Patti Smith is an inspiration to musicians and poets around the world. However, even the most inspirational music legends have inspirations of their own. For the “Gloria” hitmaker, that inspiration came from Greek-American soprano opera star, Maria Callas.
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Vocalist Maria Callas Inspired Patti Smith in a Major Way
Patti Smith once named vocalist Maria Callas as one of the most prominent figures to ever inspire her. Callas was a beloved opera singer in the 20th century, known for her arresting soprano vocal range. When Smith admitted how connected she was to Callas, even her fans were surprised. You wouldn’t necessarily expect a punk rock icon to be a big opera fan.
However, the inspiration Smith gained from Callas has less to do with genre and more to do with emotional vulnerability through music.
“From her I learned how to develop a narrative within a song, to tap into the emotional content,” said Smith in an interview with New York Magazine, after being asked if she had any surprising musical influences. “She’s a great teacher, even if one doesn’t have the range, the voice.”
Patti Smith and Maria Callas Actually Had a Lot in Common
Both Smith and Callas had a lot in common, despite the jarring differences between opera and punk rock. They both occupied spaces at opposite ends of the musical and cultural spectrum. Each artist refused to let expectations dampen their personal and creative power. They both went above and beyond what was expected from them as young small-town women.
Sadly, they both also experienced quite a bit of heartbreak. Smith suffered through devastating tragedy after devastating tragedy when her husband, friends, and brother died in succession. Callas struggled with romantic affairs and a troubled relationship with her abusive mother.
Despite their pain, both artists continued to pursue their art without delay. When you think about it, both Smith and Callas were born to turn their pain into art.
In a way, you can even hear Callas in Smith, at least a little bit. Smith’s vocals on “Easter”, specifically, are quite soft and beautiful. On songs like “Gloria”, Smith sounds much rougher and more daring. Callas and Smith are connected by one core ability: To tell a story through song, via delivery that can’t really be matched by anyone else.
Photo by Archivio Cameraphoto Epoche/Getty Images
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