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When Your Coworker Is a Legend! (The Sunday photo essay)

Yowsa!

The legendary PATTI SMITH working the counter at Rough Trade Esst, Shoreditch, London

I am totally familiar with the location of this historic pic. I have stood at this very counter numerous times purchasing music….lots of it.

Rough Trade East is one of the best record shoppes in the world. The reasons for that praise are numerous.

We can start with the excellent selection of music and books.

Add in the incredible staff – friendly and knowledgeable. Many are also talented musicians.

rex, Locks Geary- Griffin – Deputy Manager Rough Trade East/ Vocalist of Goth-
folk outfit LOCKS 🇬🇧
rex, Matt Burr, Director of Live Events, Rough Trade/ frontman of psych garage outfit BLACK DELTA MOVEMENT

But what takes this store even higher is the number of musicians who Rough Trade bring to visit the store to perform, sign records and books.

And that gets us to today’s post.

Matt let me know recently that legendary American icon PATTI SMITH visited the store on her book tour.

PATTI SMITH – “Bread Of Angels” (Bloomsbury Publishing – 2026)

Matt forwarded me the picture of Patti at the counter. He also sent me these two photos:

PATTI SMITH with ROUGH TRADE staff – many of whom are familiar to rex
Matt’s signed and dedicated copy of her book.

I asked Matt to select today’s song. He didn’t disappoint. This track is the monumental “Gloria”. The effect PATTI SMITH and this song have had on post-punk is astonishing.

Spotify-

https://open.spotify.com/track/272Z4tzaSMMcgrZ0R494S2?si=7A4nkRo8Tm2Jua3a-QAgTQ&utm_source=copy-link

(SONG 1780)

Play Loud Or Perish

11/ 8/ 2026

gwilliamrex

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