Norwalk, CT—May 21, 2012: Officials at BookExpo America (BEA) have announced that Patti Smith will interview Neil Young when he makes his appearance at North America’s premier book industry event. “A Conversation with Neil Young and Patti Smith” will take place on Wednesday, June 6 at 12 noon in the Special Events Hall at the Javits Center. Ms. Smith’s discussion with Mr. Young will focus on his upcoming memoir, Waging Heavy Peace to be published in North America by Blue Rider Press, a member of Penguin Group (USA), in fall of 2012.

“I am very grateful to Patti Smith for agreeing to participate, as I am to Neil Young and most especially Blue Rider Press for putting this all together.” notes Steve Rosato, Show Manager for BEA. “This will be a huge attraction for everyone attending our show. Booksellers, media, and other book industry professionals have a unique opportunity to be a part of a very exclusive once-in-a-lifetime event. We are honored to have Mr. Young and Ms. Smith at BEA.”

“A Conversation with Neil Young and Patti Smith” is free to all convention attendees. Seating will be provided on a first come, first served basis. Lunch will not be provided but guests are free to bring their own lunch. For more information about BEA, please visit www.bookexpoamerica.com and connect with BEA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.

ABOUT NEIL YOUNG: Widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation, Mr. Young is a singular figure in the history of rock and he has profoundly influenced popular culture over the past four decades. He epitomizes the uncompromising artist. In his book, Mr. Young will present a kaleidoscopic view of his personal life and musical creativity. It is the year’s most awaited memoir and rights to the book have been sold around the world to a dozen countries so far including: Brazil, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Japan, Norway, Spain (and Spanish language in Latin America), Sweden and the United Kingdom.

ABOUT PATTI SMITH: Patti Smith is a writer, performer, and visual artist. She gained recognition in the 1970s for her revolutionary mergence of poetry and rock. Her seminal album Horses, bearing Robert Mapplethorpe’s renowned photograph, has been hailed as one of the top 100 albums of all time. She won the National Book Award for Nonfiction for her 2010 acclaimed memoir, Just Kids. Her other books include Witt, Babel, Woolgathering, The Coral Sea, and Auguries of Innocence.

In 2005, the French Ministry of Culture awarded Smith the prestigious title of Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, the highest honor awarded to an artist by the French Republic. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 and has recorded thirteen albums. Her latest, BANGA (Columbia), releases in June 2012. Smith married the late Fred Sonic Smith in Detroit in 1980. They had a son, Jackson, and a daughter, Jesse. Smith resides in New York City.

ABOUT BOOKEXPO AMERICA: BookExpo America (BEA) is North America’s largest gathering of book trade professionals attracting an international audience. It is organized with the support of association partners including the Association of American Publishers (AAP) and the American Booksellers Association (ABA). BEA is recognized for the media attention it brings to upcoming books as well as for the notable authors it attracts to the convention itself.

Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events organizer. In 2007 Reed brought together over six million industry professionals from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held in 38 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, and organized by 39 fully staffed offices. Reed’s portfolio of over 500 events serves 47 industry sectors.