
Quick quiz; what first formed the basis of your understanding of
Patti Smith?
A. Her twisted, poetic mutation of rock n' roll on early songs like "Pissing in the River"
B. Her top 20 hit that she co-wrote with Bruce Springsteen, "Because the Night".
C. Gilda Radner's gob-smacking impersonation of her (as "Candy Slice") on SNL.
D. Her "totally awesome" eighties pop hit "The Warrior" with Scandal.
No way
If you chose A give yourself 20 Rock Nerd Points, for B take 5 RNP, for C take 1 and as for D, well the eighties was a looong time ago but if you STILL think that song is by the same woman that's -100 RNP's. (My answer? C naturally, and I am not ashamed because Gilda Radner (R.I.P), possibly the most gifted performer in the obscenely-talented Not Ready For Prime Time Players would be my nominee for Woman With the Greatest Right To Kick
Christopher Hitchens in the Balls."

Here's a live Patti set from '79, certainly one of her peaks.
The Poet Princess Of The Parking Lot link is in the comments(A SECOND LINK - SCROLL DOWN IN THE COMMENTS - HAS BEEN ADDED FOR ANYONE EXPERIENCING TROUBLE WITH THE FIRST ONE!)
Speaking of comments, tell us about your first encounter with Patti Smith.
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