Patti Smith: America's Punk Rock Rhapsodist (Tempo: A Rowman & Littlefield Music Series on Rock, Pop, and Culture)

Nicknamed the "Godmother of Punk," Patti Smith rose to fame during the 1970s New York counterculture movement where she welcomed a new breed of rock and roll. Smith sanctioned the presence of a strong-willed woman in the mainstream rock community by breaking not only the fragile glass ceiling, but also the "rules" about women on the rock stage. Smith pushed right up to the front of the punk scene, stripping down sexual, religious, and emotional barriers to create a raw, viscerally personal message. In Patti Smith: America's Punk Rock Rhapsodist, musician and historian Eric Wendell delves into the volatile mix of religious upbringing and musical and literary influences that gave shape to Smith's lyrics, music, and artistic output. Wendell explores how Smith's androgynous stage presence pulled the various societal triggers, adding a new layer of meaning to popular music performance. Songwriter and singer, performance artist and poet, Smith created work that drew together biography, history, and music into a powerful collage of an artist who shaped a generation of musicians. For poets and performers, as well as fans of Patti Smith and punk rock history, Patti Smith: America's Punk Rock Rhapsodist is the perfect introduction to Smith's achievements and the politics and art of a generation that is still felt. Nicknamed the Godmother of Punk, Patti Smith's rise during the 1970s New York counterculture movement welcomed a new breed of rock and roll. Smith sanctioned the presence of a strong-willed woman in the mainstream rock community by not only breaking the fragile glass ceiling, but by breaking the rules then current about women on the rock stage. Smith pushed right up to the front of the punk scene, stripping down sexual, religious and emotional barriers to create a raw, viscerally personal message. In Patti Smith: America's Punk Rock Rhapsodist musician and historian Eric Wendell delves into the volatile mix of religious upbringing and musical and literary influences that gave shape to Smith's lyrics, music and artistic output. Wendell explores how Smith's androgynous stage presence pulled the various societal triggers, adding a new layer of meaning to popular music performance. Songwriter and singer, performance artist and poet, the work draws together biography, history, and music into a powerful collage of an artist who shaped a generation of musicians. For poets and performers, fans of Patti Smith and punk rock history, Patti Smith: America's Punk Rock Rhapsodist is the perfect introduction to her achievements and the politics and art of a generation that is still felt In Patti Smith: America's Punk Rock Rhapsodist, Musician And Historian Eric Wendell Delves Into The Volatile Mix Of Religious Upbringing And Musical And Literary Influences That Gave Shape To Smith's Lyrics, Music, And Artistic Output. Wendell Explores How Smith's Androgynous Stage Presence Pulled The Various Societal Triggers, Adding A New Layer Of Meaning To Popular Music Performance. Songwriter And Singer, Performance Artist And Poet, Smith Created Work That Drew Together Biography, History, And Music Into A Powerful Collage Of An Artist Who Shaped A Generation Of Musicians. Introduction. Sophistication, Shock, Subtly -- For The Bible Tells Me So : 1946-1967 -- Free Money : 1967-1974 -- With Love We Sleep : 1974-1975 -- Till Victory : 1975-1978 -- So You Want To Be A Rock 'n' Roll Star? : 1978-1986 -- I Was Looking For You : 1986-1994 -- With A Strange Way Of Walking And A Strange Way Of Breathing : 1994-1996 -- Don't Say Nothing : 1997-2000 -- New Party : 2001-2009 -- Just Patti : 2010-present. Eric Wendell. Includes Bibliographical References, Discography, And Index. Introduction. Sophistication, shock, subtly "For the Bible tells me so" : 1946-1967 "Free money" : 1967-1974 "With love we sleep" : 1974-1975 "Till victory" : 1975-1978 "So you want to be (A rock 'n' roll star)? : 1978-1986 "I was looking for you" : 1986-1994 "With a strange way of walking and a strange way of breathing" : 1994-1996 "Don't say nothing" : 1996-2000 "New party" : 2000-2010 "Just Patti" : 2010-present.