Fred Smith

Biography

Frederick Dewey Smith (September 14, 1948 – November 4, 1994), known professionally as Fred "Sonic" Smith, was an American guitarist and member of the rock band MC5. He married and raised two children with poet and fellow rock musician Patti Smith. The couple also collaborated musically.

Early life

Frederick Dewey Smith was born on September 14, 1948 at his family's residence on Broad Branch in the Big Harts Creek area of Lincoln County, West Virginia.

Career

Known professionally as Fred "Sonic" Smith, he was a guitarist with the MC5 and later went on to form Sonic's Rendezvous Band, which released one single, "City Slang", during Smith's lifetime.
In 1988 he collaborated with wife Patti Smith on her album Dream of Life.
In 2018, Smith was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame alongside Hasil Adkins and Ann Magnuson.
In 2024, the MC5 were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hame of Fame, receiving the Musical Excellence Award.

Influence and legacy

In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Smith #93 in its list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.
Patti Smith has spoken of how Fred Smith encouraged her writing, crediting his influence on a number of the songs she released after his death, as well as the prose works she created during their time together in Michigan. He was the inspiration for her song "Frederick", a single from her 1979 album Wave. Her 1996 album Gone Again features several songs inspired by, co-written by, or in tribute to, her late husband.
The band Sonic Youth took its name from Smith's nickname.
Inducted into West Virginia Music Hall of Fame 2018. Award given by Lenny Kaye and accepted by Patti Smith, Jesse Smith and Jackson Smith.

Personal life

Smith first married Sigrid Dobat; their only child died of SIDS.
On March 9, 1976, Patti Smith's guitarist, Lenny Kaye, introduced Fred and Patti at Lafayette Coney Island in Detroit, as Smith has shared often and wrote about in her book, 'Bread of Angels.' The two subsequently married in 1980.
The Smiths had two children together, a son, Jackson (born 1982), and a daughter, Jesse (born 1987). Jackson, a guitarist, later married Meg White, formerly of the indie band The White Stripes. Jesse is a pianist and composer. Both have performed on stage with their mother and the rest of the Patti Smith Band.

Death

On November 4, 1994, Fred Smith died of heart failure in Detroit, at age 46.

Musical equipment

Guitars
Rickenbacker 450 with Gibson PAF pickups
Epiphone Crestwood
Mosrite Guitars
Gretsch Country Gentleman
Fender Duo-Sonic
Amplification
Marshall Amplifier
Fender Super Reverb