversation done over Zoom. They talk about Patti's days living at the Hotel Chelsea, carrying on the legacy of the Beat Generation, and forming life-changing relationships with William Borroughs, Sam Shepard, Allen Ginsberg, and Bob Dylan, among others. Patti also recalls the most mortifying live performance moment of her career, which happened for all the world to see.
