70’s Icon Patti Smith Inducted into the Hall of Fame

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

The 22nd annual Rock n Roll Hall of Fame ceremony was held last night. Among this year’s inductees was 70’s icon Patti Smith.

Patty Smith is the perfect symbol of the 70’s artsy life.  She dropped out of college to go to Paris, France. In Paris, she survived by doing street performance. After Paris, she moved to New York City. In New York, Smith was inspired by and in awe of the rock poet Bob Dylan.  In an attempt to be like her idol, Smith took up writing poetry. She lived in the back rooms of the coffee houses she would play at.

Her unique style of rock poetry caught on. Smith signed her first record deal in 1974. Her first big label release, the album Horses, did moderately well on the charts. However, it created a unique following of future generation of rock n’ rollers including the likes of Bruce Springsteen and U2.

Smith’s biggest hit was one which was recorded by Bruce Springsteen, Because the Night.  Few people realize that this song was co-written by Springsteen and Smith.  Rock band U2 introduced Smith’s music to a new generation when they recorded their version of Smith’s song, Dancing Barefoot.  Smith seemed disappointed with U2’s version of the song. When asked about Smith’s less than polite remarks about their rendition, U2 front man, Bono, said that he would expect nothing less from Smith.

Smith held back tears Monday night when she was inducted into the Hall of Fame. She said that she had promised her late husband that she would not curse during her induction speech. She dedicated her award to both her late husband and her late mother.

Monday night’s ceremony was the first to be broadcast live (on AOL and VH1 Classics). Other inductees included Van Halen and REM.