This Pat Smear biography highlights the career of Georg Albert Ruthenberg, an American guitarist, musician, and songwriter born on August 5, 1959, in Los Angeles, California. Pat Smear is best known for serving as the guitarist for the rock band Foo Fighters and for co-founding the pioneering punk band the Germs. With a net worth of $45 million, Pat Smear has established a significant presence in modern rock music through decades of touring and recording.
Demographic Data and Core Attributes of Pat Smear
Pat Smear was born Georg Albert Ruthenberg on August 5, 1959, in Los Angeles, California. Pat Smear holds United States of America nationality and is currently 67 years old. The musician’s background includes African-American and Native American heritage on the maternal side and German Jewish immigrant heritage on the paternal side.
Pat Smear attended the Innovative Program School, an alternate school located within University High School in Los Angeles. During Pat Smear’s time at this institution, Pat Smear met Darby Crash, who would later become a bandmate in the Germs. Both Pat Smear and Darby Crash were expelled from the school due to concerns that the two were responsible for inciting unruly behavior among the student body.
Professional Career and Guitarist History of Pat Smear
Pat Smear’s professional journey began in 1976 when Pat Smear and Darby Crash formed the punk band the Germs alongside bassist Lorna Doom and drummer Dottie Danger. At the time of formation, Pat Smear was the only member of the group who possessed formal musical knowledge or proficiency. Pat Smear developed guitar skills by listening to artists such as Joan Jett, Brian James, Brian May, Steven Jones, Steve Howe, and John McKay.
For much of the Germs’ early period, Pat Smear did not own a personal instrument and instead borrowed guitars from other musicians during performances.
In 1979, the Germs released their debut album, “GI,” which was produced by Joan Jett. This record is widely regarded as a milestone in the history of punk rock music, with Pat Smear receiving specific praise for his guitar work on the release. The band appeared in the 1981 punk documentary “The Decline of Western Civilization” directed by Penelope Spheeris.
The Germs disbanded following the death of Darby Crash in December 1980, which ended the band’s active touring schedule.
In 1993, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain contacted Pat Smear to join the band as a second guitarist for an upcoming tour. Pat Smear accepted the invitation and performed his first show with Nirvana on “Saturday Night Live” in September of that year. Pat Smear toured with Nirvana for six months and is featured on the live albums “MTV Unplugged in New York” and “From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah.” Pat Smear also contributed to material on the compilation albums “Nirvana” and “With the Lights Out.”
Following the death of Kurt Cobain, Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl formed a new band to support his self-titled album in 1994, which evolved into the Foo Fighters. Pat Smear joined this new group from its inception in 1994. Pat Smear did not appear on a Foo Fighters album until “The Colour and the Shape” in 1997 because earlier material had been recorded solely by Grohl.
Pat Smear quit the band shortly after the release of “The Colour and the Shape” due to exhaustion from the relentless touring schedule. Pat Smear announced this departure at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards, where Pat Smear played half of a set before introducing his replacement, Franz Stahl, who completed the remainder of the performance.
From 1997 to 2005, Pat Smear maintained a low profile in the music industry. Pat Smear worked as a producer for other bands and served as a creative consultant for the film “What We Do Is Secret,” which focused on the Germs and Darby Crash. In late 2005, Pat Smear began performing select shows with Foo Fighters again, joining for only a few songs at a time rather than full concerts.
Pat Smear joined the band for their live acoustic album “Skin and Bones” in 2006. Pat Smear became a guest musician on the sixth studio album “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace” and joined the band more fully for the seventh album, “Wasting Light.”
The album “Wasting Light” and its accompanying songs were nominated for five Grammy Awards and won the award for Best Rock Album. This recognition cemented Pat Smear’s role within the band as they continued to release follow-up albums such as “Sonic Highway” and “Concrete and Gold.” Pat Smear became a full-time member of Foo Fighters in 2010. In April 2014, Pat Smear performed Nirvana songs when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Foo Fighters, including Pat Smear, were officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in October 2021.
Discography
The creative portfolio of Pat Smear spans notable productions, recorded works, and major commercial releases.
- The Germs: Released the debut album “GI” in 1979, produced by Joan Jett and recognized as a milestone in punk rock history.
- Pat Smear (Solo): Released the solo album “Ruthensmear” in 1987.
- Nirvana: Featured on the live albums “MTV Unplugged in New York” and “From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah,” as well as the compilations “Nirvana” and “With the Lights Out.”
- Foo Fighters: Appeared on the studio album “The Colour and the Shape” in 1997, the live acoustic album “Skin and Bones” in 2006, and the studio albums “Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace,” “Wasting Light,” “Sonic Highway,” and “Concrete and Gold.”
Family, Brand, and Organization Connections of Pat Smear
Pat Smear has maintained a low public profile regarding romantic relationships and family life, keeping these aspects strictly out of the spotlight. According to the 2011 documentary “Foo Fighters: Back and Forth,” Pat Smear was married at least once and has at least one child. Specific details regarding the spouse or child are not publicly disclosed in the available records.
- Foo Fighters: Pat Smear joined the band in 1994, left in 1997, rejoined as a touring guitarist in 2005, and became a full-time member in 2010.
- The Germs: Pat Smear co-founded this punk band in 1977 with Lorna Doom, Darby Crash, and Belinda Carlisle (replacing Dottie Danger).
- Nirvana: Pat Smear served as a touring second guitarist for the band for six months starting in September 1993.
Awards, Rankings, and Achievements of Pat Smear
Pat Smear has achieved significant recognition through collaborations with major rock acts and individual accolades. These achievements highlight the impact of Pat Smear’s guitar work on modern rock music and the legacy of the bands involved.
- Grammy Award for Best Rock Album: Pat Smear was part of the Foo Fighters team that won this award for the album “Wasting Light,” which also received five total Grammy nominations.
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction: Pat Smear was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Foo Fighters in October 2021.
- Punk Rock Milestone: Pat Smear’s guitar work on the 1979 Germs album “GI” is recorded as a milestone in the history of punk rock music.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pat Smear
How old is Pat Smear?
Pat Smear is 67 years old. Pat Smear was born on August 5, 1959, in Los Angeles, California.
What school did Pat Smear attend?
Pat Smear attended the Innovative Program School, an alternate school within University High School in Los Angeles. Pat Smear met future bandmate Darby Crash while enrolled at this institution.
Who produced the Germs debut album?
Joan Jett produced the Germs debut album “GI” in 1979. This record is widely considered a milestone in the history of punk rock music.
When did Pat Smear join Foo Fighters?
Pat Smear joined Foo Fighters in 1994. Pat Smear left the band in 1997, rejoined as a touring guitarist in 2005, and became a full-time member in 2010.