Patti Smith – in concert, Hamburg Germany – August 1, 1996 – NDR (North German Radio) –
Patti Smith in concert this weekend – from a North German Radio broadcast of August 1, 1996 – it only seems fitting and appropriate that, on this of all days, Patti Smith, a voice for a generation of Women and an inspiration for countless other artists, be featured today.
Often referred to as the “Punk Poet Laureate“, Patti Smith established an indelible presence during the mid-70s emerging Punk scene in New York. But went on to become an ardent anti-War protestor and a campaigner for Human rights.
After a period of semi-retirement in the 1980s largely brought on by motherhood and the unexpected death of several people close to her, Smith re-emerged, picking up where she left off and has continued recording, concertizing, writing and protesting.
In the years since, she has been the recipient of countless awards and accolades starting with a Grammy, and since then everything from Ordre des Arts Lettres to winning the Polar Music Prize in recognition of “devoting her life to art in all its forms, she has demonstrated how much rock’n’roll there is in poetry and how much poetry there is in rock’n’roll. Patti Smith is a Rimbaud with Marshall amps. She has transformed the way an entire generation looks, thinks and dreams. With her inimitable soul of an artist, Patti Smith proves over and over again that people have the power.”
So it’s only natural that she be included in this day of protest and solidarity, as one of the many Women who have made an inestimable difference in the lives of others.
Here is her concert from Hamburg Germany, given on August 1, 1996 at the Markthalle, broadcast and preserved by North Germany Radio.
Crank it up and celebrate.
Many thanks for this – you can never have enough Patti, and she’s a voice we need at the moment.