Patti Smith

Hello everybody I’m on the Eurostar with the fellows en route to Paris. Last night we had a great job at the Ghent jazz festival. Much improvising as it was the jazz festival. An impromptu version of Footnote to Howl celebrating Allen Ginsberg’s 100th year, A story about a stolen panel: The Judgement, from the great Altarpiece, and a take on our fireflies. I am including some snapshots traveling t...

Hello everyone, I am writing from Arles. Tomorrow it will be 98 degrees. I have found working in these high temperatures very challenging. But I have completed my work. The audio above represents some of the audio work I do with Soundwalk. In the next couple days I will send pictures from the exhibition. Below is an excerpt from my first post on Substack. I was writing about Andrei Tarkovsky’s mas...

Hello everybody, I am pretty much on my way to Arles. A few loose ends and off I go. I’m feeling very much like Uncle Wiggily embarking on a lone roadtrip. Jesse is indeed on a roadtrip. She left for Nashville after our small but loving birthday celebration, including a ride on the ferry and a visit to the ocean in Rockaway Beach. It was a perfect day to be together and a perfect day to fly. I hop...

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful comments. Now to my packing…. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

This is the cover of the forthcoming paperback. I am interested in your opinions… The photograph was taken on Seabrook Island, South Carolina in 1987 by t.e. denton. Pictured are Jackson Smith, Jesse yet to be born and my brother Todd’s daughter Simone. Have a good day everyone. Below is one of several depictions of the young John the Baptist by Caravaggio. Often with shepherds staff in hand, alwa...

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

I will be back later with more…Happy everything… This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Jesse took this picture when we were waiting our turn at Town Hall. A very inspiring night. Below is Robert’s speech. A good man speaking plain truth. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismit...

The great Lena Horn singing Stormy Weather. Good night all….. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Greetings from Iceland. After making the little phone video we took a five hour drive to Akureyri. We have a small family style acoustic concert there. On the way the landscape, ever changing was breath taking. I took a few pictures for you and send good wishes to all…. Our journey ended with fields of dandelions my most beloved wild flower…. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts...

Here is the actual window and a few more images as I am beguiled by boats. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you for listening. I’m not down, just ruminating. Please take care, a few snapshots below. See you from Iceland. Happiness in Istanbul. Shot by Jackson Smith. May you all feel a bit of joy today!!! This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscr...

Last night Jackson, Seb, Tony Shanahan and I performed a small acoustic concert in Vienna. We decided to try our hand at trying out a stripped down version of Fireflies, a song I wrote with Oliver Ray for Gone Again. It speaks of a widows deep longing and I have always found it too difficult, too sad to perform. It’s hard, if not painful, l to try something new; the risk of failure walks with you,...

I have to catch my train so here are some pictures. see you soon This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

A little excursion with Nelio Biedermann in the rain to McNally Jackson’s for a happy book swap. Photos taken by Jesse Paris Smith…. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/su...

Say a prayer of gratitude to the Great Mother…Nature herself. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Robert Walser birthday. Sending a wave from the Swiss border among the wild flowers and chirping birds. Thinking of Robert Walser who died on Christmas Day, 1956. Below visiting his grave. Photograph by Janine Bub. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this...

It’s April Fool’s Day. All I can say is the people have the power to wrestle the world from fools. It’s decreed the people rule. Today at this moment the light stirs my senses. I send it to you all with a smile and a song. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss thi...

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript Beneath are shots from Riverside Church to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Democracy Now . Tony and Bruce lead the way to People have the Power. Stay strong and healthy and vigilant. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If y...

TO STREAM: https://www.democracynow.org/live/democracy_now_30th_anniversary_event TONIGHT: Monday, March 23, 2026 Join Amy Goodman, Juan González, Nermeen Shaikh and the entire Democracy Now! family for a special live streaming event at the historic Riverside Church to celebrate 30 years of independent journalism. Special Guests & Performers * Legendary Activist and Scholar Angela Davis * Rock Leg...

Hi everybody, Somehow the video ending while I was still talking. Mostly saying nothing just trying to take a picture from my window. Really just saying hi, snowed in today. Oh I remember. I was saying how much my mom loved watching the Oscars. I am thinking of her and her birthday which is very soon, March 19th. So happy blizzard before spring. Hopefully I will get home tomorrow, but if not I am...

Here is part one of the pictures I took for you in Paris. More to come. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

No words. Just a smile and a wave. This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pattismith.substack.com/subscribe

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. Protect and project the best of your heart. Below is the second photograph I took that morning. Old Polaroid film diffused Michigan light and the slippers of Rudolf Nureyev. ❤️ This Substack is reader-supported. To receive new posts and support the work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other s...