Punk music legend and poet Patti Smith, aged 78, collapsed on stage during a performance in São Paulo, Brazil on January 29, 2025. Smith had been enduring a severe migraine for several days leading up to the incident.
The event took place at the Cultura Artística Theater, a historic venue in São Paulo. Smith was collaborating with “Soundwalk Collective,” an experimental sound art collective based in Berlin, Germany.
Smith’s collapse occurred about half an hour into her performance, during a reading about the climate crisis. She felt dizzy and fell, hitting her head on the stage. This caused her microphone and music stand to fall over. Eyewitnesses in the front row described it as an unusual event, but Smith was able to rise independently after a few minutes.
Medical personnel were quick to assist Smith, escorting her off the stage in a wheelchair. The Soundwalk Collective stated that Smith had intended to continue performing for her fans. However, doctors recommended that she conclude the show prematurely. Smith briefly returned to the stage to apologize to her audience, explaining her illness and the need to heed medical advice.
The day after the incident, Smith addressed the incident on Instagram, calling reports about it “grossly exaggerated.” She reassured her followers that she had received adequate medical care and was fully recovered, urging them not to focus on the incident in light of other global issues.
This was not the first health-related incident for Smith during a performance. In December 2023, she was briefly admitted to a hospital in Bologna, Italy due to an abrupt illness, which led to the cancellation of a concert. After a short period of observation, Smith was discharged and declared to be in good health.
In 2016, Smith made headlines when she apologized for appearing to forget the lyrics to Bob Dylan’s “A Hard Rain’s A Gonna Fall” during his Nobel Literature Prize event in Stockholm, Sweden. Despite these incidents, Smith’s illustrious career includes a Grammy Hall of Fame Award in 2021.
Smith’s wide-ranging career includes notable contributions to music, literature, and visual arts. Her 1975 debut album, “Horses,” is considered a cornerstone of the punk rock genre, combining poetic lyrics with raw musicality. Smith is also an award-winning author; her memoir “Just Kids” won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2010, providing a personal account of her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe.
In recognition of her artistic accomplishments, Smith was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Smith was also honored by the French Ministry of Culture with the title of Commander of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres in 2005. Her influence spans music, visual arts, and activism, making her an enduring figure in contemporary culture.
Looking forward, Smith will be celebrated at a tribute concert at New York’s Carnegie Hall in March 2025, marking the 50th anniversary of “Horses.” The event will feature performances by renowned artists such as Michael Stipe, Kim Gordon, and Chrissie Hynde, all of whom have been influenced by Smith’s music.
Despite a lifelong bronchial condition that kept her indoors during the coronavirus pandemic, Smith continues her active performing career. The Soundwalk Collective confirmed she is now under the care of top medical professionals and expressed gratitude for fans’ patience and understanding.
