Patti Smith Asked Eric Clapton 1 Question And Was Fired From Her Job

New York 1967

Born in Chicago to a jazz singer and a machinist, Patti Smith was exposed to music at an early age. No, not just the ABC’s, we’re talking Harry Belafonte and Patience and Prudence. Patti’s mother gave her one of her first records, Bob Dylan’s Another Side of Bob Dylan. Music became an intrinsic part of her character.

Patti moved to Manhattan in 1967 after leaving Glassboro State College. She started working at bookshops and eventually became a writer. During this time she was also pursuing her art and music. Eventually Patti would become the loudest voice of the punk laureates– but at this time she was still struggling with writing anything at all. Yet, the passion was bubbling.

Soon, she proved herself in the right ways and started writing for several music magazines. One of those  magazines was Rock Magazine. In Dave Thompson’s book, Dancing Barefoot: The Patti Smith Story, he recounts a totally ironic moment.

Rock Magazine was a monthly competitor with Rolling Stone Magazine and was a pretty epic gig for a young writer. At one point Patti Smith was assigned to interview Cream guitarist and rock artist, Eric Clapton.  She asked the Brit rocker one question– then was fired.

Patti Smith asked Eric Clapton what his six favorite colors were. And that ended her career as a rock writer and started her life as the godmother of punk rock. Listen to Patti Smith give an inspirational speech, which gives insight to her tenacity as an artist.