About Fred "Sonic" Smith
Frederick Dewey Smith (September 14, 1948 – November 4, 1994), known professionally as Fred "Sonic" Smith, was an American guitarist and member of the rock band MC5. He married and raised two children with poet and fellow rock musician Patti Smith. The couple also collaborated musically. == Early life == Frederick Dewey Smith was born on September 14, 1948 at his family's residence on Broad Branch in the Big Harts Creek area of Lincoln County, West Virginia. == Career == Known professionally as Fred "Sonic" Smith, he was a guitarist with the MC5 and later went on to form Sonic's Rendezvous Band, which released one single, "City Slang", during Smith's lifetime. In 1988 he collaborated with wife Patti Smith on her album Dream of Life. In 2018, Smith was inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame alongside Hasil Adkins and Ann Magnuson. In 2024, the MC5 were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hame of Fame, receiving the Musical Excellence Award. == Influence and legacy == In 2003, Rolling Stone magazine ranked Smith #93 in its list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Patti Smith has spoken of how Fred Smith encouraged her writing, crediting his influence on a number of the songs she released after his death, as well as the prose works she created during their time together in Michigan.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.