Guitarist Lenny Kaye on Patti Smith, Nuggets, and his solo debut

Speaker 10:00

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Terry Gross· Host0:15

This is Fresh Air. I am Terry Gross. My guest, Lenny Kaye, has been Patti Smith's guitarist since their early days when he was a rock critic and she was doing poetry readings. In 1971, when Smith decided she wanted guitar accompaniment for her next reading, it was Kaye she asked to join her. With the exception of her long breaks from performing, their partnership continues to this day. Lenny Kaye has played with other bands, but finally, at the age of 79, he has a new solo album of his own songs. It's called Goin' Local, and it will be released July 17th. It shows off his versatility as a guitar player and songwriter. I also love his singing. There's some scorching guitar, tender ballads, and songs that made me smile and laugh. Lenny Kaye is one of those people who seems to know everything there is to know about rock and pop music. He's written several books related to rock and roll history, including his latest, Lightning Striking, about 10 transformative periods in rock history and the cities they originated in. His record anthology, Nuggets: Original Artifacts of the First Psychedelic Era 1965-1968, inspired many first generation punk rockers. Next year will be its 55th anniversary,