punk

The designer's clothes, as well as her personal visual identity, embraced futuristic beauty looks, bold hair, punk sensibilities, and a strong sense of androgyny.

Soon, rock writers discovered her at clubs, Clive Davis signed her to his Arista label, and Ms. Smith was on track to become the Godmother of Punk.

Though it reached only No. 47 on the Billboard 200 chart, the LP was critically hailed and has since been praised as the formal start of mainstream punk.

Her vocal delivery exuded fearlessness, individuality and a flat-out rejection of prior female role models, inspiring Madonna, Blondie, the Cars, the Clash, Sonic Youth and many other punk, new wave and alternative rockers.

Today, “Horses” retains its punk animalism and wild tear through the emotional wilderness.