Lenny Kaye

Before the Ramones and the Sex Pistols, Lenny Kaye was clerking at Village Oldies on Bleecker Street. In 1972, he compiled Nuggets—and its liner notes helped shape the emerging idea of Punk Rock.

Questlove and Lenny nerd out as fellow record obsessives, swapping stories about organizing vinyl, seeing Jimi Hendrix twice, meeting Patti Smith (whom he played bass for ever since), and recording “Piss Factory” in the final 15 minutes of a session at Electric Lady. Lenny also talks about his new solo debut, Goin' Local, out now on Yep Roc. Made for artistic closure, not to chase a trend, the personal, unhurried record came from a simple conviction: “because I’m my favorite artist.” He reflects on creativity, his enduring love of music, and the crates he’s digging through now.

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