Patti Smith on the Night That Changed Her Life
In 1976, the bicentennial year marking the celebration of the American Revolution, we were touring the album Horses, moving boldly into the future. It was a time of freedom and creativity—hanging out with William Burroughs in his Bowery bunker, watching the band Television at CBGB, and plotting uncertain futures with my brother Todd while touring America with a rock'n'roll band.
Despite our country’s deep flaws—the trauma of Vietnam, racial injustice, and sexual discrimination—we celebrated America’s cultural gifts: rock'n'roll, jazz, activism, abstract expressionism, and the Beats. I felt empowered and committed to our shared mission during those days.
Touring the West Coast
While touring the West Coast with the band—Lenny Kaye on guitar, Jay Dee Daugherty on drums, Ivan Král on bass, and Richard Sohl on keyboards—we were joined by Paul Getty and the French actress Maria Schneider.
Maria, admired for her roles in The Passenger and Last Tango in Paris, with intense black eyes and a mass of unruly dark hair, was a striking figure in a white shirt and black tie.
Paul was the grandson of one of the world’s richest oil magnates and a victim of a notorious kidnapping in Italy. William Burroughs introduced him to me, a young acolyte passing through his circle of saints.
I was quite fond of Paul, with his wild red hair, freckled skin, and eyes like mine, slightly cast.
Reflections on the Time
That era, despite its challenges, was filled with cultural energy and personal discoveries. We embraced the contradictions of America and sought our place within its complex landscape.
Author’s summary: Patti Smith recalls the transformative bicentennial year of 1976, blending vibrant cultural moments with personal experiences that shaped her artistic journey amid America’s tensions and creativity.