(Header Photo Courtesy Noise Pop Industries / Debra Zelle)
Attending the grand reopening of the Henry J. Kaiser on October 7, 2024, with my septuagenarian best friend was a profound and nostalgic experience. The event, centered on the incomparable Patti Smith and legendary photographer Lynn Goldsmith, was a journey through friendship, art, and music. They were on tour for their new book, Before Easter After: 1976-1979 Photos and Diary Entries of Patti Smith’s Life, an apt title for a night filled with laughter, stories, and emotional resonance.
The crowd was as eclectic and storied as the venue itself—a mix of Mills College graduates, anonymous band members from legendary Bay Area groups, and other creative spirits. Garage rock vintage shirts mingled with the crisp Northeast types who still clung to their cigarettes. Young leftie femmes teemed with anticipation, while nonchalant poet types gazed on indifferently, and nervous, professional event staff wove through the crowd, ensuring everything ran smoothly.
The Henry J. Kaiser, steeped in the cultural and musical history of the Bay Area, has been home to some of the most legendary concerts. Perhaps none were more iconic than the Grateful Dead’s many performances there. (Editor’s Note: The show where The Ramones made the Bay Area debut of Rock & Roll High School, the greatest movie of all time ON THE DAY I WAS BORN, beats any Dead show there.) The venue became a central part of the Dead’s storied relationship with the Bay Area, known for hosting some of their most memorable shows in the mid-1980s. The band played the Henry J. Kaiser nearly 50 times, with annual multi-night runs becoming a staple from 1984 until 1987. These shows attracted Deadheads from all over, who flocked to the venue to experience the band’s unique blend of improvisation, psychedelic rock, and community spirit.
Particularly legendary were the Dead’s Mardi Gras shows at the Henry J. Kaiser, which became annual traditions. Complete with parades, costumes, and extended jams, these performances embodied the celebratory spirit of the Dead’s live shows, making the venue a sacred space in Grateful Dead lore.
This rich history was alive as Patti and Lynn took the stage to reflect on their experiences. Though a moderator was technically present, they weren’t needed. Patti and Lynn seamlessly traded stories, retelling tales of their time together over 40 years ago, as Lynn ran slides capturing moments from their past. Their anecdotes painted a vivid picture of their shared journey, from misspent nights in New York City to road trips across the U.S.
One particularly captivating moment came when Patti recounted her friendship with the legendary William S. Burroughs. Patti began to weave a vivid tale of their shared experiences. With a wry smile, she recounted how she used to attend Burroughs’ notorious parties in New York City. “He’d invite me to these bizarre gatherings,” she said, her voice softening in remembrance. The parties were filled with artists, poets, and outcasts, but Burroughs always stood apart—an enigmatic figure who was always watching and rarely engaging.
As the crowd hung on her every word, Patti told the story of how Burroughs would take her to various places in the city. Patti’s candidness shone through as she recounted hitting on Burroughs one evening. She paused, then dropped her voice into a perfect impression of Burroughs, adopting an elegant rasp and stretching out her words. “‘Patti,’ he’d say, ‘I’m a raging homosexual.’” She mimicked his long drawl, capturing his deadpan humor and absolute certainty. The audience erupted in laughter as Patti, still grinning, shook her head.
This moment revealed Patti’s versatility in her relationships and her curiosity about the world. She wasn’t fazed by rejection or by Burroughs’ peculiarities. Instead, she was drawn to his energy, his difference, and the fact that he existed entirely outside the norms.
As the stories flowed, Patti also shared anecdotes about her time with Robert Mapplethorpe, Sam Shepard, and Tom Verlaine. These icons had left an indelible mark on her life and art. She spoke fondly of her creative partnership with Mapplethorpe, whose photographs captured her image and explored the complex themes of love and desire that permeated their lives. With Sam Shepard, she reminisced about their shared passion for storytelling and the artistic exchange that fueled their work, while her connection with Tom Verlaine revealed a deep bond forged through their love of music and poetry.
Lynn’s photographs played a pivotal role in the evening’s storytelling, notably a harrowing series that captured the aftermath of Patti’s infamous accident in Florida in 1977. The audience gasped as Lynn shared a story of how Patti fell 14 feet off a stage during a performance when roadies placed her monitors too close to the edge. “I spent four months with a fractured skull,” Patti recalled, her tone shifting to one of clarification. Lynn had been there, documenting every moment—from Patti’s vulnerability in the hospital to the fierce determination that followed. fragile and fierce. Some photos highlighted her androgynous appearance, while others almost gave her an alien or animal-like quality due to the rawness she exuded in front of Lynn’s lens.
The evening felt less like a formal presentation and more like a gathering of friends, with Patti and Lynn drawing the audience into their world. Patti and Lenny Kaye played acoustic songs corresponding to the images, creating a rich tapestry of sound and memory. Patti performed “Dancing Barefoot,” evoking the love she shared with her late husband, Fred “Sonic” Smith, and dedicated “Because the Night” and “People Have the Power” to Fred. The energy in the room elevated as she used the song as a rallying cry, urging the crowd to vote, to raise their voices, and to use whatever power they had. As any attuned poet would, she reminded the audience that it’s all we have and must use it. The laughter, music, and stories combined into something far more significant—a celebration of a lifelong creative partnership, capturing the polished moments and the raw, vulnerable, and extraordinary journey they shared. Check out the book.
