Fabulous Friday: Patti Smith

I'll hand it over to Howard:

People always talk about a record that “changed my life”. As a decades-long record junkie, I will tell you that Every record changes my life, but there was one that really set me reeling forever.

In 1976 I was a Partridge Family fan and listened to a lot of WLS AM radio. Then Patti Smith was on Saturday Night one week and my musical world imploded. That next week I snuck some of my silver dollar collection out of the house and bought her debut, Horses at the local Ben Franklin Five and Dime. I was, in that moment, emotionally, poetically and energetically diverted into the world of punk and progressive, transgressive rock.

Primarily a poet, Patti formed a band and hit NYC square across the jaw. She fit right in with Television, Dead Boys, NY Dolls and the other bands forging a new valiant path to a new grungy glory. She has since become a sage for generations yearning for justice and beauty in an ugly and unjust world.

Years later she read my silver dollar story on IG and wished me a happy birthday. What a joy. A true and illuminated hero, she continues to shine and inspire. As she once wrote, People Have The Power.