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by Kyle Sanders
Patti Smith is one of the most extraordinary icons in music history. In 1975, her debut album Horses introduced the world to an artist of raw talent and hypnotic energy who would serve as a major contributing component to the punk movement in New York City. Not easily placed within a specific genre, her mix of poetry and rock music defined her as an artist among few peers, yet would lay the groundwork for other aspiring musicians to follow.
Having recently performed at the Nobel Prize ceremony in honor of Bob Dylan, it's difficult to imagine that she's turning seventy on December 30th. A Chicago native, Patricia Lee Smith was born during a huge snowstorm on a day which she claims her father had to help a taxi driver navigate the treacherous conditions of Lake Shore Drive while her mother was in labor. To celebrate her seventieth year of life, Smith will be performing at the Riviera Theater with her band and grown children backing her eclectic set list. In honor of her birthday, here's a list of seven (one track per decade, naturally) essential tracks from Smith's extensive discography:
Patti's love song that "ignites the light in a single name" for husband Fred "Sonic" Smith. Patti isn't known for writing songs that are romantic in the literal sense, but it's hard to deny her yearning of the late MC5 guitarist on this track, oozing a sense of desperate longing between two lovers living miles apart. This longing would be the reason why she would leave New York City for Detroit, and considering how synonymous Smith is with the NYC punk scene, that love was incredibly strong.
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2016. Our next list is from DJ Mauricio Reyes. I miss Prince. |
Maybe you knew that The Monkees celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2016, and maybe you knew they released their twelfth record Good Times! earlier this year, but did you know that TWO of the four Monkees were born on this day?
Today on the MP3 Shuffle, we celebrate the birthday of both David Thomas "Davy" Jones (30 December 1945 – 29 February 2012) and Robert Michael Nesmith (born December 30, 1942). To mark this day and celebrate the birthdays of 50% of the pre-fab four, let’s play the shuffle. Grab your MP3 player or electronic device of your choice, press the shuffle button, and share the first 10 songs that play (in the comments below):
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2016. Our next list is from DJ and Board Member Emeritus Tony Breed.
What a year it's been! A complicated and difficult year, and a year that's generated a lot of complicated and difficult music. Or maybe that's just what resonated for me this year. |
Throughout December, CHIRP Radio presents its volunteers’ top albums of 2016. Our next list is from DJ Joe Held. These are my favorite albums of 2016. They are the ones that I've enjoyed listening to the most. I think all of them are full of very good music - not just a few good songs on each one. |