Albums: Easter, Radio Ethiopia, Wave

Patricia Lee Smith (born December 30, 1946 in Chicago) is an American singer-songwriter, poet and artist. She was influential in the birth of punk rock with her 1975 debut album Horses which was produced by John Cale. Its iconic album cover portrait, taken by longtime friend Robert Mappelthorpe, set off a slew of androgynous female style trends.

She was featured, alongside young Smith-influenced models in a 2010 issue of the New York Times Fashion Magazine Section. Called "Godmother of Punk" she integrated the beat poetry performance style with three-chord rock. Among her most vocal admirers are Michael Stipe of R.E.M. and U2's Bono.

She has sinced released 10 more albums, including a 2-cd collection with extras, plus a re-mastered re-issue of "Horses" including a current, live recording of the album in its entirety. Smith performed the closing show at the New York Bowery's original CBGB's, where she and her band; Talking Heads; The Ramones; Blondie; and Television; among other young punk bands got their feet wet (presumably with beer). She was a dear friend and admirer of Beat writer William Burroughs, and a friend and collaborator with Bob Dylan.

Her muses were the French poet Arthur Rimbaud, opera singer Maria Callas, and comedian Johnny Carson. On Dec. 31, 2010, she celebrated her 64th birthday by performing her annual New Year's Eve concert at St.

Mark's Cathedral in New York City. She has received the Medal of the French Commander of Arts and Letters, along with many distinguished artists, writers, and poets. A documentary film about Patti Smith, her life, art, poetry, music, and family, "Patti Smith- Dream Of Life," filmed and produced by Stephen Sebring, was released in 2008, and shown on PBS' show P.O.V., to much acclaim.

It won many film-making awards.

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