Patty Smyth: Charity Work & Causes

Patty Smyth first captivated popular consciousness with the smoldering emotionality of the mainstream rock charting, number one hit “The Warrior,” with her band, Scandal. For many, Patty’s expressive gifts as a vocalist and iconic performance style epitomized the new romanticism of the 1980s, and helped define the zeitgeist of the era. It has been said she was once asked to front Van Halen upon David Lee Roth’s exit.

Despite being a 1980s icon, Patty would go into to be relevant in the 1990s and achieve her biggest success with her solo work. “Sometimes Love Just Ain’t Enough” off her 1992 solo album – a song written by Patty, featuring a performance by Don Henley – turned out to be a career-defining moment, topping many charts and earning BMI’s song of the year. The album earned platinum status, and also produced the hits “No Mistakes,” “I Should be Laughing,” and “Shine.” Two years later, Patty was brought in to sing and co-write “Look What Love Has Done,” the Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy-nominated theme from the hit Arnold Schwarzenegger/Danny DeVito comedy, Junior. In 1999, Patty issued her greatest hits album with two new tracks, one of which was on the Armageddon soundtrack and sold over 8 million copies. In 2004, she reunited successfully with her old Scandal mates at the urging of VH1’s Bands Reunited.

Currently, Patty resides in New York City with her husband, former tennis star John McEnroe, and their children.