The ‘Before Easter After’ Launch
Patti Smith and Lynn Goldsmith in Beverly Hills
2019: TASCHEN Beverly Hills hosted Lynn Goldsmith and Patti Smith for the official launch of Before Easter After.
More than 150 guests, including Henry Rollins, Rosanna Arquette, Moon Zappa, and the Doors’ John Densmore, joined Smith and Goldsmith for an evening with true rock ’n’ roll spirit.
After previewing the very first copies of the limited-edition book—specially flown in from the printer for the evening—guests were surprised with a special live performance by Patti Smith. Joined on stage by her longtime bandmate Tony Shanahan, Smith performed a set of songs inspired by Goldsmith’s previously unseen photographs of the transformative period documented in the book. She ended her set with her best-known hit “Because the Night” from the album Easter, referenced in the book’s title, joined in song by every person in the room.
After the performance, Lynn and Patti generously personalized copies of the book for guests.
“I wanted to tell you about an amazing show I saw the other night. Patti Smith did a five song set at the TASCHEN bookstore in Beverly Hills. It’s easily one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. It was less than half an hour but the impact was total. It was just her and a man who played piano, guitar and also supplied backing vocals. He sang great. Ms. Smith, it was like all of the accumulated wisdom of human history was dispensed. She’s coming from a completely unique place.” Henry Rollins.
© all photos: Charley Gallay
