(1946 on) – Musician/ Poet/ Author

Patricia Lee Smith is an American singer, songwriter, poet, painter and author who became an influential component of the New York City punk rock movement with her 1975 debut album Horses. Called the ‘punk poet laureate’, Smith fused rock and poetry in her work. Her most widely known song is ‘Because the Night’, which was co-written with Bruce Springsteen. It reached number thirteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1978 and number five in the UK. In 2005, Smith was named a Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture. In 2007, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2010, Smith won the National Book Award for her memoir Just Kids. 

Patti’s feminism, music and philosophy has inspired me since the age of twelve when I first danced to ‘Because the Night’ at the CHE (Campaign for Homosexual Equality) disco in my hometown.

Lucy Davies

Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patti_Smith