The Smiths

The Smiths were a British indie group active between 1982 and 1987. The group was a four-piece consisted of vocalist Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce.

After gaining some critical success on the indie circuit, including airplay and session recordings for John Peel, the group began to achieve mainstream pop culture success in late 1983 with the single This Charming Man, followed by a no.2 eponymous debut album and a string of hits from 1984 onwards. Their last UK top 30 single came at the end of 1987.

The group released four studio albums, including one no.1 (Meat is Murder, 1985) and three no.2s in the UK. A 1987 compilation album and a posthumous live album also reached no.2

The band effectively split in September 1987, although Marr had already left some months earlier.

The Smiths are considered one of the most important 'indie' groups of the twentieth century, with their legacy continuing long after they ceased recording and playing together.

Bass player Andy Rourke died in May 2023, aged 59, exactly forty years aftyer the release of The SMith's debut single Hand in Glove.

Discography
UK Only (highest UK chart placing in brackets)

Re-releases

 * 1992: This Charming Man (08), How Soon Is Now? (16), There Is A Light That Never Goes Out (25, first release as single)

Radio
All BBC Radio 1:

Sessions

 * John Peel: 31 May 1983 / 21 September 1983 / 09 August 1984 / 17 December 1986
 * David Jensen: 04 July 1983 / 05 September 1983