LA Phil presents Patti Smith and “Horses”

Rock legend and poet, Patti Smith is an iconic American singer, songwriter, and visual artist, widely recognized for her influence on both the music and literary worlds. She is often referred to as the “punk poet laureate” due to her unique blend of poetry and rock music. Smith rose to prominence in the 1970s with her debut album, Horses (1975).

Above photo – cover of Patti Smith’s debut album Horses, taken in a Greenwich Village apartment sometime in 1975 by Smith’s longtime friend, Robert Mapplethorpe.

Patti Smith will perform with her band – and with the LA Philharmonic – to mark the 50th Anniversary of her debut album from 1975, Horses, which is considered one of the most influential albums in rock history. The concert is set for Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 8PM at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in DTLA.  Tickets for Patti Smith are now on sale, and can be purchased online at laphil.com, or by phone at 323-850-2000.

Her music, which combines elements of punk rock, poetry, and experimental sound, features raw, emotive vocals, and powerful, often confrontational lyrics. Songs like “Gloria” (a reworking of the Them classic) and “Because the Night” (co-written with Bruce Springsteen) have become anthems of rebellion and artistic freedom.

In addition to her musical career, Patti Smith is also an accomplished poet and author. Her memoir Just Kids (2010), which chronicles her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and her early years in New York City, won the National Book Award for Nonfiction. Smith has also published several poetry collections and other books, blending her literary and musical sensibilities.

Her work in both realms has earned her widespread recognition, and she is known for her poetic, often philosophical approach to both life and art. Over the years, Smith has continued to inspire new generations of artists, musicians, and writers.

Patti Smith remains a respected figure in both the music world and literary circles, blending punk rock with intellectualism, spirituality, and social commentary.

From the press release:

The LA Phil announces today the first details of the Walt Disney Concert Hall 2025/26 season: The poet laureate of punk rock returns to the concert hall for a once-in-a-lifetime performance of what Rolling Stone rated as one of the 50 greatest albums of all time.

In the fall of 1975, Patti Smith gathered her band in Electric Lady Studios in New York City to record her debut album, Horses. Released on November 10th by Arista Records, it has come to be regarded as a seminal and landmark recording that continues to have resonance and relevance for succeeding generations of musicians and artists. 

The album has achieved many notable recognitions over the years; notably The Charles Cros Award and is included in the Library of Congress in the National Recording Registry. It has been followed by another nine albums, the National Book Award winner Just Kids, world tours and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

Now, fifty years later, Smith will honor the longevity and lasting influence of the album with a series of special shows performing Horses in its entirety. She will be accompanied by two members of the original group, Lenny Kaye and Jay Dee Daugherty, along with keyboardist/bassist Tony Shanahan, a part of her Band for thirty years. Jackson Smith also joins on guitar. Special Horses concerts have been set for eight cities in Europe: Dublin, Madrid. Bergamo, London, Brussels, Oslo and Paris. Nine cities in the U.S.: Seattle, Oakland, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Boston, Washington D.C. and Philadelphia. 

Patti Smith

Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 8PM 

Walt Disney Concert Hall 

111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012 

TICKETS: 

Tickets for Patti Smith are now on sale. They can be purchased online at laphil.com, or by phone at 323-850-2000.

Programs, artists, dates, prices and availability are subject to change. Ticket limits may apply.