Patti Smith sparked concern from fans and the press after collapsing on stage in Brazil on Wednesday night (1/29), but she has now posted a statement to her Instagram to let everyone know that she’s fine and to say that the account “being spread by the press and social media” has been “grossly exaggerated.”
“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 continues. “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.”
In an Instagram story from Patti’s collaborators Soundwalk Collective, signed by both Soundwalk Collective and Patti Smith, they explained that Patti had been suffering from “an intense migraine the past couple days,” and that “she is now being cared for by the best doctors in the most loving way and will be back on stage” for tonight’s (1/30) performance at the same venue, Cultura Artística.
Micheline Alves, a journalist who was sitting in one of the front rows, described the incident to The Associated Press thusly: “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. […] After a few minutes, we saw that she wasn’t unconscious. She got up on her own.”
In December of 2023, Patti had to cancel a show due to “sudden illness” but was said to be “in good health conditions” after a brief hospitalization and resumed touring soon afterwards.
Patti will be honored at this year’s annual “The Music Of…” benefit on March 26 at Carnegie Hall. She’s also giving a free Words and Music event at Connecticut’s Greenwich Library on April 12.
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