Jersey and became infatuated by music, principally the Rolling
Stones, theVelvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. Her initial talent
focused on poetry and art, while her first major label recording was
a version of a Jim Morrison poem on Ray Manzarek's (both Doors) solo
album. Her early writing, captured on three anthologies, Seventh
Heaven, Kodak and Witt, was inspired by Arthur Rimbaud and William
Burroughs, but as the 70s progressed she was increasingly drawn
towards fusing such work with rock. In 1971, Smith was accompanied by
guitarist Lenny Kaye for a reading in St. Mark's Church, and this
informal liaison continued for three years until the duo was joined
by Richard Sohl (piano) in the first Patti Smith Group. Their debut
recording, "Hey Joe"/"Piss Factory", was in part financed by
photographer Robert Mapplethorpe, later responsible for many of the
artist's striking album portraits. By 1974 the unit had become one of
the most popular acts at New York's pivotal CBGB's club. Ivan Kral
(bass) and J.D. Daugherty (drums) were then added to the line-up
featured on Horses. This highly lauded set, produced by John Cale,
skilfully invoked Smith's 60s mentors but in a celebratory manner. By
simultaneously capturing the fire of punk, Smith completed a
collection welcomed by both old and new audiences.
However, Radio Ethiopia was perceived as self-indulgent and the
artist's career was further undermined when she incurred a broken
neck upon falling off the stage early in 1977. A lengthy recuperation
ensued but Smith re-emerged in July with a series of excellent
concerts, and the following year enjoyed considerable commercial
success with Easter. This powerful set included "Because The Night",
co-written with Bruce Springsteen, which deservedly reached the UK
Top 5, but Wave failed to sustain such acclaim. She had previously
collaborated on three Blue �yster Cult albums, with then partner
Allen Lanier. Patti then married former MC5 guitarist Fred "Sonic"
Smith, and retired from active performing for much of the 80s to
raise a family. She resumed recording in 1988 with Dream Of Life,
which contained the artist's customary call-to-arms idealism ("People
Have The Power") and respect for rock and poetic tradition. Following
a series of tragic events in her life, triggered by the death of her
husband she released what was seen as an exhortation album, Gone
Again. Intense and melancholic, in time it may well be seen as her
best work. Peace And Noise, released the following year, reunited
Smith with Kaye and Daugherty from the Patti Smith Group alongside co-
writer and guitarist Oliver Ray and bass player Tony Shanahan, and
marked a return to the more spiky sound of her earlier material. She
retained the same musicians on the excellent Gung Ho, from
which "Glitter In Their Eyes", "Strange Messengers", and "Boy Cried
Wolf" captured a songwriter still at the peak of her formidable
powers.
some girls are bigger than others
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