The Importance of Patti Smith's 'Horses' 50 Years Later
Patti Smith's album Horses is approaching its 50th anniversary. This iconic record stands as a powerful symbol of rebellion, artistic freedom, and the early punk rock movement.
Released five decades ago, Horses captured the raw energy of rock ‘n’ roll in a debut that remains strikingly relevant. It represents outsider art, boldly exploring themes like religion and gender, blending quiet reflection with bursts of intensity.
The Punk Rock Context of 1975
At the time of Horses' release, punk was not yet widely recognized as a genre, but a resurgence of rock was growing underground. Bands like Television, The Ramones, and the Patti Smith Group were regulars at the New York dive bar CBGB. Meanwhile, Detroit acts such as MC5 and the Stooges, foundational punk rock influences, were active, alongside New York groups like the New York Dolls and the Velvet Underground.
Patti Smith's Artistic Roots and Early Career
With the soul of a poet, Patti Smith initially performed by reciting her poetry over guitar accompaniment from Lenny Kaye. This evolved with the addition of pianist Richard Sohl. In 1974, she released a single reflecting this poetic style.
"Record executive Clive Davis caught the Patti Smith Group performing at CBGB and signed the band to his new label, Arista Records."
Patti Smith selected John Cale, a Velvet Underground alumnus, to produce Horses. His studio expertise provided much-needed structure to the sessions, balancing the band's unrestrained creativity.
Summary
Horses remains a groundbreaking album that captured the spirit of early punk while blending poetic expression and raw rock energy, influencing generations of artists.