EXCLUSIVE: Patti Smith heading to Malta

The 65-year-old "godmother of punk" Patti Smith will play in Malta on 8 April 2014, in the singer's first ever visit to the island.

"It's been a long process, Patti liked the idea of visiting Malta so the decision was made a while ago, back in 2013 in fact, it was just a matter of finding the right date," Slavko Vukanovic of Kinemastik, the NGO that brought American singer Bonnie Prince Billy to Malta, said.

Smith released her 11th album 'Banga' in 2012, and in 2010 she won the American National Book Award for non-fiction with her memoir Just Kids of her bohemian days in the Chelsea Hotel with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe.

"Kinemastik celebrates 10 years in 2014, and we feel honoured to be able to host an artist of this calibre," Vukanovic said. "We have confirmed the date - 8 April, a Tuesday night, and the venue - Sir Temi Zammit Hall at University, known for its acoustics. Kinemastik is looking forward to hosting this evening with one of the most influential musical artists of all time."

Smith, born in Chicago and raised in South Jersey, migrated to New York in 1967, where she met Robert Mapplethorpe and together they encouraged each other to attain their artistic pursuits.

In 1975 Patti Smith's first recording, Horses, became a seminal album, followed by Radio Ethiopia, Easter, and Wave. In 1980 she relocated to Detroit, married Fred 'Sonic' Smith, and had two children, Jackson and Jesse, both now musicians in their own right.

The albums recorded since then have been Gone Again, Peace and Noise, Gung Ho, Trampin, Twelve, as well as a compilation album entitled Land, and a reissue of Horses, entitled Horses/Horses. June 23, 2010 The Library of Congress/National Recording Preservation Board inducted Horses into the National Recording Registry.

As well as a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Patti Smith also holds the honour of 'Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres' from the French Ministry of Culture, and has been awarded honorary doctorates from Rowan State University, Pratt Institute of Art, and the School of Art Institute Chicago.

Steven Sebring's 2008 documentary, dream of life: the movie, was acknowledged internationally and received an Emmy nomination. In 2010 Patti Smith was honoured by ASCAP with the Founders Award, representing lifetime achievement.

Patti Smith was listed amongst the TIME 100 influential people in the world, as well as one of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists. She also is the 2011 recipient of Sweden's Polar Award that is an international acknowledgement for significant achievements in music.

Early bird tickets at €30 available from www.kinemastik.org