On January 29, 2025, Patti Smith, a renowned 78-year-old punk poet and musician, fell during a performance in São Paulo, Brazil. Smith had been battling an intense migraine for several days leading up to the incident.
Smith was taking part in a collaborative project with the Berlin-based experimental sound art group, “Soundwalk Collective,” at the renowned Cultura Artística Theater when the incident occurred.
About 30 minutes into her performance, Smith was reading a piece on the climate crisis when she experienced dizziness and collapsed, hitting her head against the stage and causing her microphone and music stand to fall. Eyewitnesses described it as an unusual scene, but Smith was able to rise unassisted after a few moments.
Medical personnel swiftly attended to Smith, escorting her off the stage in a wheelchair. The Soundwalk Collective reported that Smith wished to continue performing despite her condition, but medical professionals advised her to end the show early. Smith returned briefly to the stage to apologize to her audience, explaining that she was unwell and needed to heed medical advice.
The day after the incident, Smith addressed the incident on Instagram, downplaying what she termed “grossly exaggerated” accounts. She clarified that she was well and had received appropriate medical attention. Smith requested that the incident not be overemphasized in light of the world’s current difficulties.
This is not Smith’s first encounter with health issues during performances. In December 2023, she was briefly hospitalized in Bologna, Italy due to a sudden illness, causing a concert to be canceled. After a short observation period, she was discharged as being in good health.
In 2016, Smith attracted attention when she apologized for seeming to forget the lyrics to Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall” during his Nobel Literature Prize ceremony in Stockholm. Despite these challenges, Smith has had a stellar career, including her induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2021.
Smith’s influential career spans music, literature, and the visual arts. Her debut album “Horses,” released in 1975, is considered a foundational work in the punk rock genre. Smith is also a respected author; her memoir “Just Kids” won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2010, providing a deeply personal account of her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
Smith’s artistic contributions earned her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2005, the French Ministry of Culture awarded her the title of Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Her work in visual arts and activism has solidified her status as a significant figure in contemporary culture.
Looking forward, Smith is slated for recognition at New York’s Carnegie Hall in March 2025, with renowned musicians performing at a tribute concert marking the 50th anniversary of “Horses.” The lineup includes artists such as Michael Stipe, Kim Gordon, and Chrissie Hynde, all celebrating Smith’s impact on modern music.
Despite a lifelong bronchial condition that confined her indoors during the pandemic, Smith has maintained an active performance schedule. She continues to create new work in her 70s, demonstrating her resilience. The “Soundwalk Collective” confirmed that she is now under the care of top doctors and expressed gratitude for the fans’ patience and understanding.