In response to my recent item in Stuff You Might Have Missed about Tom Verlaine (appended with a photo of a couple I identified as Verlaine and Patti Smith), a reader named Tony wrote in. Here's what Tony had to say.
That's not Tom Verlaine with Patti...it's Sam Shepard.
I'm only bringing this up because I know you don't like "Horses". That, and that you're a stickler for the truth...
Well, it's not so much that I'm a "stickler for the truth" so much that I hate getting shit wrong. But, alas, it looks like I have.
Earlier this week, in a brief Rolling Stone interview, Ministry's Al Jourgensen remarked that he'd love to see "Billy Haynes" appear in the forthcoming comic book based on his life. He was referring, of course, to GIBBY Haynes, the lead vocalist for the Butthole Surfers, and a one-time Ministry-collaborator and friend of Uncle Al's. The point, though, is that whomever transcribed that interview with Al didn't bother to fact-check, and probably misheard Al's "Gibby" as "Billy." This is an example of GETTING SHIT WRONG. I'm not suggesting that it's a very important point, but Rolling Stone prides itself on being a music magazine. This is precisely NOT the shit that they should be getting wrong. This, of course, is not the first time Rolling Stone's gotten shit wrong, and it won't be the last.
I'd like to think that don't make as many lofty claims as Rolling Stone about being an authority on anything, but given my affinity for the music of Tom Verlaine and Television, it does pain me that I got this one wrong. And I believe Tony is right....that was not a barefoot Tom Verlaine in that picture. It was indeed poet/actor/playwright Sam Shepard (scroll down here).
Tony's also correct is pinpointing my disdain for Patti Smith's Horses. I've never been a fan. I've tried. I've given her numerous chances, but it never seems to take. Regardless, Patti'd been photographed with Verlaine a number of times. That being said, she's also been photographed with everyone from long-time loves Sam Shepard and Robert Maplethorpe through Jim Carroll and John Cale. The woman recognized a good photo op when it presented itself.
Anyway, good catch, Tony. As penance, herewith Patti's rendition of The Who's "My Generation."
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