Patti Smith’s groundbreaking debut has influenced generations of musicians. But it took a producer four years to persuade Smith to enter the studio. As the album approaches its 50th birthday, Fiona Sturges reflects on how Smith overcame the misogyny of the time and pays tribute to a masterpiece that very nearly didn’t get made
Patti Smith's debut album, *Horses*, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with tribute concerts and performances by Smith herself. Released in 1975, *Horses* bridged punk rock and poetry, influencing musicians and establishing Smith as a pioneering female rock artist. The album, featuring musicians like Tom Verlaine and recorded at Electric Lady Studios, is considered culturally significant and helped ignite the New York punk scene.