Patti Smith will be dancing barefoot again soon. The 78-year-old rocker told her fans she’s "absolutely fine" after she experienced a "small incident" onstage during her performance with the Soundwalk Collective group. The singer scared fans when she appeared to collapse during her set at Teatro Cultura Artística in São Paulo, Brazil, on January 29, 2025.
About 30 minutes after starting her performance, Smith felt dizzy and collapsed. Journalist Micheline Alves, who was seated front row, described the chaotic scene, stating, "She clearly felt dizzy. She started moving backward and fell in a way — I think she tried to support herself on the microphone or the music stand. And everything fell on top of her. It was a bizarre scene." Smith remained onstage for several minutes before receiving assistance from medical personnel. Fortunately, a doctor present in the audience checked on her condition before she was taken backstage.
After regaining composure, Smith made her way back to the stage, this time in a wheelchair. "Unfortunately, I got sick, and the doctor said I can’t finish. So we will have to figure something out. And I feel very badly," she told the crowd, which responded with encouraging cheers. She then sang "Wing" and "Because the Night" a cappella, an emotional moment for both her and the audience—one Alves described as "very beautiful" but acknowledged Smith was visibly upset about not being able to complete her set.
Smith, known for her legendary status as part of the punk rock movement, had been dealing with severe migraines for days leading up to the concert. Following the incident, many fans turned to social media, sharing videos and expressing concern for the singer’s health.
On January 30, Smith addressed her fans directly through social media to clarify the situation. She commented on the overwhelming attention her incident received, stating: "This is letting everyone know I am fine. A grossly exaggerated account is being spread by the press and social media. I had some post-migraine dizziness. Had a small incident, left the stage, and returned 10 minutes later and talked to the people, told them I was fine and sang them ‘Wing’ and ‘Because the Night.’" She added, "I was checked out by an excellent doctor and was absolutely fine. Please do not accept any other story. With all the strife in the world, this explainable incident does not merit so much attention. Thank you, everyone for your concern. Trust me I am fine."
Smith's team at the Soundwalk Collective issued their own statements, assuring supporters of the singer's recovery. The group shared on Instagram: "Patti has suffered from an intense migraine the past couple of days and had some dizziness on stage, but she still wanted to be there for all of us and you and perform today. She is now being cared for by the best doctors in the most loving way and will be back on stage tomorrow night." Their compassionate response reflected Smith's determination to keep performing, even under challenging circumstances.
Further emphasizing the importance of health management, Smith also underscored her appreciation for the audience's patience. The rock icon had experienced health struggles before, including needing to cancel shows due to illness last December in Italy. The cancellation from those shows was also due to sudden health-related issues. Despite these challenges, she remains committed to her art and her fans.
Several fans have expressed confusion and concern about the incident, but Smith remains hopeful and encouraged her audience to focus on their passion for music rather than the misinterpretation of her health scare. She reassured audiences during phone interviews afterward, insisting, "The whole thing has been grossly exaggerated."
Smith will continue her music tour, collaborating with Soundwalk Collective on their creative project "Correspondences," which explores sound and artistic collaborations around the world and is expected to run until February 22. Her resilience and spirited return to the stage speak to her undying love and commitment to music and her fans.
To conclude, Patti Smith's incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of health, especially for artists who push through to deliver performances. With careful support and recovery efforts, she promises her fans she is back, stronger, and ready to share her love for music again.