Patti Smith: Before Easter After

Book excerpt: A new trade publication of Before Easter After, originally published in a limited edition at $1,000. Hundreds of rarely seen images by legendary photographer Lynn Goldsmith offer an intimate portrait of rock ’n’ roll icon Patti Smith during a transformative moment in her career. Images of Smith performing on stage combine with candid behind-the-scenes photographs and striking studio shoots to create a deeply personal look at the singer during her rise to fame. The photographs include Smith’s life-changing accident while on tour in 1977 and the aftermath, as well as closeup, empathetic portraits that reveal Smith’s self-assurance, her defiance of cultural norms, and her effortless poise. This poignant visual narrative is punctuated throughout by Smith’s original poetry and song lyrics. This book is both a glimpse into a fabled time in music history, documenting a young artist creating what turned out to be a revolutionary work, as well as a celebration of an enduring partnership between two close friends who continue to be creative collaborators to this day.