by AxlSlash » Thu Dec 09, 2010 6:21 am
Ok, so I went down to the Philly Library tonight to hear Patti Smith talk about her National Book Award winning memoir Just Kids about her life with Robert Maplethorpe. The Philly Library does lots of these author events, where the author talks for an hour or so and signs after. I got there early to pick up my ticket at will call and pick up books (a first edition hardcover of Just Kids and a paperback of poetry called The Early Years) and took my seat in the auditorium (holds about 400ppl, with another 200 or 300 in simulcast overflow seating).
The talk was amazing. She grew up in Philly and south Jersey, so this was a homecoming. Lots of jokes and comments about Philly slang and such. She read several passages from the book. The highlight came towards the end. Before the last passage, she puts the book down, and says "I want to try an experiment. You can help me if you want." She then began to sing acappella Because The Night, her biggest hit and one of my all time favorite songs. She then read the last passage, and the crowd made its way upstairs for the signing. Patti was as personable as one could reasonably expect. There were about 500 people to sign for at least, and many had multiple books, records, photos etc. I got both of my books signed, as well as a photo. She signed in black on a dark spot on the photo, but that's fine by me as I saw it happen. She thanked me when I told her how much her music has meant to me through the years, but not really a full convo. Still an amazing night with one of my heroes.
Ok, so I went down to the Philly Library tonight to hear Patti Smith talk about her National Book Award winning memoir Just Kids about her life with Robert Maplethorpe. The Philly Library does lots of these author events, where the author talks for an hour or so and signs after. I got there early to pick up my ticket at will call and pick up books (a first edition hardcover of Just Kids and a paperback of poetry called The Early Years) and took my seat in the auditorium (holds about 400ppl, with another 200 or 300 in simulcast overflow seating).
The talk was amazing. She grew up in Philly and south Jersey, so this was a homecoming. Lots of jokes and comments about Philly slang and such. She read several passages from the book. The highlight came towards the end. Before the last passage, she puts the book down, and says "I want to try an experiment. You can help me if you want." She then began to sing acappella Because The Night, her biggest hit and one of my all time favorite songs. She then read the last passage, and the crowd made its way upstairs for the signing. Patti was as personable as one could reasonably expect. There were about 500 people to sign for at least, and many had multiple books, records, photos etc. I got both of my books signed, as well as a photo. She signed in black on a dark spot on the photo, but that's fine by me as I saw it happen. She thanked me when I told her how much her music has meant to me through the years, but not really a full convo. Still an amazing night with one of my heroes.
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[img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1206.snc4/155859_1587865253873_1153050082_31700133_8344974_n.jpg[/img]
[img]http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1358.snc4/163052_1587865813887_1153050082_31700134_7517575_n.jpg[/img]
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