Patti Smith - 25 years on

[Damas]

Just been to see Patti Smith play in Florence.

It's 25 years since the Patti Smith Group played their final concert in Florence, 1979.

Last night, mid concert with just herself in the spotlight and an acoustic guitar (not that she could play it, just a bass line really) she sang, recalling that final concert and day in 79.

It was one of the most captivating and moving things I've seen on stage.

 

[Mole Man]

Never quite got it with her. Haven't seen her live but heard her on Robert Elm's afternoon show on BBC London Live about 2 years ago. She talked interminably about her career in that incredibly serious and boring manner that is usually reserved for Hollywood actors. Then we got a live acoustic performance (Because The Night?) that was simply awful. Elms was sucking up to her of course.

Having said that one of my favourite live TV performances was by her and her band in the 70's on The Old Grey Whistle Test - playing the same song!

Mole Man