Patti Smith’s approach to music centred on emotional impact and uninhibited performance rather than technical perfection. Influenced by artists including Bob Dylan, The Velvet Underground, Jimi Hendrix and Grace Slick, she valued authenticity and expression, helping shape the fierce, confrontational energy later associated with punk.

Smith particularly admired guitarist Johnny Winter, whom she described as one of the greatest performers she had seen. She praised his confrontational style, “demonic humour” and habit of leaping into the audience to sing directly to people; his intensity influenced Smith’s own aggressive early shows and her belief in transforming personal turmoil into artistic strength.