Patti Smith 11/4/10 Yale University

As part of the Master's Tea program, rock legend Patti Smith spoke about life, art, and her new book a memoir of Robert Mapplethorpe. Witty and raspy, Smith described three crossroads in her life: moving to NYC from NJ in the late sixties penniless and excited, starting a family outside Detroit( with late husband Fred "Sonic" Smith), and returning to the public life to record "Gone Again" as a tribute and collaboration with Fred. Several times during this talk she reminded us she is NOT a musician, but an artist focused on the merging of poetry with music. It was a treat to see such an icon talk candidly of her career. I couldn't help but notice the odd juxtaposition of hallowed halls and tables of finger food with this artist who talked of sleeping in graveyards in NYC. I guess people do have the power.