Patti Smith Reveals Family Secrets in New Memoir
Music icon Patti Smith shares deeply personal family stories in her eagerly awaited memoir, Bread of Angels. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the legendary singer discusses the inspiration behind the book and her reasons for revealing these truths now.
Unexpected Memoir After a Decade
Patti Smith, known as the godmother of punk and famous for her 1975 debut album Horses and her National Book Award-winning 2010 memoir Just Kids, did not initially intend to write another nonfiction work.
"I wrote [Just Kids] for Robert [Mapplethorpe] because he asked me to, just hours before he died. And I labored on that book for a long time, and did learn how to write a book such as that, but I hadn't planned to write another," Smith told PEOPLE exclusively.
A Dream That Sparked Creation
Her new project was inspired by a vivid dream she experienced ten years ago. In the dream, she received a white book tied with a white ribbon, containing photographs of dresses she had worn throughout her life. These included her wedding dress, a dress given by Robert Mapplethorpe, and the white dress from her brother featured on the cover of her album Wave. Each image was linked to personal stories, making the dream feel like a beautiful book she was meant to create.
"In my dream, I received a package, and it was a white book, and it had a white ribbon and photographs of dresses that I had owned in my life... and when I woke up, my hands were extended."
About the Author
Colleen Kratofil is the Senior Editor, TV at PEOPLE.
Summary: Patti Smith's new memoir, inspired by a meaningful dream, uncovers family truths and personal stories she had never shared before, adding depth to her artistic legacy.
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