Rock legend Patti Smith visited UH on Monday to read from her new book “Just Kids” and performed a short music set in front of a crowd of students, faculty, staff and visitors at the UH Cullen Performance Hall.
The singer-songwriter was welcomed with a standing ovation, whistles and howls.
Her book “Just Kids” is an autobiography of her time with friend and former lover photographer Robert Mapplethorpe in the 1970s.
“I walked down Second Avenue, Frank O’Hara territory. Pink light washed over rows of boarded buildings. New York lights, the light of the abstract expressionists,” Smith read.
As she read further, she lost her place.
“I try to be really organized, but if I was totally organized tonight, then you would know that I was an imposter,” Smith joked.
After reading passages from her book, Smith took questions from the audience, some focused on her writing, others on her music and some on her personal life.
“Poetry is a very specific and difficult calling —a very sacrificial calling,” said Smith. “If one is going to embrace being a poet, be ready for a hard road and a lot of sacrifice and also a blessed vocation.”
She also shared her favorite memory of Jim Carroll, a writer and friend of Smith, and continued reading from the book.
