"I was pretty taken with Patti Smith, she was my heroine"

Gavin Rossdale's quote about Patti Smith exposes his admiration for her. He was plainly influenced by her and saw her as a role model. It is most likely that he was drawn to her unique design and her capability to express herself through her music. He was likely mesmerized by her defiant attitude and her willingness to challenge the status quo. Her music was likely a source of comfort and motivation for him, and he was likely drawn to her strong sense of self and her refusal to conform to societal expectations. His affection for her is evident in his quote, and it is clear that she had a profound impact on him.