In 1975, Patti Smith created a landmark in music history. Decades later, she was “honoured” to inspire a new generation of female legends
Patti Smith’s 1975 debut album *Horses* challenged expectations of what a female rock star could be, bringing poetry, rawness and vulnerability into her music. The article argues that its influence helped create space for later artists such as PJ Harvey and Alanis Morissette to make their mark.
Smith said she had not fully recognised her impact, but described it as “an extreme honour” and a responsibility. The piece also points to her later work, including *Gone Again*, her writing and collaborations with emerging musicians such as Jeff Buckley, as part of a career built on continuing to connect with audiences.
In short
- *Horses* challenged conventions for women in rock.
- Smith called her influence an honour and responsibility.
- Her work helped open doors for later female artists.
Explained simply
Patti Smith is an American singer, poet and writer who emerged from New York’s music scene in the 1970s. Her debut album, Horses, combined rock with spoken-word poetry and an unpolished vocal style, at a time when women in rock were often expected to fit narrower roles.
The album became a reference point for later musicians, including PJ Harvey and Alanis Morissette, whose work also crossed boundaries between rock, personal writing and performance. Smith’s wider career has included albums, books and collaborations with younger artists, linking her influence to both music and poetry.