The Smiths
Formed in 1982, the Manchester band featured the songwriting partnership of Morrissey (vocals) and Johnny Marr (guitar), and also included Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce(drums).
They were critically acclaimed and have been described as "one of the most important alternative rock bands to emerge from the British Indie music scene of the 1980s". There is no doubt that The Smiths have influenced many artists. Morrissey's depressing tales of loneliness and misery found a cult following by those bored by the commercial synth/pop bands of the early 1980s. Johnny Marr's complex melodies helped return guitar-based music to popularity.
Signed to the independent record label Rough Trade Records,
for whom they released four studio albums, several compilations, and many non-LP singles, they had limited commercial
success outside the UK while they were still together. They never charted higher than number 10 in the UK pop charts.
The band broke up in 1987 after disagreements
between Morrissey and Johnny Marr, and turned down several offers to
reform.
- Studio albums (with links to Wikipedia)
