Patti Smith Performs at Mapplethorpe Show

Patti Smith fans lined up around the block in London to see the Robert Mapplethorpe exhibition A Season in Hell, at the Alison Jacques Gallery, where the singer was set to perform. With her signature tousled hair, disheveled androgynous attire, and scratchy voice, Smith still embodied the image Mapplethorpe made famous as the cover of her 1975 album, Horses. Smith addressed the throng outside the gallery who were unable to gain admittance to her performance due to the number of attendees. “You don’t have to see me, because I’m not that beautiful,” she said to the crowd, for whom she promised she’d sing a cappella after the gallery performance. The rock 'n' roll legend later told journalists, “I was so happy to see so many people interested in Robert’s work.”