10/12/2025
My name is Patti Smith. I was born in Chicago in 1946 and have made my mark as a poet who chose the guitar over the pen. I grew up surrounded by dreams, books, and a spirit of rebellion, finding inspiration in figures like Rimbaud and Bob Dylan.
In 1967, I moved to New York, where I spent nights sleeping on couches, writing poetry, painting, loving, and surviving. There, I met Robert Mapplethorpe, and together we searched for beauty in imperfection, in art, and in life itself.
In 1975, I released my debut album, Horses. Its iconic cover became a manifesto, and the music delivered an electric shock to the cultural landscape. My voice blends poetry, anger, prayer, and freedom. On stage, I do not simply sing; I invoke, each word striking at the heart of the system.
Songs like Gloria, Because the Night, and People Have the Power became anthems—more than just music, they were rallying cries. Over the years, I have lost friends, lovers, and fellow travelers, but I continue to believe that poetry can change the world.
I have never chased fame, only truth. Titles such as "the priestess of rock" or the fact that I have inspired generations of artists—including Michael Stipe and PJ Harvey—are not what matter most to me. Nor is it important that my verses are now studied as literature.
At my core, I remain Patti Smith—the girl from New York who turned anger into art and vulnerability into strength. I am still here, with my voice and my pen, to remind you that beauty is not found in perfection, but in the courage to keep living.
