I know she was an important figure in the NY scene but I can’t stand her. It’s very fitting then, that she headlined the last show at CBGB’s before the urinals and everything else got packed up and shipped to Las Vegas for what will likely be a very cheesy tourist trap incarnation of CBGB’s. The International Herald Tribune says of Smith:
Smith refused to wax very nostalgic, instead claiming at a pre-show news conference which doubled as a soundcheck that “CBGB’s is a state of mind” that will carry on elsewhere for a new generation. She later noted with relish that CBGB, at 33, was the same age as Jesus.
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Oh god, shut up! Assorted links to CBGB’s stories, including one in China after the jump.
Herald Sun – Australia
Herald Sun – AUSTRALIA
China View – CHINA
Scotsman – SCOTLAND
Leader Post – CANADA
CBC.ca – CANADA
7 comments
Lily Hill
Patti Smith is what ‘Rotten’ suggests, ‘grey long haired washed up old hippie, a voice like hers belongs in a ‘Bells Witch’ movie. I tried and tried to like at least one song she did, but sadly I just couldn’t, every vocal sounds this woman tries to screech out with makes every hair on my body stand up, its so damn irritating that I had to switch off ABC Radio who had a doco about her. Sadly, her name is big and famous, but her voice and appearance leaves a lot to be desired.
Britney65
Patti Smith is the most annoying female voice from Woodstock that I have ever heard !
I can’t understand how she even started the punk movement, I think the punk movement started out on its own without her annoying irritating voice !
brad
the bassist for the Clash banged her, he prolly called her
Patti Smiff
Digthatgroove
Neil doesn’t get the Hard-Ons (must not be Arabic), but he definitely gets Patti Smith.
William
Neil and the author of this article. I am not sure what the point is of this article, but I respect your opinion, but I don’t agree with it. For me, Patti Smith was and is a refreshing voice in music and art. She never compromised or modeled herself within popular culture. She is an inspiring artist, who continues to remain viable well into her middle age. As far as Neil’s comment, quoting Johnny Rotten, Patti is far from washed up. She has only matured within her art form, inspiring countless of new and younger audiences. She has been recognized and awarded for her literary work with the publication of “Just kids”, a powerful book that captured the essence of the early 1970’s music and art scene, and her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. Again, I respect the various opinions here, but I don’t agree,! Perhaps Johnny Rotten, Neil and the author of this article just don’t get her influence and contribution to music and art. Nothing more nothing less.
Chris
Oh come now, your being too harsh! Smith is a poet and is all about metaphor. She lives it. Yes, she has some pretensious qualities that sometimes get me, like wearing Prada and fancy clothes onstage and still calling herself “punk”, BUT she has proven herself to be one of the greats and I agree, CBGBS was a state of mind. Anyplace is a state of mind. It’s the people that make it so. Mabye I’m biased because I’m a fan, but still, I think she put it very well.
House of Neil
what did Rotten call her? A washed up annoying old hippy or something? He was and is 100% correct.