She is an icon who survived stormy oceans, she is a priestess of rock who, over forty years of amazing career, interpreted her world in all art forms: photography, poetry, writing, painting, sculpture, leaving an indelible sign on all forms of creative expression. Loved, debated, powerful idealist, Patti Smith is a myth of rock and one of the most influential artists ever. Her charisma hypnotized millions, and she grew into a shaman of sorts, and if rock is an undying ritual, there couldn’t be a better priestess to celebrate it. That’s what earned her a place in the history of music. Patricia Lee Smith was born in Chicago in 1946. In 1950, she moved with her family to Philadelphia, and then to New Jersey. The eldest of four siblings, Patti was a shy kid. Nobody thought she would grow into a rockstar.

“When I was a kid, I had an absolute swagger about the future […] I wasn’t attractive, I wasn’t very verbal, I wasn’t very smart in school. I wasn’t anything that showed the world I was something special, but I had this tremendous hope all the time. I had this tremendous spirit that kept me going… I was a happy child, because I had this feeling that I was going to go beyond my body physical… I just knew it.” Back in the 1960s, in her early twenties, Patti Smith moved to New York to find her voice. The rest is history, from her much-gossiped relationship with Robert Maplethorpe to her first gigs at CBGB in the Lower East Side, to her contract with Arista Records, to the release of Horses, one of the best rock albums ever. Often cited as inspiration by fellow rockers like Michael Stipe, Morrissey, Johnny Marr (The Smiths), Madonna, and U2, her songs People Have The Power, Gloria, Dancing Barefoot, and Because The Night are milestones of rock music. Even today, at the tender age of 77, we can follow her on tour. Enjoy her concerts one last time, they’re really worth it.