Coming into New York City’s scene in the 70s, the ‘Godmother of Punk’ Patti Smith turned the tides for women, becoming one of the most influential rock n’ rollers of all time. Her distinctive musical fusion was not a statement; simply a product of following her own artistical muse whichever direction it took her.
‘Jesus died for somebody’s sins but not mine’ writes a rebellious Smith, casting off the shackles of her religious upbringing. Visceral from a young age, Smith began writing and performing very early. Untrained yet nevertheless expressive, she unintentionally created a rock band by speaking her poetry over Lenny Kayes guitar, later adding a pianist and bassist to the mix. In 1975, under The Patti Smith Group, her first album Horses combined punk-rock and spoken word. Blessed with a compelling stage presence, Smith enchanted audiences with impassioned melodies – yet music was not her primary vocation. It was about making art – whether this came in the form of putting pen to paper, painting, making music or posing for life long friend Robert Mapplethorpe’s photography – it was about expression of the self.
Smith dropped off the music scene in the 90s after settling down husband Fred ‘Sonic’ Smith. After his passing however, she continued to tour and perform her work with a fearsome intensity. Her commitment social activism has never waned. Throughout her career she has used her prolific status and musical flair to advocate against a number of issues such as the Iraq War and the West’s dispassionate attitude to AIDs. These pictures serve to remind us of her everlasting passion and mythic imagination.
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Patti Smith, Introspection
Photo by: Richard McCaffrey
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Patti Smith in the Chelsea Hotel
Photo by: David Gahr
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Patti Smith and Tom Verlaine
Photo by: Waring Abbott
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Patti Smith and Sam Shepard
Photo by: David Gahr
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Patti Smith in Venice
Photo by: © Graziano Arici / Bridgeman Images
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Patti 1971
Photo by: David Gahr
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Patti Smith USA Flag
Photo by: Waring Abbott
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Patti Smith Signing
Photo by: Waring Abbott
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Patti Smith Performs Live In Central Park
Photo by: Richard E. Aaron
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Patti Smith, 1976
Photo by: Richard McCaffrey
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Patti Smith Group Performs At CBGB’s
Photo by: Richard E. Aaron
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Patti Smith Group Live At CBGB’s
Photo by: Richard E. Aaron
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Patti Smith at The Boarding House Nightclub
Photo by: Richard McCaffrey
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Patti Smith Reads Poetry In New York
Photo by: Richard E. Aaron
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Tom And Patti Smith
Photo by: Waring Abbott
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Patti Smith in San Francisco
Photo by: Richard McCaffrey
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Backstage with Patti Smith
Photo by: Richard McCaffrey
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Patti Smith Signing Session
Photo by: Waring Abbott
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