Patti Smith on how she tracked down true identity of her biological father

Patti Smith on Discovering Her Biological Father

Singer-songwriter Patti Smith is currently celebrating the 50th anniversary of her debut album Horses. Earlier this week, she released her long-awaited memoir Bread of Angels, a project more than a decade in the making.

Unveiling Family Secrets

In the memoir, Smith delves into her life story — from her working-class upbringing in Philadelphia and South Jersey to her retreat from public life. The book includes a deeply personal revelation about the search for her biological father.

“In 2002, during a phone call, my mother said she had ‘a story’ for me ‘about genetics.’”

When Smith later tried to continue the conversation during a hospital visit after her mother’s fall, she was met with silence and an empty look.

DNA Test and Discovery

It was not until 2012 that Smith, along with her sister Linda, took a DNA test. The results revealed that the two were half-sisters and did not share the same father, Grant Smith.

A Glimpse into Bread of Angels

Bread of Angels offers readers an intimate journey through Smith’s childhood and teenage years, showing the first emergence of her love for art and poetry. The memoir was officially released on November 4, 2025, by Bloomsbury Books UK.

“Bread of Angels takes us through her childhood and teenage years where the first glimmers of art and romance take hold.”

Author’s Summary: In her new memoir, Patti Smith explores her artistic roots while uncovering the long-hidden truth about her biological father through a personal journey spanning two decades.

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NME NME — 2025-11-08

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