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In Their Own Words: Patti Smith

Patti Smith pioneered the US punk rock scene. This is a portrait of a fascinating artist in her own words - from interviews recorded across her career. First broadcast in 2018.

Patti Smith shaped the New York City punk rock scene with her debut album 'Horses'. She's a poet, an artist, a singer and a songwriter who's pushed boundaries in everything she's ever done.

6 Music offers an intimate portrayal of this fascinating artist through her own words from interviews recorded across her career.

Patti arrived penniless in New York in 1967 and met her future muse and partner, photographer Robert Mapplethorpe. She shares their relationship and what went on behind the scenes when he took that famous photo of her for the album cover of 'Horses'. She describes the thought process behind her poetry and songwriting and her feelings about artists like Janis Joplin and Barbra Streisand.

She reveals her love of poetry and how she thinks of music as war. And the pivotal theme of God and religion emerges again and again throughout the music of her epic and varied career.

First broadcast in 2018.

1 hour

Last on

Tue 3 Oct 2023 00:00

Music Played

  • Patti Smith

    Cartwheels

  • Patti Smith Group

    Till Victory

  • Patti Smith Group

    Because the Night

    • Rock Of America (Various Artists).
    • Trax Label.
  • Patti Smith

    1959

  • Patti Smith

    P*** Factory

  • Barbra Streisand

    Happy Days Are Here Again

  • Janis Joplin

    Me And Bobby Mcgee

    • CBS.
  • Patti Smith

    Gloria

    • ARISTA.
  • Patti Smith Group

    Ain't It Strange

  • The Excellents

    Coney Island Baby

Broadcasts

  • Sun 10 Jun 2018 13:00
  • Tue 15 Dec 2020 00:00
  • Wed 1 Dec 2021 01:00
  • Tue 17 May 2022 00:00
  • Tue 13 Dec 2022 00:00
  • Tue 3 Oct 2023 00:00

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