Frederick Dewey Smith, professionally known as Fred "Sonic" Smith, was a talented American guitarist, born on September 14, 1949, in West Virginia. He gained widespread recognition as a member of the influential rock band MC5, and later went on to form his own group, Sonic's Rendezvous Band, which released a single, "City Slang", during his lifetime.
Smith's music career was marked by his collaborations with other notable artists. For instance, he and his band opened a show for the renowned singer and poet Patti Smith, who would later become his wife. Lenny Kaye, Patti's guitarist, introduced Fred and Patti before the show, which was a pivotal moment in their relationship.
Fred and Patti Smith tied the knot in 1980, and their union was filled with creative endeavors. They collaborated on Patti's 1988 album, Dream of Life, showcasing their artistic synergy. Throughout his life, Smith remained a resident of St. Clair Shores, Michigan, a Detroit suburb, where he passed away on November 4, 1994, at the age of 45. The apparent cause of his death was heart failure, which occurred in Detroit.
