Patti Smith on the One Desire That Lasts Forever
From The Ezra Klein Show
Patti Smith reflects on her artistic journey and the pursuit of meaningful expression in her life and work, as illustrated in her memoir *Just Kids*, which captures the vibrant New York art scene of the 60s and 70s. Her latest book, *Bread of Angels*, delves deeper into her personal experiences, revealing the emotional depth and texture of her world while she continues to honor her legacy through tours and writing.
Key Takeaways
- Patti Smith: A punk pioneer with a turtle's wisdom - who knew tortoises inspired such a shamanistic journey?
- Just Kids captures 60s NYC art fever; readers feel what moments meant rather than mere descriptions.
- Patti Smith's improvisation roots: Bridging poetry and punk, channeling empathy to fuel artistic fire.
- Scarlet fever survivors unite - Patti and Burroughs credit infectious intensity as creative consciousness fuel.
- From Chelsea Hotel chats to Substack essays, Smith's curiosity keeps her fiercely relevant and vibrant.
Mentioned in This Episode
- Patti Smith (person)
- William Burroughs (person)
- Museum of Art in Philadelphia (location)
- Elizabeth Street Gardens (location)
- South Jersey (location)
- Fox's Book of Martyrs (book)
- Jim Morrison (person)
- Olivier & Alice Picasso (person)
- Substack (company)
- Horses (product)
- Pan's Labyrinth (concept)
- Robert Burns (person)
- CBGB's (company)
- Lindberg baby kidnapping (concept)
- Bible (book)
- Madrid (location)
- ufology (concept)
- Bible school (company)
- John Singer sergeants (person)
- medigleanis (person)