King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden presented both artists with their one million Swedish kronor (150752.25 USD) prize at the ceremony in Stockholm yesterday (August 30).
The Polar Prize, the highest award in Swedish music, is usually shared by a pop artist and a classical musician.
Official announcement of the Polar Music Prize 2011 - Patti Smith
Smith, generally considered the godmother of punk, thanked her fans and band members, said she was "humbled and inspired" to receive the prize. She also appealed for the audience to "turn their hearts, minds and resources" to the famine in Africa.
San Francisco-based Kronos Quartet incorporate avant-garde rock and elements of world music into their sound. Smith, meanwhile, describes her music - including the landmark album 'Horses' - as "three chord rock merged with the power of the word". Her best-known song is perhaps 'Because The Night', co-written by Bruce Springsteen.
The Polar Music Prize was founded by Stig Anderson, the manager of Swedish pop group ABBA, in 1989.
It is awarded to individuals, groups or institutions in recognition of exceptional achievements in the creation and advancement of music. Last year's prize was shared by Ennio Morricone and Bjork.
Paul McCartney, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Stevie Wonder are among past winners.
Todays tune "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (A cover of Nirvana) is taken from the album "Twelve", released April 17, 2007. As the title suggests, the album contains twelve tracks, all of which are cover versions. The Tune also includes in Pattis latest release "Outside Society" that was released a few days ago, Aug 23 to be more precise.
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee Patti Smith raises the curtain on "Outside Society", a new collection of her signature songs on the Arista and Columbia labels. The landmark 18-song release marks the first single-CD collection to span Patti's entire body of recorded work. The chronologically arranged tracks move from 1975 (her debut album, Horses, with "Gloria" and "Free Money") through 2007 (Twelve, with her cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"). Also released on vinyl as a double-LP set, "Outside Society" is available everywhere.
The music on "Outside Society" is newly remastered by award-winning engineer Greg Calbi and Patti Smith band member Tony Shanahan. The CD booklet will feature brief recollections of each song written by Patti, who personally supervised the choices.
Of "Because The Night," for example, Patti writes: "Bruce Springsteen gave me a great gift in allowing me to lend verses to his beautifully constructed anthem. My contribution was written for my future husband, Fred 'Sonic' Smith. Though we have performed it hundreds of times, the strong response it draws always makes it fresh and exciting to sing."
This evening she and her band will perform at Stockholms Konserthus, im sure it will be an fantastic evening. Doors at 19:30 in the Big Hall.
Patti Smith visits Ljusgården on Sept. 1 at. 12:30 to exclusively in Sweden sign hers acclaimed and award-winning autobiography, Just Kids, and her new compilation album Outside Society.
Just Kids is a vivid portrayal and a unique chronicle of New York's diverse cultural scene in the early '70s, with artists like Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Andy Warhol and Jimi Hendrix who all give their impressions of the story.
Patti Smith opens in a personal way up a window into her life as a young, struggling artist, and depicts a beautiful way of his friendship with the artist Robert Mapplethorpe.
The book and the compilation album will be on sale in Ljusgården.
More info @ Official Patti Smith Website