Patti Smith

Patti Smith, renowned singer, poet, and memoirist, reflects on her vibrant career and personal evolution. She shares the decade-long struggle behind her latest memoir, "Bread of Angels," revealing a profound family secret uncovered through DNA testing. Smith discusses her formative influences—from literature to music—and the transformative power of blending poetry with performance. With a candid look at grief, domestic life, and her return to music, Patti inspires with her resilience and creative spirit.

In a heartfelt discussion, Patti Smith, the influential poet, musician, and author of the memoir Just Kids, shares her journey of writing about her profound connection with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. She opens up about the promise she made to him, the challenges of writing through grief, and how memory can be transformed into art. Patti delves into the energy of 1970s New York, the significance of mutual support in creativity, and her perspective on punk as a form of freedom. This conversation captures the essence of love, loss, and artistic legacy.

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, the iconic poet and singer-songwriter, reflects on her groundbreaking debut album, 'Horses,' which turns 50 this year. She shares tales from her early days in New York City, revealing how the album diverted her path from art to music. Ken Tucker provides critical insights into the album's unique sound and its impact on rock history. They also discuss the unreleased track 'Snowball,' the profound influence of Robert Mapplethorpe, and the album's mission to connect with marginalized audiences through a blend of poetry and rock.

Legendary musician, poet, and author Patti Smith joins Julia to discuss gratitude, life-changing friendships, and saying goodbye through art. They also touch on family truisms, with a hint of humor, and celebrate wise women with customized bourbon labels. The podcast wraps up with reflections on family, loss, creativity, and the impact of departed loved ones.

Patti Smith, the punk rock legend, chats with Alec Baldwin about her nonchalant attitude towards fame, her artistic journey from poetry to music, and her quirky adventures. They discuss her escape from danger with Robert Mapplethorpe, her love for 7/11 glazed doughnuts, and the influence of influential women in her life. The podcast dives into her unique path in the music industry, her rebellious childhood antics, and the artistry of songwriting.

Patti Smith, the 'godmother of punk,' renowned for her influential music and powerful memoirs like 'Just Kids,' joins Stephen for a heartfelt discussion. She reveals that her new memoir, 'Bread of Angels,' was inspired by gratitude for lost loved ones. Patti shares sage advice for young artists, emphasizing self-care and stepping away from social media negativity. She reflects on her iconic cover photo taken by Robert Mapplethorpe and how her childhood illness ignited her creativity, linking it all back to the lasting legacy of her groundbreaking album, 'Horses.'

Today we have the one and only Patti Smith on the show. Patti is the prototypical downtown, New York City artist. Her 1975 debut album Horses is credited as one of the masterpieces of its time. It also cemented her as one of rock n roll's great lyricists. But her writing extends far beyond music. Her 2010 memoir, Just Kids, won the National Book Award for its brilliant portrayal of the ‘70s bohemian art scene in New York, and Patti’s experience living in the Chelsea Hotel with the famed photographer, Robert Mapplethorpe. Today Patti publishes near-daily offerings of poems, songs and serialized fiction on her Substack newsletter. It’s a journal of sorts that she started during the solitary days of the pandemic. On today’s episode, Malcolm Gladwell talks to Patti Smith about her writing in the studio Jimi Hendrix built, Electric Lady. It was there, she tells Malcolm, that she met Hendrix in 1970—just weeks before he passed away. Patti also talks about hanging out with and writing lyrics for Janis Joplin, and she recalls the fun she had during a failed attempt to cover Adele in concert.Subscribe to Broken Record’s YouTube channel to hear all of our interviews:  https://www.youtube.com/brokenrecordpodcast and follow us on Twitter @BrokenRecordYou can also check out past episodes here: https://brokenrecordpodcast.comHear a playlist of all of our favorite Patti Smith songs HERE. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poet and Rock Icon Patti Smith plays our game about pattysmiths...fast food burger restaurants. She is joined by panelists Maeve Higgins, Hari Kondabolu and Bobcat GoldthwaitLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

As part of our summer archives series, we revisit Alec’s interview with two rock legends, Patti Smith and Peter Frampton. Alec’s conversation with Patti Smith took place before a live audience at the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, New Jersey, in December 2016. She tells Alec she was never looking for fame. Her love of poetry, art, and a desire to “do something great” motivated her to move to New York when she was 20. She chronicled her formative friendship with Robert Mapplethorpe in her best-selling memoir, Just Kids. She talks to Alec about fame, friendship, and motherhood. Peter Frampton’s double album, Frampton Comes Alive! is one of the best-selling live albums of all time, and it completely changed his life. Frampton started playing guitar before he was eight years old. He talked to Alec about his musical roots in England, playing in bands like The Preachers and The Herd, and how, at 14, the Rolling Stones’ Bill Wyman became his mentor.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.