Dear Hollywood, my beloved fans, and the ever-loyal Smith community,
As I sit in the quietness of thought, I feel forced to write this letter—not as a performer or public personality, but as Patti, a soul who has journeyed, created, faltered, and soared with the silent support of a magnificent community behind her. This is my open heart speaking to you all, with one simple message: thank you.
Hollywood—the city of dreams and shadows, where neon meets narrative—has been both a struggle and a cradle. In the beginning, I was an outsider, standing at the gates with a pen, a guitar, and a voice that didn’t quite meet expectations. But you gave me space and eventually listened. You accepted the bizarre, poetic, raw, and unpolished parts of me that were not intended to entertain but to provoke, express, and awaken. I am very appreciative of your patience, attention, and finally acceptance. You gave a girl from New Jersey with a dream and a notebook the opportunity to make her mark by standing out, rather than blending in.
To my fans—my kindred spirits—your love has carried me through every song, quiet, and reinvention. You met me in New York’s punk dives, bookstores, and sweat-soaked stages. You heard my voice as it trembled and shouted. You did not only hear my songs; you understood them. You took my words into your life and then returned them to me, complete with your own stories. You are a rare and beautiful tribe that spans decades, generations, and continents. You made the hard periods bearable and the sunny ones much more brilliant.
The Smith Community—from family to colleagues to others who share this journey with me—has been my compass. You let me drift without losing direction and rebel without forgetting my roots. My bandmates, my late husband Fred, my children, and my muses—you’ve all had a role in the developing drama of my life, and I appreciate it.
I have never traveled alone in any aspect of my profession, whether it be poetry, rock and roll, photography, or activism. You all contributed to creating an environment in which I could experiment, evolve, and express myself without ever having to apologize for being who I am. That is the best gift an artist can receive: freedom wrapped in love and love wrapped in patience.
This letter isn’t a farewell; it’s a statement of thanks. I still write, perform, and dream. But I move forward knowing that none of this would have been possible without you.
Thank you for believing in me, supporting me, and singing alongside me.
Patti Smith emphasized the importance of art, truth, and love.
🖤