What I've always tried to do is to express the highest point of me, and rock 'n' roll is the first and the most open form created by our generation. The cool thing about it is that you get the power, you get the rhythm; you can be taken over sexually, you can be taken over cerebrally; it's great to look at - it's a package deal.
Patti SmithI use drugs to work. I never use them to escape or for pleasure. When you turn to drugs, all you're doing is turning inside, anyway. I only use drugs for construction. It's like one of my architectural tools.
Patti SmithWith the death of Robert Mapplethorpe, I had lost my main collaborator in taking photographs. So I didn't know who to work with.
Patti SmithThe thing I've always liked about performing is that I decide what I want to wear, whether I want to comb my hair.
Patti SmithI don't think the Palestinian people or Afghan children or some other things I'm concerned about are at the top of other people's agendas - not right now, when America is going through such a recession and people are suffering across the board financially. But I think all that will change.
Patti Smith