JUST KIDS

Just finished this wonderful memoir by Patti Smith.  She brought me back to my NYC haunts as a young college student :  St. Mark's Place, Max's Kansas City, Electric Circus, Filmore East, 8th Street. Bleecker St, CBGB, Chelsea Hotel, lofts on the Bowery and Aves A,B,C,D before they were gentrified and up-scaled and turned into wanna be lofts.She spoke personally and warmly of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Sam Shepard, Candy Darling, the artists and musicians of the 60's and 70's who went on to make dramatic changes in the culture.   What a brave young woman who pursued her creativity passionately and pursued art for art's sake.   She  was fearless about living without the basic comfort of home, security.  Her relationship with Mapplethorpe and her travels to Paris to pursue her favorite poet, musician are enviable.  While she lost her husband Fred Sonic Smith at an early age she continued to grow  as a song writer and poet and artist. She has two successful musician kids. Now that's an accomplishment! Hats off to this 64y.o. woman who survived an era where so many died. I loved being reminded of that creative and scary era.  I loved being reminded  she brought us BECAUSE THE NIGHT.

YouTube - Patti Smith's "Because the Night"