Patti Smith - Words and Music - 2012

Patti Smith from Banga
by Eric Holland | 07/10/2012 | 1:45pm

Patti Smith from Banga

I recently traveled to the home of Columbia Records in the Sony Building on Madison avenue to visit with Patti Smith. The hallways there are filled with beautiful framed photographs of legendary Columbia artists like Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Adjacent to the door of the room where we met was one of Ms. Smith herself. I had read somewhere that she was working on a crime novel, so I brought her a gift of a Jim Thompson paperback and, as time was tight, we jumped right into conversation. 

The occasion was the release of her first album in eight years, Banga, recorded at Electric Lady Studios where Patti had recorded her very first single and — years before that — was the place where she had a memorable meeting with Jimi Hendrix. I asked Patti to recall that meeting, which she generously did before offering some insights into her new songs and creative process. Hear a digression-filled WFUV Pop Quiz as well. 

[recorded: 06/05/12]

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