Concert Review: Patti Smith Group, Final Night at CBGB's - Page 3

Richard Lloyd joined the band for “Marquee Moon” and came back later for a brief excursion into “Little Johnny Jewel” before launching into a searing “Rock N Roll Nigger.” Flea played bass on most of the Horses material, and nearly everything off that album surfaced during the set.

There were surprises galore. It was worth the admission alone to see Patti spit and growl over a lyric sheet for “Sonic Reducer,” and chant “Hey! Ho! Let’s Go!” during “Blitzkrieg Bop.” Twice Patti excused herself from the stage to use CB’s infamous toilets, and her band used the time wisely by turning up the volume for the Yardbirds’ “For Your Love” and a grin-inducing Ramones medley of “Beat on the Brat,” “Do You Remember Rock N Roll Radio?” and “Sheena is a Punk Rocker.” Lenny revised the lyrics from “It’s the end of the century” to “It’s the end of CBGB.”

Throughout the evening, Patti totally avoided the whole rock star trip, and she was just one of us – sharing stories, grinning a lot, and also getting caught up in all the emotion. She told a wonderful story that involved Tom Verlaine, UFOs and Michael Stipe. She told us about the time when everyone at CB’s healed Hilly’s dog after a car accident through sheer force of spiritual good will.

She railed against Bush, Guantanamo Bay, the rape of the environment, and urged us to keep fighting the good fight. She pointed out that the club was around for 33 years, the same lifespan as Jesus. She expressed that even though CB’s was closing, we all had to believe that the spirit of CBGB could manifest itself anywhere. As long as there is a performance space, and people with enthusiasm for rock ‘n’ roll, CBGB could live on anywhere on the planet.

As the night neared its close, Patti read a roll call of CBGB alumni who have passed on since the club opened in December ‘73. Tears were shed, but also a loud cheer was heard for each name. I’m sure I’ll miss a few, but the names I remember were Bryan Gregory, Robert Quine, Lance Loud, Lester Bangs, Jerry Nolan, Terry Ork, Helen Wheels, Richard Sohl, Joe Strummer, Stiv Bators, Johnny Thunders, and Johnny, Joey and Dee Dee. When an audience member called out “You forgot Fred,” referring to Patti’s deceased husband Fred “Sonic” Smith, Patti replied along the lines of he’s not forgotten, he’s in there.

Article Author: Randy H.

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