Patti Smith and Friends Trivia Quiz

Answer: Lenny Kaye

Lenny Kaye and Patti Smith began their musical journey together in 1971 after meeting at a poetry reading. Their collaboration officially began in 1972 when Kaye joined the Patti Smith Group as guitarist. The duo, along with the band, played a prominent role in the early punk rock scene.

Kaye's guitar work with the Patti Smith Group was featured prominently on their debut album "Horses", released in 1975. Produced by John Cale, the album is considered a landmark in punk and alternative rock history. The collaboration continued with the albums "Radio Ethiopia" (1976) and "Easter" (1978), each contributing to the evolving sound of punk rock.

Notable songs co-written by Kaye and Smith include "Redondo Beach", "Radio Ethiopia" and "Till Victory". The Patti Smith Group toured extensively during this period, further establishing their influence on the punk and rock scenes.

While their formal collaboration slowed after the 1970s, Lenny Kaye and Patti Smith remained connected through occasional projects and performances but the impact of their work together extends far beyond the years of their active collaboration.

Answer: Bob Dylan

The Rolling Thunder Revue was a concert tour organised by Bob Dylan. It took place in two parts in 1975 and 1976 and marked a departure from Dylan's previous tours. This legendary tour featured an ensemble of musicians and performers including Joan Baez, Roger McGuinn, Joni Mitchell, Ronee Blakely and Ramblin' Jack Elliott, creating a fusion of folk and rock styles.

The performances were characterised by their intimate, small venue settings, which fostered a unique connection between performer and audience. The Rolling Thunder Revue was known for its spontaneity, with musicians collaborating and improvising on stage. It also incorporated elaborate costumes and theatrical elements. Documented in the film "Renaldo and Clara", the tour remains a culturally significant moment in rock music history, showcasing Dylan's creative evolution and the talents of those who joined him on the road.

Bob Dylan invited Patti Smith to join him on the Rolling Thunder Revue tour. As she was not interested in performing in a country/folk milieu, she declined Dylan's invitation. Although Patti Smith and Bob Dylan didn't tour together at the time, their paths would cross in various ways throughout their careers.

Bob Dylan, an iconic figure in folk and rock, has had a profound impact on the music industry and was later awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016 for his poetic contributions.

Answer: Jay Dee Daugherty

Jay Dee Daugherty joined the Patti Smith Group as drummer in 1975, marking a significant milestone in the band's history. His energetic and precise drumming style contributed to the group's distinctive sound and helped define the punk rock genre. Daugherty's collaboration with Patti Smith led to the creation of her seminal 1975 debut album "Horses", which received widespread acclaim and cemented their status as icons of the punk movement.

Prior to joining the Patti Smith Group, Jay Dee Daugherty was a member of The Mumps, a New York-based band formed in the early 1970s. Along with high school friends Lance Loud and Kristian Hoffman, Daugherty gained experience as a drummer and songwriter, honing his skills and laying the groundwork for his future success in the music industry. He went on to work with the likes of Tom Verlaine, John Cale, The Church and The Waterboys.

Answer: John Cale

John Cale is a Welsh musician, composer and record producer known for his diverse contributions to rock, drone, classical, avant-garde and electronic music over a career spanning six decades. Born in Garnant, Wales, Cale's early exposure to music led him to study at Goldsmiths College, University of London, before moving to New York City in 1963, where he immersed himself in the downtown music scene.

Cale first came to prominence as a founding member of the Velvet Underground, a pioneering American rock band. During his tenure with the band, influential albums such as "The Velvet Underground & Nico" and "White Light/White Heat" were released. However, creative differences led to his departure in 1968. Cale embarked on a prolific solo career, releasing acclaimed albums such as "Paris 1919" and "Music for a New Society". At the same time, he established himself as an in-demand producer, working with a wide range of artists including the Stooges and David Bowie.

One notable partnership was with punk poet Patti Smith. Cale played a crucial role in shaping Smith's debut album, "Horses", released in 1975. Patti Smith initially suggested that the album be produced by Tom Dowd, but complications arose due to Dowd's relationship with rival label Atlantic Records. Smith had a change of heart and hired John Cale to produce the album instead. Impressed by the raw sound of Cale's solo albums, Smith sought his involvement. Cale, who had seen Smith perform live and knew her bassist Ivan Král, accepted the offer.

Differences in work ethics between Cale, an experienced recording artist, and Smith, who was primarily a live performer at the time, became apparent early on and led to tensions between the two artists, resulting in frequent arguments in the studio. Cale wanted to add strings to the band's playing on certain songs, but Smith was vehemently opposed to the idea. Tensions escalated during the final recording session. Towards the end of the recording, Smith downplayed Cale's contributions, suggesting that she and her band had completely ignored his suggestions.

In a 1976 interview with "Rolling Stone", Smith described her experience and expressed regret over her choice of producer. Cale, however, saw Smith as someone who could handle any situation and wanted to capture the energy of her live performances in the studio. Their working relationship was described as confrontational but ultimately fruitful, with Smith acknowledging Cale's tenacity and ability to bring out the best in her "youthful and honest flaws" through his production on "Horses".

Answer: Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen, often referred to as "The Boss", is a legendary figure in rock music, known for his poetic lyrics, electrifying stage presence and blue-collar ethos. Born in New Jersey in 1949, he rose to fame in the 1970s with albums such as "Born to Run" and "Darkness on the Edge of Town", which captured the struggles and aspirations of working-class Americans. Springsteen's music, a blend of rock, folk and Americana, resonated with audiences and earned him critical acclaim and a devoted fan base.

His collaboration with Patti Smith further solidified his influence. In 1978, Springsteen penned the song "Because the Night" and initially intended it for his album "Darkness on the Edge of Town". However, he eventually decided not to include it. Recognising its potential, he offered the song to Smith, who reworked the lyrics and released it on her album "Easter". The song became both a commercial success and a rock anthem. It reached the top of the charts in numerous countries.

The song's popularity continued through covers, including a chart-topping acoustic version by 10,000 Maniacs for "MTV Unplugged" in 1993. Recognised for its impact, "Because the Night" was voted one of the greatest singles of all time by the NME and Rolling Stone. Although not entirely happy with the song, Springsteen accepted its development and often performed it live together with Patti Smith.

Answer: Todd Rundgren

Todd Rundgren, born in 1948, is a multi-talented musician, songwriter and producer from Upper Darby, PA. Rundgren's musical journey began in the 1960s with the band Nazz, where he contributed as a guitarist, singer and songwriter. But it was his solo career that really brought him into the limelight. Rundgren's solo work is known for its experimental and innovative production techniques. Albums such as "Something/Anything?" (1972) and "A Wizard, a True Star" (1973) fused pop melodies with psychedelic and progressive elements.

In addition to his solo work, Rundgren became renowned for his production work, shaping the sound of numerous iconic albums by artists such as Meat Loaf ("Bat Out of Hell"), The Band ("Stage Fright") and XTC ("Skylarking").

During the recording of her 1979 album "Wave", Patti Smith collaborated with Todd Rundgren, who brought his production expertise to the project. Rundgren's style helped shape the sound of the album, which combined elements of rock and punk with experimental touches. This collaboration showcased Rundgren's ability to adapt to different musical genres and push artistic boundaries. The album was critically acclaimed, but wasn't as successful as Patti Smith's previous albums.

The band broke up after the album's release, and frontwoman Patti Smith took a nine-year hiatus before releasing her next album, "Dream of Life", in 1988.

Answer: Fred "Sonic" Smith

Fred "Sonic" Smith (1949-1994) was an American guitarist and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the Detroit-based rock band MC5. Smith's guitar style was characterised by aggressive riffing and feedback-laden solos and shaped the band's distinctive sound. Beyond his musical contributions, Smith was deeply involved in the countercultural movements of the 1960s and 1970s, advocating for social change and civil rights.

His partnership with Patti Smith fuelled her creative output, inspiring albums such as "Wave" (1979) and "Dream of Life" (1988), on which Fred contributed guitar and songwriting. They married in 1980, and after the birth of their children Jackson and Jesse, Patti took a break from recording to pursue a part-time job as a bookseller in Detroit. Fred's untimely death from a heart attack in 1994 affected Patti deeply and led her to refocus on her music. She released critically acclaimed albums such as 1996's "Gone Again", reaffirming her status as a legendary artist.

Answer: Bob Dylan

Despite its name, the "Never Ending Tour" has undergone many changes and developments over the years. Dylan's performances are characterised by their unpredictability, with set lists that vary from night to night and arrangements that often offer fresh interpretations of his extensive catalogue.

Launched in 1988, the tour was originally intended to support Dylan's latest album, "Down in the Groove", but has become an ongoing series of concerts, with Dylan and his band performing around 100 shows a year in venues ranging from intimate theatres to large arenas and outdoor festivals.

Patti Smith joined the 1995 edition of the tour for a couple of concerts in the northeastern United States. Dylan made her an amazing offer when he invited her to open for him on the final dates of his 1995 tour.

"He gave me the opportunity to pick any song from his catalogue and we could do it together", she later told Rolling Stone magazine. "So I looked through his lyric book and realised what a profound opportunity this was. This was somebody that I had adored and admired since I was 15 years old, and he was giving me the opportunity to sing one of his songs with him. So I chose "Dark Eyes" and Bob and I sang it for the next few days."

The tour came at a very difficult time for Smith. Her husband Fred "Sonic" Smith had died the previous year and she was returning to the stage after a 17-year absence.

Answer: R.E.M.

R.E.M. were an influential alternative rock band from Athens, Georgia, known for their poetic lyrics, melodic sound and pioneering role in the indie and college rock scene. They emerged as one of the most influential bands in the alternative rock movement of the 1980s and 1990s. Michael Stipe, the band's lead singer, has openly cited Patti Smith as a major influence on R.E.M.'s music and ethos.

In 1996, Stipe collaborated with Patti Smith on the song "E-Bow the Letter", which appeared on R.E.M.'s album "New Adventures in Hi-Fi". Smith's contribution to the song goes beyond her vocals. She also participated in the songwriting process.

Smith also appeared in the accompanying music video for "E-Bow the Letter". Directed by Jem Cohen, the video incorporates dreamlike imagery and impressionistic scenes that complement the song's ethereal soundscapes. Although "E-Bow the Letter" failed to achieve significant chart success, it received critical acclaim for its innovative composition and poignant lyrics.

Answer: Tom Verlaine

Tom Verlaine is best known as the lead guitarist, vocalist and primary songwriter for the influential New York City rock band Television. Formed in the mid-1970s, Television played a pivotal role in the development of punk rock and alternative rock music. The band released critically acclaimed albums such as "Marquee Moon" (1977), considered one of the greatest albums of the punk and post-punk era.

In the 1970s, Tom Verlaine collaborated with Patti Smith, playing guitar on her debut single "Hey Joe" and on "Break It Up" from her debut album "Horses" (1975). In 1996, Verlaine played on Smith's songs "Fireflies" and "Summer Cannibals" from her album "Gone Again". Later, in 2000, he played on "Glitter in Their Eyes" from her Grammy-nominated album "Gung Ho". In 2005, Verlaine joined Smith for a 30th anniversary concert of "Horses", performing the album in its entirety. The concert was later released on CD.