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The Smiths
Left to right: Andy Rourke, Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce.
Left to right: Andy Rourke, Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce.
Background information
Origin Manchester, England
Genre(s) Alternative rock
Indie pop
Years active 1982–1987
Label(s) Rough Trade
Warner Bros. Records
Associated acts Electronic
Modest Mouse
Freebass
Members
Morrissey
Johnny Marr
Andy Rourke
Mike Joyce
Former members
Dale Hibbert
Craig Gannon

The Smiths were an English rock band active from 1982 to 1987, based on the songwriting partnership of singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of "Twee" redirects here For a definition of the word see its entry at wiktionary. In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Rough Trade Records began as an Independent record label, based in London, England. Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. Electronic were an Alternative rock group formed by New Order singer and guitarist Bernard Sumner and ex- Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr Modest Mouse are an American Alternative rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah Washington by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Freebass are an English band consisting of three bassists Andy Rourke (formerly of The Smiths) Peter Hook (formerly of New Order and Joy Steven Patrick Morrissey (ˈmɒɹɪsiː born May 22, 1959) known primarily as Morrissey, is a British Singer and Lyricist Johnny Marr (born John Martin Maher on 31 October 1963 in Ardwick, Manchester) is an English Guitarist, Andy Rourke (born Andrew Michael Rourke 17 January 1964, in Manchester, England) is a Bass guitarist best known for being a former Mike Joyce (born Michael Joyce, 1 June, 1963, Fallowfield, Manchester) is an English Drummer. Dale Hibbert (born 16 December 1961) is a musician from Manchester, England, best known for being the original Bassist in The Craig Gannon (born on 30 July, 1966 in Manchester) is an English Guitar player best known for being the second Guitarist England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Steven Patrick Morrissey (ˈmɒɹɪsiː born May 22, 1959) known primarily as Morrissey, is a British Singer and Lyricist Johnny Marr (born John Martin Maher on 31 October 1963 in Ardwick, Manchester) is an English Guitarist, Critics have called them one of the most important alternative rock bands to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s,[1][2] and the group has had major influence on subsequent artists. Alternative rock (also called alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative; known primarily in the UK as indie) is a genre of In Popular music, independent music, often abbreviated as indie, is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels and an autonomous Morrissey's lovelorn tales of alienation found an audience amongst youth culture bored by the ubiquitous synthesizer-pop bands of the early 1980s, while Marr's complex melodies helped return guitar-based music to popularity. [3]

The group were signed to the independent record label Rough Trade Records, for whom they released four studio albums and several compilations, as well as numerous non-LP singles. An independent record label (or indie record label) is a Record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the Major record labels Rough Trade Records began as an Independent record label, based in London, England. Although they had limited commercial success outside the UK while they were still together, and never released a single that charted higher than number 10 in their home country, The Smiths won a growing following, and they remain cult and commercial favourites.

Contents

History

Early history

The Smiths were formed in early 1982 by two Manchester residents: an unemployed writer named Steven Patrick Morrissey (he had not yet abandoned his first names) who was a big fan of the New York Dolls and briefly fronted punk rock band The Nosebleeds, and Johnny Marr, a guitarist and songwriter. Steven Patrick Morrissey (ˈmɒɹɪsiː born May 22, 1959) known primarily as Morrissey, is a British Singer and Lyricist For the self-titled debut album see New York Dolls (album The New York Dolls are an American Glam rock band formed in Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds was a short-lived punk band formed in Wythenshawe, Manchester, England in 1976 Johnny Marr (born John Martin Maher on 31 October 1963 in Ardwick, Manchester) is an English Guitarist, Originally named John Maher, Marr changed his name to avoid confusion with the Buzzcocks drummer. Buzzcocks are an English Punk rock band formed in Manchester in 1975 Marr's jangly Rickenbacker guitar playing became synonymous with The Smiths' sound. For the American WWI fighter pilot see Eddie Rickenbacker. For the airport see Rickenbacker International Airport. Mike Joyce, formerly a member of punk bands The Hoax and Victim was recruited on drums, while Dale Hibbert played bass and provided demo recording facilities at the studio where he worked as a sound engineer. Mike Joyce (born Michael Joyce, 1 June, 1963, Fallowfield, Manchester) is an English Drummer. Dale Hibbert (born 16 December 1961) is a musician from Manchester, England, best known for being the original Bassist in The A demo version or demo of a song (shortened from the word "demonstration" is one recorded for reference rather than for release However, after two gigs, Marr's friend Andy Rourke replaced Hibbert on bass. Andy Rourke (born Andrew Michael Rourke 17 January 1964, in Manchester, England) is a Bass guitarist best known for being a former Marr and Rourke had previously worked together in The Paris Valentinos along with actor Kevin Kennedy. Kevin Kennedy is an English Actor, Singer and Guitarist. He played bottle-lensed Norman 'Curly' Watts in ITV's long running soap opera

The band picked their name in part as a reaction against names they considered fancy and pompous such as Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark (often abbreviated to OMD) are a Synthpop group whose founding members are originally from the Wirral Peninsula In a 1984 interview Morrissey stated that he chose the name The Smiths ". . . because it was the most ordinary name" and because he thought that it was ". . . time that the ordinary folk of the world showed their faces. "[4] Signing to indie label Rough Trade Records, they released their first single, "Hand in Glove", on 13 May 1983. Rough Trade Records began as an Independent record label, based in London, England. " Hand in Glove " was the first single from British band The Smiths, released in May 1983 Events 1497 - Pope Alexander VI excommunicates Girolamo Savonarola. Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) The record was championed by DJ John Peel, as were all of their later singles, but failed to chart. John Robert Parker Ravenscroft, OBE (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004 known professionally as John Peel, was an English Disc jockey, radio

The follow-up singles "This Charming Man" and "What Difference Does It Make?" fared better, however. " This Charming Man " is a song by the British Alternative rock band The Smiths, written by guitarist Johnny Marr and singer/lyricist " What Difference Does It Make? " is a 1984 single by British band The Smiths. Aided by praise from the music press and a series of studio sessions for John Peel and David Jensen at BBC Radio 1, The Smiths began to acquire a dedicated fan base. David "Kid" Jensen (born July 4, 1950) 58 is a Canadian -born British Radio DJ. Morrissey's lyrics, while superficially depressing, were often full of mordant humour; Peel remarked that The Smiths were one of the few bands capable of making him laugh out loud. Influenced by his childhood interest in the working-class social realism of 1960s "kitchen sink" television plays, Morrissey wrote about ordinary people and their experiences with despair, rejection and death. Social Realism, also known as Socio-Realism, is an Artistic movement, expressed in the visual and other realist arts, which depicts Working class Kitchen sink realism was an English cultural movement which developed in the late 1950s and early 1960s in Theatre, Art, Novels Film

The group also had a distinctive visual style on their album and single covers, which often featured colourful images of film and pop stars, usually in duotone, designed by Morrissey and Rough Trade art coordinator Jo Slee. Duotone is the generic name for multitone printing which can be done with two three or four inks Single covers rarely featured any text other than the band name, and the band themselves did not appear on the outer cover of their UK releases. (Morrissey did, however, appear on an alternative cover for "What Difference Does It Make?", mimicking the pose of the original subject, UK film actor Terence Stamp, after the latter objected to his image being used. Terence Henry Stamp (born July 22, 1939) is an Academy Award -nominated English Actor. ) The "cover stars" were an indication of Morrissey's personal interests in obscure or cult film stars, featuring Stamp, Jean Marais, Warhol protégé Joe Dallesandro, James Dean), figures from 1960s British culture (Viv Nicholson, Pat Phoenix, Yootha Joyce, Shelagh Delaney), or images of unknown models taken from old films or magazines. For the song by David Bowie, see Andy Warhol (song. Andrew Warhola (August 6 1928 &ndash February 22 1987 known as Andy Warhol Joseph Angelo D'Allesandro III (born December 31, 1948) is an American Actor. James Byron Dean ( February 8 1931 &ndash September 30 1955) was a two-time Oscar -nominated American Film Vivian Nicholson (born 3 April 1936) became a Public figure in Great Britain overnight in 1961 when she won Patricia Phoenix (best known as Pat Phoenix) ( November 26 1923 &ndash September 18 1986) was a British actress who Yootha Joyce ( 20 August 1927 &ndash 24 August 1980) was an English actress who was best known for playing Mildred Shelagh Delaney (born November 25, 1939) is a British Playwright, best known for her debut work A Taste Of Honey.

The Smiths dressed mainly in ordinary clothes – jeans and plain shirts – which reflected the "back to basics" guitar-and-drums style of the music. This contrasted with the exotic high-fashion image cultivated by New Romantic pop groups such as Spandau Ballet and Duran Duran and highlighted in magazines such as The Face and i-D. New Romantic was a short- lived Fashion and music movement that occurred primarily in the United Kingdom and Ireland during the very early 1980s Spandau Ballet were a popular British band in the 1980s Initially inspired by a mixture of Funk and Synthpop, the group eventually mellowed into a Duran Duran are an English Pop rock band famous for a long series of popular singles, albums and vivid Music videos for which they've won two The Face was a Magazine started in May 1980 by Nick Logan out of his publishing house Wagadon i-D is a British Magazine dedicated to Fashion, Music, Art and Youth culture. Morrissey once wore a fake hearing aid to support a hearing-impaired female fan who was ashamed of using one,[5] and thick-rimmed NHS-style eyeglasses. The National Health Service is the name commonly used to refer to the four Publicly-funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom collectively or individually (although

The Smiths

Autographed promotional poster of The Smiths' first album.
Autographed promotional poster of The Smiths' first album.

By February 1984, The Smiths' fanbase was sufficiently large to launch the band's eponymous debut album to number two in the UK chart. The Smiths is the debut album by English Alternative rock band The Smiths, released on February 20, 1984. Its mood was generally bleak, exemplified by such track titles as "Still Ill" and "Suffer Little Children", the latter referring to the Moors Murders in the 1960s, although there was a sprinkling of humour in several songs. The Moors murders were committed by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley around the Manchester area of England between 1963 and 1965 Also evident were Morrissey's studied references to literature and popular culture icons. His frequent acknowledgment of his many idols (Alain Delon, James Dean and Oscar Wilde, particularly) in interviews, along with subtle lyrical references (the song title "Pretty Girls Make Graves", for example, is taken from Jack Kerouac) encouraged a literary bent amongst fans, who already had a tendency towards bookishness. Alain Delon (born 8 November 1935) is a César Award -winning French Actor. James Byron Dean ( February 8 1931 &ndash September 30 1955) was a two-time Oscar -nominated American Film Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900 was an Irish Playwright, Novelist, poet and Author of Jack Kerouac ( March 12 1922 &ndash October 21 1969) was an American Novelist, Writer, Poet, and The album cover and promotional poster for the album featured an image of Joe Dallessandro taken from the Andy Warhol film Flesh. Joseph Angelo D'Allesandro III (born December 31, 1948) is an American Actor. For the song by David Bowie, see Andy Warhol (song. Andrew Warhola (August 6 1928 &ndash February 22 1987 known as Andy Warhol Flesh (alternate title Andy Warhol's Flesh) is a 1968 film directed by American Filmmaker Paul Morrissey. Both "Reel Around the Fountain" and "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" met with controversy, supposedly being suggestive of paedophilia. The Smiths is the debut album by English Alternative rock band The Smiths, released on February 20, 1984. The term pedophilia or paedophilia has a range of definitions as found in Psychology, law enforcement and the popular vernacular In addition, "Suffer Little Children" caused an uproar after the grandfather of one of the murdered children heard it on a pub jukebox, and at first thought that the band was trying to commercialise the murders. jukebox is a partially automated music-playing device usually a Coin -operated machine that can play specially selected songs from self-contained media After meeting with Morrissey, he realised that the song was a sincere exploration of the impact of the murders. Morrissey subsequently established a friendship with Ann West, the mother of victim Lesley Ann Downey, who is mentioned by name in the song.

The released debut album followed a scrapped full-length version of the album recorded between July and August 1983 by producer Troy Tate. This collection, with its numerous variations from the final released version, is known as the "Troy Tate Sessions" and is a rarity. The planned single, "Jeane," was retained as a B-side for the "This Charming Man" single. [6] Shortly after the release of the album, Morrissey idol Sandie Shaw recorded "Hand in Glove" backed by Marr, Rourke and Joyce. Sandie Shaw (born Sandra Ann Goodrich on 26 February 1947) was one of the most successful British female singers of the 1960s The hit single resulted in the band performing barefoot (a Sandie Shaw trademark) on Top of the Pops. Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, was a long-running British music chart Television programme, made and broadcast

In 1984, the band released several singles not taken from the album: "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now" (the band's first top-ten hit; the title parodies Sandie Shaw's 1960s hit "Heaven Knows I'm Missing Him Now") and "William, It Was Really Nothing" (which featured "How Soon Is Now?" as a B-side). " Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now " is a single by The Smiths that reached #10 on the UK Singles Chart in June of 1984 before its inclusion " William It Was Really Nothing " is a song by British band The Smiths. " How Soon Is Now? " is a 1984 song written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr and first released by their band The Smiths. A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of 7 inch Vinyl records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s The year ended with the compilation album Hatful of Hollow. Hatful of Hollow is a Compilation album by The Smiths that features BBC Radio 1 studio recordings and two contemporary singles This collected singles, B-sides and the versions of songs that had been recorded throughout the previous year for the Peel and Jensen shows. The radio session versions were felt by many (including the band) to be better than those released as singles and on the debut album.

Meat Is Murder

Early in 1985 the band released their second album, Meat Is Murder. Meat Is Murder is the second Studio album by the British Alternative rock band The Smiths. This album was more strident and political than its predecessor, including the pro-vegetarian title track (Morrissey forbade the rest of the group from being photographed eating meat), the light-hearted republicanism of "Nowhere Fast", and the anti-corporal punishment "The Headmaster Ritual" and "Barbarism Begins at Home". Corporal punishment is the deliberate infliction of pain intended to Punish a person or change his/her behavior The band had also grown more adventurous musically, with Marr adding rockabilly riffs to "Rusholme Ruffians" and Rourke playing a funk bass solo on "Barbarism Begins at Home". Rusholme is a part of Manchester, in North West England, about two miles south of Manchester city centre. The album was preceded by the re-release of the B-side "How Soon is Now?" as a single, and although that song was not on the original LP, it has been added to subsequent releases. A gramophone Meat Is Murder was the band's only album (barring compilations) to reach number one in the UK charts.

Morrissey brought a political stance to many of his interviews, courting further controversy. Among his targets were the Thatcher government, the monarchy and the famine relief project Band Aid. Margaret Hilda Thatcher Baroness Thatcher LG, OM, PC, FRS (born 13 October 1925 Band Aid was a British and Irish charity supergroup, founded in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in order to raise money Morrissey famously quipped of the latter, "One can have great concern for the people of Ethiopia, but it's another thing to inflict daily torture on the people of England. NOTE This intro is the result of careful NPOV work Please do not make potentially controversial edits to it without first discussing on the talk page "[7] The subsequent single-only release "Shakespeare's Sister" was not a chart success, nor was the only single taken from the album, "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore", which barely cracked the top 50.

The Queen Is Dead

During 1985 the band completed lengthy tours of the UK and the US while recording the next studio record, The Queen Is Dead. The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the English rock band The Smiths. The album was released in June 1986, shortly after the single "Bigmouth Strikes Again". " Bigmouth Strikes Again " is a song by The Smiths. It appears on their third album The Queen Is Dead and was the lead single from the album reaching The single again featured Marr's strident acoustic guitar rhythms and lead melody guitar lines with wide leaps. The record reached number two in the UK charts, using a mixture of mordant bleakness (e. g. "Never Had No One Ever", which seemed to play up to stereotypes of the band), dry humour (e. g. "Frankly, Mr. Shankly", allegedly a message to Rough Trade boss Geoff Travis disguised as a letter of resignation from a worker to his superior), and synthesis of both (e. g. "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" and "Cemetry Gates"). " There Is a Light That Never Goes Out " is a song by the The Smiths, written by Morrissey and Johnny Marr. The Queen Is Dead is the third studio album by the English rock band The Smiths. In 1989 Spin magazine rated The Queen Is Dead as number one of "The Greatest Albums Ever Made". Spin is a Music Magazine that reports on Music for Life Founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr Subsequent "Greatest Albums" lists by numerous music publications have placed the album at the top or within the top ten, including those of NME and Melody Maker. The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a Popular music Magazine in the United Kingdom which has been Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly Music Newspaper In June 2006, NME dedicated an entire issue to the twentieth anniversary of the record's release.

However, all was not well within the group. A legal dispute with Rough Trade had delayed the album by almost seven months (it had been completed in November 1985), and Marr was beginning to feel the stress of the band's exhausting touring and recording schedule. He later told NME, "'Worse for wear' wasn't the half of it: I was extremely ill. By the time the tour actually finished it was all getting a little bit. . . dangerous. I was just drinking more than I could handle. "[8] Meanwhile, Rourke was fired from the band in early 1986 due to his use of heroin. Heroin ( INN: diacetylmorphine, BAN: diamorphine) is a semi-synthetic opioid synthesized from Morphine, a derivative He received notice of his dismissal via a Post-it note stuck to the windshield of his car. The Post-it note, invented by 3M 's Art Fry using an adhesive developed by a colleague Spencer Silver, is a piece of Stationery with a re-adherable It read, "Andy - you have left The Smiths. Goodbye and good luck, Morrissey. "[9] Rourke was temporarily replaced on bass by Craig Gannon, but was reinstated after only a fortnight. Craig Gannon (born on 30 July, 1966 in Manchester) is an English Guitar player best known for being the second Guitarist Gannon was retained and switched to rhythm guitar. This five-piece recorded the singles "Panic" and "Ask" (with Kirsty MacColl on backing vocals), and toured the UK. This article refers to the song by British band The Smiths. For the song by American band No Doubt, please see Everything in Time. " Ask " is a song by The Smiths. It was released as a single in October 1986 reaching #14 in the UK Singles Chart. Kirsty Anna MacColl ( 10 October, 1959 &ndash 18 December, 2000) was an English Singer-songwriter. After the tour ended in October 1986, Gannon left the band.

Strangeways, Here We Come

The Smiths performing "Shoplifters of the World Unite" on Top of the Pops in 1987.
The Smiths performing "Shoplifters of the World Unite" on Top of the Pops in 1987. " Shoplifters of the World Unite " is a song by The Smiths. Top of the Pops, also known as TOTP, was a long-running British music chart Television programme, made and broadcast

In early 1987 the single "Shoplifters of the World Unite" was released to chart success, as well as mild controversy and concern from parents. " Shoplifters of the World Unite " is a song by The Smiths. It was followed by a second compilation, The World Won't Listen (the title was Morrissey's comment on his frustration with the band's lack of mainstream recognition, although the album reached number two in the charts), and the single "Sheila Take a Bow", the band's second (and last during the band's lifetime) UK top-10 hit. The World Won't Listen is a Compilation album by The Smiths. It was released in February 1987 by their Record company, Rough Trade Another compilation, Louder Than Bombs, was intended for the overseas market and covered much the same material as The World Won't Listen, with the addition of "Sheila Take a Bow" and material from Hatful of Hollow, as that compilation was yet to be released in the U. Louder Than Bombs is a Compilation album by The Smiths. It was released as a double album in March 1987 by their American Record company S.

Despite their continued success, personal differences within the band — including the increasingly strained relationship between Morrissey and Marr — saw them on the verge of splitting. In August 1987, Marr left the group, and auditions to find a replacement for him proved fruitless. By the time Strangeways, Here We Come (named after Strangeways Prison, Manchester) was released in September, the band had split up. Strangeways Here We Come is the fourth and final studio Album by The Smiths, originally released in 1987 HM Prison Manchester is a Prison located in the city of Manchester, England, also known (now unofficially since it was renamed in the 1990s The breakdown in the relationship has been primarily attributed to Morrissey becoming annoyed by Marr's work with other artists and Marr growing frustrated by Morrissey's musical inflexibility. Marr particularly hated Morrissey's obsession with covering 1960s pop artists such as Twinkle and Cilla Black. Twinkle (born Lynn Annette Ripley, 15 July 1947, Surbiton, Surrey, England) was an English Singer-songwriter Cilla Black OBE (born Priscilla Maria Veronica White on 27 May, 1943) is an English Singer-songwriter and Television Referring to the songs recorded in the band's last session together (B-sides for the "Girlfriend in a Coma" single, which preceded the album's release), Marr said "I wrote 'I Keep Mine Hidden', but 'Work Is a Four-Letter Word' I hated. That was the last straw, really. I didn't form a group to perform Cilla Black songs. "[10] In 1989, in an interview with young fan Tim Samuels (who later became a BBC journalist) Morrissey said that the lack of a managerial figure and business problems were to blame for the band's eventual split. Tim Samuels (born 3 October 1975) is an award-winning British documentary filmmaker and television presenter [11]

Strangeways peaked at number two in the UK but was only a minor US hit. The track "Paint a Vulgar Picture" foretold how the group's songs would be "reissued and repackaged" in seemingly innumerable compilations. The 30-second video for "Girlfriend in a Coma" garnered video rotation on MTV in America. " Girlfriend in a Coma " is a song by The Smiths. It was released as a single in August 1987, reaching #13 in the UK Singles Chart. The album received a lukewarm reception from critics, but all four members name it as their favourite Smiths album. A couple of further singles from the album were released with earlier live, session and demo tracks as B-sides, and the following year the live album Rank (recorded in 1986 while Gannon was in the band) repeated the UK chart success of previous albums. Rank is a Live album by English band The Smiths. It was released in September 1988 by their British Record company, Rough Trade

Post-Smiths careers

Following the group's demise, Morrissey began work on a solo recording, collaborating with Strangeways producer Stephen Street and fellow Mancunian Vini Reilly, guitarist for The Durutti Column. Stephen Brian Street is a music producer best known for his work with The Smiths in the 1980s The Sundays and Blur (often regarded as the Vincent "Vini" Gerard Reilly (b August 1953) is an English musician and leader of the Post-punk group The Durutti Column See Durruti Column for the anarchist column during the Spanish Civil War. The resulting album, Viva Hate (a reference to the end of the Smiths), was released six months later, reaching number one in the UK charts. Viva Hate is Morrissey 's debut solo Album, released on March 22, 1988. Morrissey continues to perform and record as a solo artist.

Johnny Marr returned to the music scene in 1989 with New Order's Bernard Sumner and Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant in the supergroup Electronic. New Order are an English rock group formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner ( vocals, Guitars Synthesizers, Peter Hook Bernard Sumner (born 4 January 1956 in Lower Broughton, Salford, Lancashire, England) is a British singer The capitalisation of song titles in this article is disputed Neil Francis Tennant (born 10 July 1954 is a English Musician, singer and songwriter who with his colleague Chris Lowe, make up the successful SuperGroup is a Reality show on the channel VH1. The show puts together five Heavy metal musicians packed into a large mansion that must play a show after Electronic were an Alternative rock group formed by New Order singer and guitarist Bernard Sumner and ex- Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr Electronic released three albums over the next decade. Marr was also a member of The The, recording two albums with the group between 1989 and 1993. The The are an English musical and multimedia group that have been active in various forms since 1979, with singer/songwriter/frontman Matt Johnson being He has also worked as a session musician and writing collaborator for artists including The Pretenders, Pet Shop Boys, Billy Bragg, Black Grape, Talking Heads and Beck. The Pretenders are a British rock band The original band consisted of group founder and main Songwriter Chrissie Hynde ( lead vocals Stephen William Bragg (born December 20, 1957 in Essex, England) better known as Billy Bragg, is an English musician who Black Grape was a rock band from England. Black Grape's music is Funky and eclectic Talking head Talking Heads was an American New Wave band formed in 1974 in New York City and active until 1991 Beck' s birth name was Bek see the sources given This is not a typo and should not be changed without good reason In 2000 he started another band, Johnny Marr and the Healers, with a moderate degree of success, and later worked as a guest musician on the Oasis album Heathen Chemistry. Oasis are an English rock band that formed in Manchester in 1991 Heathen Chemistry is the fifth studio Album by English rock band Oasis, first released in 2002.

He performed two Smiths songs and music by others with a supergroup consisting of members from Pearl Jam, Radiohead, Split Enz and others, assembled by Neil Finn of Split Enz and Crowded House in 2001. SuperGroup is a Reality show on the channel VH1. The show puts together five Heavy metal musicians packed into a large mansion that must play a show after Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington in 1990 Radiohead Split Enz was a successful New Zealand band during the 1970s and early 1980s featuring Phil Judd and brothers Tim Finn and Neil Finn. Neil Mullane Finn OBE (born May 27 1958, in Te Awamutu, New Zealand) is a Singer and Songwriter and one Crowded House is a rock group formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand musician and Singer-songwriter Neil Finn. In addition to his work as a recording artist, Marr has worked as a record producer on Haven's debut album Between the senses. In 2006 he began work with Modest Mouse's Isaac Brock on songs that eventually featured on the band's 2007 release, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. Modest Mouse are an American Alternative rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah Washington by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Isaac Brock (born on July 9, 1975) is the lead singer guitarist banjoist and songwriter for the American Indie rock band Modest We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank is the fifth studio Album by Washington -based American indie Rock band The band subsequently announced that Marr was a fully fledged member, and the reformed line-up toured extensively throughout 2006-07. Marr has also been recording with Liam Gallagher of Oasis. William John Paul "Liam" Gallagher (born September 21, 1972 in Burnage, Manchester) is the lead singer of the British rock band

Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce have continued working together, including doing session work for Morrissey (1988–89) and Sinéad O'Connor, as well as working separately. Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor (ʃɪˈneɪd oʊˈkɒnɚ (born 8 December 1966 is a Grammy Award winning Irish singer and songwriter Rourke has recorded and toured with Proud Mary and is currently forming a group called Freebass with fellow bassists Peter Hook (of New Order and Joy Division) and Mani (of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream). " Proud Mary " is a song written by American singer and Guitarist John Fogerty. Freebass are an English band consisting of three bassists Andy Rourke (formerly of The Smiths) Peter Hook (formerly of New Order and Joy Peter "Hooky" Hook (born 13 February 1956 in Salford, Lancashire) is an English Bass player. New Order are an English rock group formed in 1980 by Bernard Sumner ( vocals, Guitars Synthesizers, Peter Hook Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Gary "Mani" Mounfield (born 16 November 1962 in Failsworth, Lancashire) is an English rock Bassist The Stone Roses were an English Alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1984 Primal Scream are a Brit-nominated Scottish Alternative rock group formed in 1982 in Glasgow by Bobby Gillespie ( vocals He has recently started a radio career, hosting a show on Saturday evenings on XFM Manchester. Xfm is a brand of Commercial radio stations focused on Alternative music, primarily indie, and owned by GCap Media in the United Kingdom

Unfinished business

In 1996, Joyce took Morrissey and Marr to court, claiming that he had not received his fair share of recording and performance royalties. Morrissey and Marr had claimed the lion's share of The Smiths' recording and performance royalties and allowed ten percent each to Joyce and Rourke. Composition royalties were not an issue, as Rourke and Joyce had never been credited as composers for the band. Morrissey and Marr claimed that the other two members of the band had always agreed to that split of the royalties, but the court found in favour of Joyce and ordered that he be paid over £1 million in back pay and receive twenty-five percent henceforth. As Smiths' royalties had been frozen for two years, Rourke settled for a smaller lump sum to pay off his debts and continued to receive ten percent. Morrissey was described by the judge as "devious, truculent and unreliable. "[12]

The singer later said, "The court case was a potted history of the life of The Smiths. Mike, talking constantly and saying nothing. Andy, unable to remember his own name. Johnny, trying to please everyone and consequently pleasing no one. And Morrissey under the scorching spotlight in the dock, being drilled. 'How dare you be successful?' 'How dare you move on?' To me, The Smiths were a beautiful thing and Johnny left it, and Mike has destroyed it. "[13] Morrissey's 1997 solo album Maladjusted included a song titled "Sorrow Will Come in the End" which commented on the case, and which was omitted from the UK version of the album due to fear of libel action. Maladjusted is an Album by rock artist Morrissey, released on August 11, 1997. Morrissey (but not Marr) appealed against the verdict, but was not successful. [14]

In late November 2005, while appearing on radio station BBC 6 Music, Mike Joyce claimed to be having financial problems and said that he had resorted to selling rare band recordings on eBay. As a teaser, a few minutes of an unfinished instrumental track known as "The Click Track" was premiered on the show. Morrissey hit back at Joyce with a public statement shortly after, on the website true-to-you. net. [15] Relations between Joyce and Rourke cooled significantly as a result of Morrissey's statement which claimed that Joyce had misled the courts. Morrissey claimed that Joyce had not declared that Rourke was entitled to some of the assets seized by Joyce's lawyers from Morrissey. Joyce who was obliged to declare that others (Rourke, Lillywhite, and Street) had an interest in funds he wished to seize.

2000s

Both Johnny Marr and Morrissey have repeatedly said in interviews that they will not reunite the band. In 2005, VH1 attempted to get the band back together for a reunion on its Bands Reunited show. VH1 (known as VH-1 Video Hits One from 1985 to 1994 and VH1 Music First until 2003) is an American Cable television Bands Reunited was a television program produced by VH1 in 2004. The show abandoned its attempt after its host Aamer Haleem was unsuccessful in his attempt to corner Morrissey before a show. Aamer Haleem is a VH1 on-air personality and host of the show Bands Reunited. In December 2005 it was announced that Johnny Marr and The Healers would play at Manchester v Cancer, a benefit show for cancer research being organised by Andy Rourke and his production company, Great Northern Productions. Manchester v Cancer was a benefit concert that was held on January 28, 2006, at Manchester 's MEN Arena, in aid of Cancer research [16] Rumours suggested that a Smiths reunion would occur at this concert but were dispelled by Johnny Marr on his website. [17] What did eventuate was Rourke joining Marr onstage for the first time since The Smiths broke up, performing "How Soon Is Now?".

To this day Morrissey refuses to reunite his old band, going as far as to say that he would “rather eat [his] own testicles than re-form The Smiths, and that’s saying something for a vegetarian. ”[18] In March 2006 Morrissey revealed that The Smiths had been offered five million dollars to reunite for a performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, which he turned down, saying, "No, because money doesn't come into it. The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (commonly known as Coachella) is a three-day (formerly a one or two-day annual music and arts festival organized by Goldenvoice " He further explained, "It was a fantastic journey. And then it ended. I didn't feel we should have ended. I wanted to continue. [Marr] wanted to end it. And that was that. "[19] When asked why he would not reform with The Smiths, Morrissey responded “I feel as if I’ve worked very hard since the demise of The Smiths and the others haven’t, so why hand them attention that they haven’t earned? We are not friends, we don’t see each other. Why on earth would we be on a stage together?”[20]

In August 2007 it was reported Morrissey had turned down a near £40 million offer to reunite with Johnny Marr for a 50-date world tour in 2008 and 2009. The condition would only be that Morrissey would have to play the dates with Marr, meaning the deal could have gone ahead without Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke. [21]

According to an anonymous press release on true-to-you. net, an unofficial fan site tacitly supported by Morrissey, Morrissey was approached in summer 2007 by a "consortium of promoters" with a $75 million offer to tour during the next two years. The offer required Morrissey to make a minimum of fifty worldwide performances with Johnny Marr, under the Smiths' name. true-to-you. net reported that the offer had been refused. [22] Other reports say that the whole $75 million tour was a hoax. [23]

In an October 2007 interview on BBC Radio Five Live, Johnny Marr hinted at a potential reformation in the future, saying that "stranger things have happened so, you know, who knows?" Marr went on to say that "It's no biggy. Maybe we will in 10 or 15 years' time when we all need to for whatever reasons, but right now Morrissey is doing his thing and I'm doing mine, so that's the answer really. " This is the first potential indication of a Smiths reunion from Marr, who previously has stated that reforming the band would be a bad idea. [24]

Influence

The Smiths have influenced a number of alternative rock bands. The Cranberries combined "the melodic jangle of post-Smiths indie-guitar pop with the lilting, trance-inducing sonic textures of late-'80s dream pop, creating their sound with "trebly, chiming guitars and spare, certain melodies"[25]. The Cranberries were an Irish rock band formed in Limerick in 1990 As well, the band used Stephen Street as producer, who was known for "maximizing the moodiness of the Smiths"[26]. The Cranberries fused this sound with lyrics that echoed the lovesick, literary style of Morrissey. "The Smiths singer's bookish, fiercely intelligent lyrics also provided a blueprint for the quiet, literate Scottish band Belle & Sebastian. Belle and Sebastian are an Indie pop band formed in Glasgow, Scotland in January 1996 "[27] Marr's guitar playing "was a huge building block for more Manchester legends that followed The Smiths - The Stone Roses"; their guitarist John Squire has stated that Marr was a major influence. The Stone Roses were an English Alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1984 John Squire (born John Thomas Squire on 24 November, 1962) is an English Musician, Songwriter and Artist. [28] Oasis frontman Noel Gallagher has called The Smiths an influence, especially Marr; Gallagher stated that "when The Jam split, The Smiths started, and I totally went for them. Oasis are an English rock band that formed in Manchester in 1991 Noel Thomas David Gallagher (born 29 May 1967 in Manchester, England is the lead guitarist backing vocalist and occasional lead vocalist of British rock band Oasis " [29]

Radiohead guitarist Ed O'Brien has acknowledged that he idolized The Smiths in the 1980s; the band pays homage to The Smiths in their song "Knives Out". Radiohead Edward John O'Brien (born April 15, 1968, in Oxford, England) is a member of Radiohead. After O'Brien played with Johnny Marr in New Zealand in 2001, he acknowledged that Marr was the reason he had picked up a guitar as a teenager.

Las Vegas band The Killers". The Killers are an American rock band from Las Vegas Nevada. Formed in 2002 the group consists of Brandon Flowers ( vocals, keyboards . . joined the post-millennium resurgence of post-punk and New Wave sound that was built by the likes of similar bands such as Interpol, The Rapture and The Strokes. The Killers were influenced by "bands like The Smiths, Depeche Mode, The Cure and other 80s staples. "[30] Music critics have noted the strong British influences such as The Cure, The Smiths and The Clash in the band's sound, even quipping that they "sound more cockney than cowboy. "[31]

The "Britpop movement preempted by The Stone Roses and spearheaded by groups like Oasis, Suede and Blur, drew heavily from Morrissey's portrayal of and nostalgia for a bleak urban England of the past. " [32] Britpop band Blur "formed as a result of seeing The Smiths on British television's South Bank Show in 1987. Blur are an English Alternative rock band that formed in London in 1989 However, even though leading bands from the Britpop movement claimed to be influenced by The Smiths, the Britpop bands were at odds with the "basic anti-establishment philosophies of Morrissey and The Smiths", since Britpop "was an entirely commercial construct. " In the book Saint Morrissey, the author claims that Britpop "airbrush[ed] Morrissey out of the picture. . . so that the Nineties and its centrally-planned and coordinated pop economy could happen. " [33] Other bands influenced by The Smiths include Suede, The Libertines, The Sundays, Throwing Muses, The Organ, Brand New, The Verve, and Doves. Suede (or The London Suede in the United States) were an English rock band of the 1990s and the early 2000s that helped start the Britpop musical The Libertines were an English Indie rock band Formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Pete Doherty (vocals/rhythm guitar and Carl Barât (vocals/lead Throwing Muses are an Alternative rock band formed in 1981 in Newport Rhode Island, that toured and recorded extensively until 1997 when its members began concentrating The Organ was a Canadian Indie pop band formed in 2001 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Brand New is an Alternative rock band based in the United States. The Verve (originally Verve) are an English rock band formed in Wigan, Greater Manchester in 1989 at Winstanley Sixth Doves is an English Indie rock band which formed in Wilmslow, Cheshire, England, although most of their early gigs

Journalist Chloe Veltman argues that "the fanatical adoration surrounding Morrissey today is founded on nostalgia, specifically a yearning for the Morrissey of the 1980s — the superstar-outsider frontman of The Smiths. " She argues that The "Smiths have had a much more profound influence on subsequent culture than Morrissey has had on his own over the entire 17 year history of his solo career. " She also points out that the "extensive catalogue of pop bands, plays, novels, films and other cultural artifacts that have been influenced by Morrissey's ideas and aesthetics draw their inspiration from The Smiths rather than Morrissey solo. " [34]

Discography

Studio albums

Compilations and live albums

Singles

Re-issues

Samples

Notes

  1. ^ Reynolds, Simon. Rip It Up and Start Again: Postpunk 1978–1984. Penguin, 2005. p. 392
  2. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "The Smiths". All Music Guide. allmusic (previously All Music Guide) is a Metadata database about music owned by All Media Guide. Retrieved August 9, 2006. Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.
  3. ^ Sputnikmusic.com
  4. ^ Interview (http). Melody Maker, cited at Hiddenbyrags. Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly Music Newspaper com (1984). Retrieved on April 22, 2007.
  5. ^ Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance by Johnny Rogan
  6. ^ Simon Goddard, The Smiths: The Songs That Saved Your Life, Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, pp. 46-53.
  7. ^ Band Aid vs. Morrissey... (http). Overyourhead. co. uk (November 18, 2004). Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Retrieved on April 22, 2007.
  8. ^ Kelly, Danny (February 14, 1987). Events 842 - Charles the Bald and Louis the German swear the Oaths of Strasbourg in the French and German Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar) Exile on Mainstream (http). NME, cited at Foreverill. The New Musical Express (better known as the NME) is a Popular music Magazine in the United Kingdom which has been com. Retrieved on April 22, 2007.
  9. ^ Harris, John. The Smiths - Trouble At Mill/The Queen Is Dead and beyond: part 3. Johnharris. me. uk. Retrieved on April 22, 2007.
  10. ^ Rogan, Johnny (November/December 1992). The Smiths: Johnny Marr's View (http). Record Collector, cited at Foreverill. Record Collector is the United Kingdom 's longest-running monthly music magazine com. Retrieved on April 22, 2007.
  11. ^ Morrissey-Solo.com
  12. ^ BBC News (December 11, 1996). Events 359 - Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, takes office Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Rock band drummer awarded £1m payout (http). BBC, cited at Cemetrygates. com. Retrieved on April 22, 2007.
  13. ^ Nine, Jennifer (August 9, 1997). Events 48 BC - Caesar's civil war: Battle of Pharsalus - Julius Caesar decisively defeats Pompey at Pharsalus Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar Exile on Mainstream (http). Melody Maker, cited at Motorcycleaupairboy. Melody Maker, published in the United Kingdom, was according to its publisher IPC Media, the world's oldest weekly Music Newspaper com. Retrieved on April 22, 2007.
  14. ^ Joyce vs. Morrissey and Others (http). England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Decisions (1998). Retrieved on February 16, 2007.
  15. ^ Statement from Morrissey, 30 November 2005. Retrieved on 2007-12-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways
  16. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (2005). Smiths Members Regrouping For Cancer Benefit (http). Billboard. com. Retrieved on August 15, 2006.
  17. ^ Johnny and the Healers play Manchester Versus Cancer charity concert (http). Jmarr. com (December 16, 2005). Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Retrieved on April 22, 2007.
  18. ^ Antrobus, Stuart (2006). Morrissey: 'I'd Rather Eat My Testicles Than Re-form The Smiths' (http). Gigwise. com. Retrieved on August 15, 2006.
  19. ^ Jeckell, Barry A. (2006). Morrissey: Smiths Turned Down Millions To Reunite (http). CNN. com. Retrieved on August 15, 2006.
  20. ^ Melia, Daniel (2006). Morrissey: 'The Smiths Don't Deserve To Be On Stage With Me' (http). Gigwise. com. Retrieved on August 21, 2006.
  21. ^ Anon (2007). Morrissey rejects fresh attempt at Smiths reunion (http). NME. com. Retrieved on August 23, 2007.
  22. ^ Press release regarding tour dates, 22 August 2007. Retrieved on 2007-12-07. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways
  23. ^ Morrissey announces new album - reunion tour Smiths a hoax, <http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=26177_0_2_0_C>. Retrieved on 2007-10- 
  24. ^ Johnny Marr Doesn’t Rule Out Smiths Reunion With Morrissey, <http://britmusicscene.com/johnny-marr-doesnt-rule-out-smiths-reunion-with-morrissey/>. Retrieved on 8 January 2008 
  25. ^ Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine from the All Music Guide
  26. ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:WO8NB6KZhC4J:www.rollingstone.com/artists/thecranberries/albums/album/249770/review/5943936/everybody_else_is_doing_it_so_why_cant_we
  27. ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:NHA4T1IDwMkJ:news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3005033.stm
  28. ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:NHA4T1IDwMkJ:news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3005033.stm
  29. ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:NHA4T1IDwMkJ:news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/music/3005033.stm
  30. ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:1kIJrowrzqsJ:www.musicnotes.com/features/artists/the_killers/
  31. ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:tRW7uTL6KcgJ:www.gigwise.com/artist/1379/the-killers+The+Smiths+influence+The+Killers&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=30&gl=ca&lr=lang_en|lang_fr
  32. ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:ixMT95WMxB0J:www.believermag.com/exclusives/%3Fread%3Darticle_veltman+The+Smiths+influence+Blur&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=40&gl=ca&lr=lang_en|lang_fr
  33. ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:ixMT95WMxB0J:www.believermag.com/exclusives/%3Fread%3Darticle_veltman+The+Smiths+influence+Blur&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=40&gl=ca&lr=lang_en|lang_fr
  34. ^ http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:ixMT95WMxB0J:www.believermag.com/exclusives/%3Fread%3Darticle_veltman+The+Smiths+influence+Blur&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=40&gl=ca&lr=lang_en|lang_fr Among these works are "Playwright Shaun Duggan's stage drama William, Douglas Coupland's 1998 novel Girlfriend in a Coma, Andrew Collins' autobiography Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now, Marc Spitz's novel How Soon is Never? , the pop band Shakespeare's Sister and the Polish filmmaker Przemyslaw Wojcieszek's short fictional film about two Polish fans of The Smiths, Louder Than Bombs, are all named after songs by The Smiths.

References

External links

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