Patti Smith on the Night That Changed Her Life
In 1976, the bicentennial year marking the celebration of the American Revolution, we were touring Horses, charging boldly into the future. It was a time of freedom and exploration—spending time with William Burroughs in his Bowery bunker, watching Television at CBGB, plotting a chaotic destiny with my brother Todd, and traveling across America with a rock ’n’ roll band.
Our country faced terrible challenges: the shame of Vietnam, racial inequality, and sexual discrimination. Yet we celebrated America’s cultural achievements—rock ’n’ roll, jazz, activism, abstract expressionism, and the Beats. I felt empowered and deeply believed in our mission.
Touring Along the West Coast
During our west coast tour, the band consisted of 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, had striking black eyes and a wild mass of dark hair, often seen in a white shirt and black tie like a mirror image.
Paul was the grandson of one of the world’s richest oil magnates and a survivor of a notorious kidnapping attempt in Italy. William Burroughs had introduced him to me, a pale young admirer passing through his circle of saints.
I grew quite fond of Paul, with his fiery red hair, freckled complexion, and eyes similar to mine, slightly turned.
Author's Summary
This vivid reflection captures the spirit of 1976 America through Patti Smith’s eyes, highlighting cultural vibrancy amid political turmoil and the intimate connections forged on tour.