Patti Smith and her Band in concert. Seattle, November 2025, the 50th year anniversary of her book, Horses.
The concert was held at the Paramount Theater. As the theater is 97 years old, it has no elevators. As our seats were two rows from the very top, it necessitated our climbing many steps. Eighty-seven steps to be exact. A passing gentleman told me I was his hero.
The real hero was Patti Smith.
For two hours she sang, read her poetry, sang her poetry. It was powerful!
“Looking around, every fan was dancing as though they were completely alone and embodying the most carefree version of themselves.” Audrey Vann.
“The show connected with a wide range of generations, and Smith’s message of rebellion, poetry, and power to the people resonated strongly.”
“Waving goodbye to the crowd as she finished singing Because the Night, Smith and company returned for the encore, dedicating Elegies to Jimi Hendrix, as well as the 29 crew members killed on the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, which sank on the same day that Horses was released in 1975.”
“People Have the Power closed the show, leaving the audience all riled up and ready to make change in the world—or so Patti and her late husband Fred had hoped when they wrote it. ‘He hoped that it would excite and incite people to march and to use their voice.’”
The people have the power
The people have the power
The power to dream, to rule
to wrestle the world from fools
it’s decreed the people rule
it’s decreed the people rule
we have the power
People have the power
we have the power…
Amen!
Cometsgirl 
IndeedSent from my iPhonePlease forgive typos
LikeLike
Wow! What a great post—and wonderful concert, Ginny! Thank you so much for sharing! She sounds like someone I would love to hear! We all need to get inspired and riled up! John and I just got back from a week away—our last day, we spent at Bethel Woods where the Woodstock festival was held. It was a fabulous exhibition and took us back to the ’60’s. I said to John that this is what we need right now—musicians to get everyone united and riled up again. Songs like “We Shall Overcome” and “This Land is Your Land”. Singing and marching together.
I also loved your description of your time with your grandson—your grandchildren are so lucky to have you as their grandmother — so caring and tuned into them —so connected!
Love, Beth
>
LikeLike
AAaaaaaaaamen.
GHB
LikeLike