The Smith Tapes

As a columnist for the Village Voice in the 60's-70's, Howard Smith was in a unique position. His column, “Scenes,” was a who’s-who of the Art, Music and Pop cultures of New York. He operated within these worlds as a journalist and friend, a leader of the new participatory journalism. Known as an astute critic of pop culture, a mention or critique in his column had the power to put you and your work on the scene. Smith was at the center of culture in the city during its most transformative and original time.

Between 1969-1972, Smith interviewed a few hundred of the rock, art and cultural titans of the time, often taped directly in relation to the release of their seminal works. For example: John Lennon the day "Imagine" was released, Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda just before the release of "Easy Rider", Mick Jagger at the start of the Stones tour which ended at Altamont, James Taylor on the release of "Sweet Baby James", Janis Joplin's last interview just days before her death, and the list goes on...
The tapes are like time capsules which capture the interviewee in their prime, uncensored, and before they had become the icons we know them to be. Listening to the interviews feels as if you’re there at the table, sitting in the room with Smith and his microphone. The interviews have an immediacy and an intimacy that is astounding.

The produced pieces available here are cut from the longer full interviews, (each running 20-120min. long), most of which are now available on iTunes and Amazon MP3 in curated collections. Search "The Smith Tapes."
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As a columnist for the Village Voice in the 60's-70's, Howard Smith was in a unique position. His column, “Scenes,” was a who’s-who of the Art, Music and Pop cultures of New York. He operated within these worlds as a journalist and friend, a leader of the new participatory journalism. Known as an astute critic of pop culture, a mention or critique in his column had the power to put you and your work on the scene. Smith was at the center of culture in the city during its most transformative and original time. Between 1969-1972, Smith interviewed a few hundred of the rock, art and cultural titans of the time, often taped directly in relation to the release of their seminal works. For example: John Lennon the day "Imagine" was released, Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda just before the... Show full description