Patti and Erica share a moment
One of the most intense experiences of Erica’s life was her association with the Patti Smith Band and its lead guitarist Lenny Kaye.
Smith began as an avant-garde poet, and after Kaye started providing a rock accompaniment to her readings, they formed a band at the New York club CBGB. Her 1975 debut album “Horses” was a punk rock landmark with its fierce energy and loose primitivist style. Critics were knocked out, but perhaps no one was more enthralled than Erica.
“That album was so amazing. Patti was very erotic. She got her energy from having sex! She had a lot to work off—she had energy that was extraordinary. When I met Patti, I was working for Elmer Valentine at The Roxy at night, and at the Rainbow in the afternoon waiting tables. The Patti Smith Band came in one night, and since I was one of the top waitresses, I had the main section where all the record company people were. The first time I saw her, I just wanted to be her, to be all of her. I was just hypnotized.
Erica & Lenny mugging for the Camera
“Somehow, Lenny Kaye found out I was working there, and who I was. It turns out he was a huge fan of Dolls. It was so funny. ‘I’m a fan of yours and your a fan of mine!’ He knew just about every line of the movie. He said to come back to the hotel afterward. They were staying at The Tropicana on Santa Monica Boulevard, where all the rock stars stayed then.
“I remember going into the room and he was reciting lines to me from Dolls. Being with Lenny was like being with Patti. I was really in love with him. I hung out with Patti too, and sort of watched over her. When she lost her voice, I gave her honey to drink so her voice would come back… I went on the road with then and the became sort of another family for me. We spent a lot of time together for a couple of years.
“She just gave me power, she made me feel like I have power. She’s a true artist. She’s strong and she’s crazy. That level of insanity when you know that someone else is there, just acknowledging the struggle, and also the freedom. I always felt like I was her captive, without saying anything. Patti showed me how my insanity could work for me, and not against me. I felt a deep connection with her. She didn’t really know anything about me, she just knew I was always around.”
–by Steve Sullivan
excerpted with kind permission from Glamour Girls
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That’s a facinating story of you working at the Roxy in the post DOLLS period of your life. Meeting Patti Smith and her band during the dawn of the punk movement, too cool! Thanks for sharing your experiences.
I’m so touched that you all take the time to comment! Really I have no idea if anyone takes a look here.
It makes me a little emotional! ♥
xoxo
~ e
Great story, Erica. It really is. Thank you for sharing it with us. Peace.
Robert
I love these stories, Erica – keep ‘em coming! I admire people like you who took the less traveled path in life and I hope it’s brought you happiness, you deserve it!
hi Erika,
just wanted to salute you, I loved to hear from you. I knew you when i discovered Vixen! . I was impacted by your beauty then and now. I like seeing you are ok. best wishes from a spanish admirer.
juan
thanks for the story…I love Patti Smith and I love Russ Meyer but I did not know about a connexion between the two of them
I am Spanish and too young to have seen Patti those days but I like her insanity as well
keep going nice Erica !
Lovely story Erica.I bought Patti’s Horses when it came out–I was buying all the NYC bands (I had picked up Ricard Hell’s EP through the mail!). But I was aware of Lenny before that through his writing, and Nuggets, of course. A few years ago I heard his interview on Fresh Air when his book on The great crooners came out. I leaned a bunch about that era, and Lenny was a great gentleman. Cheers. Joe
Erica Gavin, you are an inspiration. Your film roles demonstrate your incredible lust for life. Having watched you in BVD in high school in the 80′s and then following through with Caged Heat, I find you amongst the most compelling female screen icons of the 20th Century. It’s no wonder that Patti and Lenny wanted to hang with you, given your groundbreaking performances in said flicks. Friedan’s beef with porn was fair but she failed to assess you properly, doubtful she even saw ‘Vixen’, and if so, shame on her. The film is entertaining and subversive. I am thrilled that you are still alive and well and sharing your stories with your fans, of whom I consider myself one, always and forever. Thanks for the work.