Critical Influences: Patti Smith

By Stewart Mason

More than any other poet turned rocker, Patti Smith fused the two disciplines: she's both a gifted wordsmith and one of the most compelling live performers rock and roll has ever seen. In honor of Just Kids, her memoir of life in New York's underground art scene of the early '70s, here's 11 of Patti Smith's influences and friends, plus one of her most iconic songs.

CRITICAL LIST
Wilson Pickett Land of 1000 Dances
Them Gloria
Love Hey Joe
The Who My Generation
The Doors Moonlight Drive
The Holy Modal Rounders Bird Song
John Cale Paris 1919
Television Venus
Blue Oyster Cult Career of Evil
Richard Hell and the Voidoids Blank Generation
The Jim Carroll Band People Who Died
The Patti Smith Group Land

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Critical Influences: Patti Smith

Wilson Pickett

Them

Love

The Who

The Doors

The Holy Modal Rounders

John Cale

Television

Blue Oyster Cult

Richard Hell and the Voidoids

The Jim Carroll Band

The Patti Smith Group

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