An evening that featured outstanding performances by the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Michael Stipe of R.E.M., Johnny Depp and many more, New York’s Carnegie Hall hosted ‘People Have the Power: A Celebration of Patti Smith.’
On Wednesday night (3.26,) The Boss and Flea collaborated on a rip roaring rendition of Smith and Springsteen’s 1978 hit, ‘Because the Night’,
Karen O gave a hair-raising performance of Patti’s 1975 classic ‘Gloria’, while Depp made a surprise appearance alongside Alison Mosshart of The Kills to perform ‘Dancing Barefoot.’
As it turns out, Patti and Johnny have shared a sister-brother relationship for many-a-year after her own sibling passed away and Depp inspired her song ‘Nine’ from her 2012 album ‘Banga’.
At the time, in an interview with The Sun in England, the now 78-year old chanteuse said “I met Johnny [Depp] about five years ago. He and Vanessa (Paradis, his then-wife) and their daughter came to my concert in Los Angeles and said hello backstage. We just really hit it off. I lost my brother and really mourned him, and it felt like he sent Johnny Depp to be my new brother.”
During a playback of the full length, Smith added “I went to visit him [Depp] in Puerto Rico when he was filming Rum Diary. It was his birthday, and I didn’t have a present, so I wrote him a song.”
In addition to the A-list of iconic musicians, Hollywood stars Scarlett Johansson, Michael Shannon, and Sean Penn also took part by reading some of some of Smith’s poetry. And the legendary evening ended with a performance of ‘People Have the Power’, with Patti joining the majority of the night’s performers onstage.
All proceeds from the star-studded event will help fund music education for underprivileged youth.
Keep up with the latest trending music news by following us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Author: Saul Goode
Photo: Elekes Andor