Patti Smith on Lou Reed and rock and roll | American Masters | PBS

On July 31, 1997, Patti Smith shared her thoughts on the 70s rock and roll scene and how Lou Reed of the Velvet Underground inspired her as a young girl in South Jersey. Interview conducted by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, director of "American Masters—Lou Reed: Rock And Roll Heart" (1998).

Chapters:
00:00 How jazz gave rock and roll new structure
01:35 Shaking up the music scene in the 1970s
05:07 Patti Smith's introduction to the Velvet Underground
07:58 How Smith related to Lou Reed's "cerebrally sensual music"
09:22 Smith breaks down the song "Heroin"
12:19 Smith's rejection of labeling artists

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[taraxacum]

She is great to listen to. Fame and accomplishment did not make her arrogant. Her ability to remain humble was part of what makes her beautiful. When I was a teenager and saw The Patti Smith Group perform at the Bottom Line in the Village, it woke me up to something new and clear and brilliant. I think she was doing something far more than just holding a place for something new to come along.

[lauramiller]

I could listen to her speak about any subject all day long 💕

[billmay]

I love how Pattie Descripes
The VU and Lou Reed's Muse.
The Song Heroin has Beauty
Underneath the Struggle in Darkness of Addiction.
One of the greatest songs ever written .
Lou Reed is one of the greatest American Artist.
People are still trying to catch up to Lou.
David Bowie knew this.
Patty was a Visonary from Coltrane to Miles and ties it into Lou Reed.

[dbob]

Whether it is creating art or critiquing art, she is one of the best. She is one of those humans that God anointed an “artist”. I cannot imagine she could have been anything else if she tried. It would be like taking a brook trout out of a mountain stream and telling it, “you will be an accountant”. As you return that living jewel back to the clear flowing water, you know it is where and what it had to be. We as her audience have had the good fortune to enjoy her genius—thank you PS

[barbarapalangi]

I'm always amazed when I hear her speak! She has a way of expressing herself in an intellectual way without being pretentious. I never really listened to her or appreciated her music when I was young. It was mostly about the great music/musicians of the British Invasion for me, some friends & family. I'm glad that I'm able to hear & appreciate her contributions to the music industry & society in general now❣️

[kasondaleigh]

I’ve only known her by name and she is so lovely to listen to!! Very articulate and genuine. Thanks for sharing!

[ediedisorder]

Patti, I just admire and appreciate her so much. Loved this interview. Just watched her on the 15th Aug great show as always. Live Portland, Or.
103 degree heat, lots of misters water spraying everywhere. But Patti brought it. She just rocks. And such a humble and thankful human being.

[auralepiphanies]

Yeah Heroin is the most honest, intriguing, satisfying, terrifying, street level lyrics maybe of all time ...Put it up there with the lyrics of Blowin in the Wind. I still tell people Lou Reed is my Bob Dylan!

[Dunskaroo]

I love the way she just exudes authenticity, vulnerability, and beauty at the same time and strikes a balance on those at the same time.

[flyingo]

My musical, political and social tastes for the “out of the ordinary” developed from life in the late 60s and early to late 70s, and Patti’s albums were a huge part of that development. Radio Ethiopia changed me deeply. I was fortunate to have attended a few of her concerts over the years, and seeing her perform live was other worldly, to say the least. Her book “Just Kids” is an amazing and entertaining read. She is just brilliant in every way.

[peacetrain]

Patti Smith came to Chapel Hill after Horses was released. She played on campus at a small auditorium. It was like, New York City came to the country. It was epic!

[geinikankan]

I came back from abroad and Gone Again had just come out, after a hiatus of a few years for Smith. Man that album made me cry it was pure rock poetry about grieving and life.

[katebarker]

Her vision of a future without a need for labels is succinctly spoken. I love her. She is wise.

[josephcopeland]

Patti Smith it's not just a singer she's a poet in our own right

[cosmicdrifter]

Very smart and beautiful woman in more than one way.

[gohomo]

Thank you! always glad to see Patti :) would love to see more!

[j.kevvideoproductions.]

She's very articulate & described Lou Reed's writing skill pretty well.

[markdarnell]

I think Patti Smith has earned the Title - VISIONARY! Honestly, I am not particularly drawn to her music, as much as I am her Thinking, and BEING! She is both Beautiful, and Astonishing ...like an ancient Fortress Wall!

[hocultcha]

Patti has helped me by taking the loneliness away in my childhoodl. i listened to her music and felt apart of something even when i was isolated up in northern new england. so i moved to upper east side to be a part of it.

[peteroverbaugh]

I saw her open for the Grateful Dead at the UMass Amherst Spring Fest in May of 1979. It seemed an odd Tandem, but it worked and was wonderful. Jesus Died for Somebody's Sinz but not Mine....Happy Easter.