Two Times Intro: On the Road with Patti Smith

By Michael Stipe

“Michael Stipe’s photo-journal of Patti Smith’s celebrated return to touring . . . Patti’s image burns into pictures with weird radioactive mystery.” —Spin
 
This book comprises Michael Stipe’s intimate and evocative photos of Patti Smith on tour in 1995, along with other cultural celebrities who appeared with her, such as Allen Ginsberg. In addition to text by Stipe, William S. Burroughs, and Patti Smith, there is also commentary from Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Lenny Kaye, Tom Verlaine, and more.
 
“This isn’t a traditional book of portraits . . . The overwhelming mood is one of disjunction, claustrophobia, exhaustion, temporariness—and the effect is raw and intimate.” —Publishers Weekly
 
“An energetic and gracious tribute to not only a great artist, but also to a powerful moment in her oeuvre—and to those who contributed to it and shared in it.” —New York Journal of Books
 
“Stipe’s personal friendship lends something greater to the overall vision of this book. It isn’t simply a set of snapshots of performances, but rather a collection of rare moments. The personal nature of the anthology makes it all the more enticing and enjoyable. Smith, in all her glory and awe-inspiring talent, is portrayed in the truest light.” —Verbicide Magazine
 
“A fascinating book . . . including appearances by Allen Ginsberg, Gregory Corso, Tom Verlaine, the members of Sonic Youth and more . . . and the short text tributes to Smith by these people, scattered throughout the manuscript, are well worth your time.” —Chicago Center for Literature and Photography

• Language: English
• Publisher: Akashic Books
• Release date: Aug 30, 2011
• ISBN: 9781617750700

Book preview

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, by any means, including mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Published by Akashic Books

All Michael Stipe words and photographs ©1998, 2011 by Michael Stipe

°photographs ©1998 by Oliver Ray. Used by permission.

All other writers in this book individually maintain ©1998 on their written pieces. Used by permission.

Originally published in 1998 by Ray Gun Press/Little, Brown & Company.

Editor: Mark Blackwell

Design and typography: Chris Ashworth/Roy Gun

Design assistance: Amanda Sissons/Ray Gun

Design assistance for Akashic Books reprint: David Belisle and Aaron Petrovich

Photograph layout: Michael Stipe, Mark Blackwell, and Chris Ashworth

ISBN-13: 978-1-61775-023-6

eISBN-13: 978-1-61775-070-0

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011923104

First Akashic Books printing

Akashic Books

PO Box 1456

New York, NY 10009

[e-mail]

www.akashicbooks.com

Contents

Title Page

Copyright Page

2xIntro:

Preface 2011

2 x Re-Intro 2011

2xIntro:

Chiaroscuro: an arrangement of light and dark parts to create a pictorial vision.

Patti Smith is not only a great performer, she is a shaman – mat is. someone in touch with other levels of reality.

Her effect on the audience is electric, comparable to voodoo or umbanda rituals, where the audience members become participants, and are literally lifted out of themselves. In many cases, however, they are destined to return to ordinary consciousness – to be once again the single mother of three small children, or to follow the animei goals of the street hustler… but the shaman has, at least, provided a respite.

William S. Burroughs

July 4. 1997.

Preface 2011

BY PATTI SMITH

When I open this book I see in my mind two men whose images do not appear inside. The first is my late husband, Fred Sonic Smith. In 1979 I withdrew from the public eye to devote my life to him, our children, and our work. But his early death in November of 1994 obliged me to leave Detroit and return to New York City. The second invisible man is