I try not to give too much advice, really, because people have to do their things their way. I got lots of advice when I was young, and I ignored most of it - the good and the bad. Patti Smith advicebadgive Change image and share on social
I was studying Francis of Assisi for quite some time, when Benedict was still the pope. And I was studying it for a song that I did for my last album, 'Banga.' Patti Smith albumassisibanga Change image and share on social
It's taken me other places, but it was the impulse to write that led me to singing. I'm not a musician. I never thought of performing in a rock n' roll band. I was just drawn in. It was like being called to duty - I was called to duty, and I did my duty as best as I could. Patti Smith bandcalldraw share on social
In the '60s, I used to love rock magazines; I'd cut out pictures of Bob Dylan and John Lennon. Patti Smith 60sbobcut Change image and share on social
I was raised Jehovah's Witness. I was in Bible school at five or six years old, but I wouldn't say that we were a religious family. Patti Smith biblefamilyjehovah Change image and share on social
Of course, every artist has 'minor works' that they do, but I don't think I have any 'minor disciplines.' Each discipline I approach as a major undertaking that I put my whole self into. Patti Smith approachartistdiscipline Change image and share on social
People came at me with all sorts of offers, wanting to make me into a hard-core Cher. I had no desire for any amount of money to be reformed for someone's vision, because in the end, that's what you got: your clay in someone else's hands. Patti Smith amountcherclay share on social
'M Train' is as close to knowing what I'm like as anything. I don't know exactly what the book is about. All and nothing, I suppose. Patti Smith bookcloseknow Change image and share on social
No, my work does not reflect my sexual preferences, it reflects the fact that I feel total freedom as an artist. Patti Smith artistfactfeel Change image and share on social
Artists are traditionally resistant to labels. Patti Smith artistlabelresistant Change image and share on social
