07 July 2008

Punk

Greil Marcus' Lipstick Traces quotes Pete Townsend describing his first Sex Pistols show. I can't give you the exact quote because I've packed the book away, but I can get close. Townsend says that there he was, the crowd going berserk, the band going berserk, and he was suddenly shocked by the realization that this was actually happening.

In that spirit, I give you Patti Smith singing “You Light Up My Life” for an audience of children.

Bonus: I also have the Smiths on British kids' show Charlie's Bus. And David Bowie singing “I've Got You, Babe” with Marianne Faithful in his last performance as Ziggy Stardust.

2 comments:

Memory Echoes said...

Miniver, bless your pointed little head. I needed that.

Hail Patti Smith, Punk Rock Goddess, Poet Supreme! Lover of life, Warrior for life, hail.

Unknown said...

Yeah, that was extraordinary. Did she almost say "shit," then recover? Loved the way she strutted around the stage. Totally charismatic.