Patti Smith is a poet, author and punk rock singer-songwriter. Her nickname is “Godmother of Punk” (Joan Jett has the same nickname), whereas she calls herself a “punk poet laureate”. She got famous with her song “Because the Night” which she wrote together with Bruce Springsteen for her then-boyfriend Fred to whom she got married.

Band members

Current

Patti Smith – vocals, guitar (1974–1979, 1988, 1996–present)

Lenny Kaye – guitar (1974–1979, 1996–present)
Jackson Smith – guitar (2016–present)
Tony Shanahan – bass guitar, keyboards (1996–present)
Jay Dee Daugherty – drums (1975–1979, 1988, 1996–present)

Former

Richard Sohl – keyboards (1974–1977, 1979, 1988)
Ivan Kral – bass guitar (1975–1979)
Bruce Brody – keyboards (1977–1978)
Fred “Sonic” Smith – guitar (1988)
Kasim Sulton – bass guitar (1988)
Oliver Ray – guitar (1996–2005)
Jack Petruzzelli – guitar (2006–2016)