Patti Smith was born Patricia Lee Smith.

The songstress was a Christmas baby: her birthday is December 30, 1963.

Smith was born in Chicago, Illinois, but spent much of her childhood in Deptford Township, New Jersey.

Voted class clown of her senior class, Smith graduated in 1964 from Deptford Township High School.

Smith’s vocal talents aren’t random; she was born to a jazz singer, Beverly Smith. Her father, named Grant Smith, was a worker at the Honeywell plant.

Raised as a Christian by a religious mother, Smith no longer identifies with organized religion.  Though the singer-songwriter says that she’s been well-educated in the Bible, she’s also written that “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine” in her song “Gloria.”

Hailing from a working family, Smith is no stranger to hard work. Following her high school graduation, she worked in a factory to help support herself and her family.

In addition to her voice, Patti Smith can play the guitar and the clarinet.

She has been on the music scene since 1971.

Considered a punk rock artist, Smith is also known as an alternative rock performer as well as a protopunk visionary.

In addition to performing music, Smith also writes songs, creates art, and writes poetry.

Smith has worked with both Columbia and Artista record labels.

The singer’s official website is PattiSmith.net.