Patti Smith on Discovering Her Biological Father
Singer-songwriter Patti Smith is celebrating the 50th anniversary of her debut album Horses and has just released a new memoir titled Bread of Angels, which she spent over a decade writing. The book explores her journey from her working-class roots in Philadelphia and South Jersey to the private moments that defined her artistic and personal life.
The Revelation
In the memoir, Smith recounts how, during a phone call in 2002, her mother mentioned having “a story about genetics.” When Smith later tried to discuss the matter while visiting her mother in the hospital, she was met with silence and uncertainty.
“She had a story for me about genetics.”
Uncovering the Truth
A decade later, in 2012, Patti Smith and her sister Linda decided to take a DNA test. The results revealed that they were half-sisters and did not share the same father, Grant Smith. This discovery became one of the most personal revelations of her life and a central narrative in Bread of Angels.
Memoir Release
Bread of Angels was released on November 4, 2025, by Bloomsbury Books UK. The publisher described it as an intimate reflection of Smith’s formative years, her creative awakening, and the hidden truths that shaped her identity.
“Bread of Angels takes us through her childhood and teenage years where the first glimmers of art and romance take hold.”
Summary
Author’s note: Patti Smith’s Bread of Angels blends memoir and revelation, tracing her artistic rise while confronting the long-hidden truth about her father’s identity.
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