William Gibson/Patti Update

[AlanF (MR ALAN K FRIEDMAN)]

Bob Ingria treated us to a post a couple of months ago that
revealed Patti as one of the inspirations for William Gibson's
character Molly Millions in his story "Johnny Mnemonic" and novels
NEUROMANCER and MONA LISA OVERDRIVE.

At the time, Gibson had written (via Bob) that "Molly Millions was
most directly inspired by Patti Smith, circa HORSES, and Chrissie
Hynde's photo on the very first Pretenders album."

Here's a little update.

I went to Gibson's booksigning at Olsson's Books and Records
(Dupont Circle, Washington, D.C.) on Friday 9/13 and asked him more
about Patti in the course of his putting signatures on half a dozen
first editions.  (I have book collecting addiction.)

He said that Patti was the major wellspring for Molly Millions'
"attitude," while Chrissie remained the visual inspiration.

I asked if he had kept up with Patti and had heard GONE AGAIN.  He
said yes, and that he thought GA was an "astounding recording," but
very sad.  Then he brought up REM's "E-Bow the Letter" and said she
was really good on that and that he thought NEW ADVENTURES IN HI-FI
was REM's "best yet."

Alan (wild with anticipation for Patti on "The Tonight Show")
AlanF
Rockville, MD

P.S.  The bookstore ploy of luring me into the store with William
Gibson worked.  I suffered a total breakdown and bought the two
British "Summer Cannibals" CD singles for $9.98 a shot.  Obviously,
books aren't my only addiction <g>.