Legendary punk rocker PATTI SMITH refuses to be labelled a musician, insisting her songs are a political act rather than a craft.
The BECAUSE THE NIGHT singer initially dreamed of a career in the opera but believed her voice was too "bronchial" for soprano performances.
She has since settled as an artist and poet, and dismisses her pioneering records, including 1975's hugely acclaimed album HORSES, as a side-project.
Smith says, "I had no interest in being a musician. I'm not a musician now and I can't even say I'm a real singer.
"I've never had training and I haven't devoted myself to developing a craft.
"I've always looked at my participation in rock 'n' roll as more of a political one, something that I did to incite or excite or inspire people."