Quick Facts
| Canonical Name | Patti Smith |
| Born | December 30, 1946 |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Country | United States |
| Occupations | singer-songwriter, poet, visual artist, human rights defender, writer, guitarist, singer, composer, musician, draftsperson, photographer, performance artist, recording artist, rock singer, rock musician, film director |
| Instruments | guitar, clarinet, voice |
| Gender | female |
| Genres | rock music, proto-punk, post-punk, art rock, garage rock, glam rock, new york punk, pop rock, punk rock, rock, singer-songwriter |
| Associated Acts | Patti Smith Group |
| Active Years | Active since 1971 |
| Website | www.pattismith.net |
Identity and Aliases
Biography
Patti Smith is an American singer, songwriter, poet, and artist whose career has been closely identified with the Patti Smith Group. Born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1946, she came to prominence from 1971 onward with work that bridged rock music, poetry, and performance art.
Her songs and writing have been associated with rock, proto-punk, post-punk, art rock, garage rock, glam rock, punk rock, and pop rock. Alongside vocals, she is linked to guitar and clarinet, and her wider creative work extends into writing, visual art, photography, and film direction.
Smith’s catalog includes the influential Horses, released in 1975, as well as later albums such as Dream of Life, Gone Again, Peace and Noise, Gung Ho, Trampin’, Banga, and several releases from the 2010s and 2020s. Her career also connects with a number of recordings and catalogued releases that reflect the breadth of her work across music and the spoken word.
Career Timeline
Musical Roles
Patti Smith is a singer-songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, and composer whose work sits at the meeting point of rock and poetry. She is associated with singing, music composing, and creative writing as part of a broad artistic practice.
Bands and Projects
Releases and Appearances
MusicBrainz lists several release entries connected to Patti Smith. These entries may include solo releases, guest appearances, live recordings, and catalogued metadata records.
MusicBrainz-listed Releases and Appearances
Recorded Performances & Appearances
MusicBrainz-listed recording entries connected to Patti Smith include:
Musical Style and Instruments
Smith’s music is associated with rock music, proto-punk, post-punk, art rock, garage rock, glam rock, New York punk, pop rock, punk rock, and singer-songwriter traditions. Her artistic profile also reflects a strong poetic and performance-driven approach.
Genres
Instruments
Collaborations and Guest Relationships
External Identifiers & Authority Control
Patti Smith’s official website is pattismith.net, and she is also represented by identifiers across MusicBrainz, Discogs, Spotify, IMDb, VIAF, ISNI, GND, and the Library of Congress.
Semantic Graph Data (Knowledge Graph)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Patti Smith best known for working with?
A: Patti Smith is best known for her work with the Patti Smith Group. That association is central to her identity as a musician and performer.
Q: What kind of artist is Patti Smith?
A: She is an American singer-songwriter, poet, writer, and visual artist. Her career also includes performance art, photography, and film direction.
Q: Where was Patti Smith born?
A: Patti Smith was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Her birth date is December 30, 1946.
Q: What instruments is Patti Smith associated with?
A: She is associated with guitar, clarinet, and voice. Those instruments sit alongside her work as a vocalist and songwriter.
Q: Which styles are associated with Patti Smith?
A: Her work is associated with rock music, proto-punk, post-punk, art rock, garage rock, glam rock, New York punk, pop rock, and punk rock. Her sound is often discussed in relation to singer-songwriter traditions as well.
Q: What is one of Patti Smith’s best-known albums?
A: Horses, released in 1975, is one of the key albums associated with Patti Smith. It appears prominently in her catalogued releases.
Q: What are some later Patti Smith albums?
A: Later releases associated with Patti Smith include Dream of Life, Gone Again, Peace and Noise, Gung Ho, Trampin’, Banga, and Correspondences, Volume Two. Her catalog spans several decades.
Q: What is Patti Smith’s official website?
A: Her official website is pattismith.net. It is the main web presence associated with her name.