Punk poet laureate Patti Smith will celebrate the 50th anniversary of her groundbreaking debut album “Horses” with a worldwide tour, marking her first full performances of the record in 20 years. The announcement comes as Smith recovers from recent health challenges that saw her briefly hospitalized in Brazil, according to Rolling Stone.
“Please join us to help celebrate the final ride of our irreverent thoroughbred,” Smith stated in announcing the tour, which launches October 6 at Dublin’s 3Arena before traversing Europe and North America through late November.
The 78-year-old Rock & Roll Hall of Famer will be joined by original “Horses” contributors Lenny Kaye on guitar and Jay Dee Daugherty on drums, alongside longtime collaborator Tony Shanahan on keyboards and her son Jackson Smith who plays some awesome guitars.
Following the European leg, which includes two-night stands in London, Brussels and Paris, the North American portion begins November 10 at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. The tour concludes with performances in major cities including Los Angeles, Chicago, and a two-night hometown stand at New York’s Beacon Theatre before wrapping in Philadelphia on November 29.
Prior to the tour, Smith will be celebrated at Carnegie Hall on March 26 with an all-star tribute featuring Michael Stipe, Kim Gordon, Karen O, and others performing songs from her catalog.
“Horses,” released in 1975, is preserved in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry for its cultural and artistic significance. The album merged poetry with punk rock, establishing Smith as a pivotal figure in American music.
Presale tickets begin February 12, with general sales opening February 14 through Ticketmaster.
