Shannon Mooney
asked:
I don't know much about this generation of musicians or the photographer friend in this book, but I've heard very good things about this memoir. Should I still give it a go or will I be lost the whole time?
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Patricia
This is great! You will not be lost but going on Patti Smith's exciting journey with her, Grab it!
Angel Gillaspie
I haven't finished it yet, but I love her prose. She is, indeed, a poet (in my humble opinion). Perhaps you could read it with your tablet or laptop beside you and Google any of the names that come up. The Chelsea Hotel and the little bar & grill next to it are places that I wish I could have visited during this time.
Samantha
I didn't know anything about Robert Mapplethorpe, nor much about Patti Smith besides knowing that she was influential in the punk movement. I still immensely enjoyed this book. It's beautifully written and inspiring if you have a creative side.
Julie
You will be glad in the end to know about both Patti Smith and her "photographer friend," since they are both cultural icons who transcend their times. Another, very accessible, song that you might check out is Because the Night, Smith's only true popular (radio) hit.
Ann Phelan Phelan
read it and then listen to Patti Smith's song, Frederick. My life favorite dedicated to Fred Sonic Smith. She's brilliant!
Diane
The best way to get to know about anything is to "give it a go!" You can never go wrong reading about brilliant, creative people.
John
Shannon, I am just reading the comments (2020) and wondering if you ended up reading the book and if so, what did you think?
Mark Suffern
Definitely worth the read,even if you know little about the pair,it may prick your interest in the whole Chelsea Hotel scene of the late 60s but even if it doesn't I think it's a well told tale.Not your typical rock n roll memoirs.
Karl Larsen
I am 1/2 way through this, and really enjoying it. But, I am just old enough to remember a lot of the names from the late 60s and how influential they were. Also remembering the culture of the 60s is helping me enjoy the book a great deal, as is being familiar with New York City. And of course, if you like Patti's albums or poetry (or rock music in general), the book should resonate in how it depicts her influential environment in her early 20s. But, I know a young (early 20s) arts major who thought the book was great (she gave it to me). It's a time capsule. Definitely worth giving a shot.
Axel
You'll lose most of the references to artists and such, but those are not the main focus of the book. I didn't know more than half of it either and still think the book is amazing.
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