By Robert Mapplethorpe
At the Alison Jacques Opening of Mapplethorpe's 'Season in Hell' with Patti herself performing and marking the night, drawing the endless crowds in...almost could not stand the heat and the cramming as we all waited for an hour and a half in the gallery. Naturally I persevered, its Patti after all.
Inevitably we are advised to shift outside, where she would perform. Getting people to move proves near impossible. Finally manage to park ourselves by the curb, against a little sports car.
And there she is, with what looks like a recent book purchase in her arms, doting the crowds, friendly as ever. And as per usual it is about the time where I seize up and become a mute, all I can mutter is hi as she looks me in the eyes. Her wondering eye a little more prominent than when I saw her previously. But makes her more endearing than anything.
Feeling 'stodgy' she skips the Rimbaud recital she had planned, and dives straight into the songs. A little mistake at the start, her contagious giggling throughout make you love her all the more. To finish she talks of how Robert always willed her on to make a hit. When she finally did, she recalls walking down 7th (I think it was) in New York and how they heard it everywhere- car radios/ shops etc..
Anyhow she performed it a Capella (she claims can play but 'three cords') and was embarrassed but continued to get the crowd to join in.
The man with two bananas, unable to get into his sports car, and oblivious to who she was finally speeds of with no concern for the milling people. And I guess I feel a little sad at the moment - gone.
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