The Smiths were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1982, composed of singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. Morrissey and Marr formed the band's songwriting partnership. The Smiths are regarded as one of the most important acts to emerge from 1980s British independent music.
The Smiths in 1984 (from left to right): Andy Rourke, Morrissey, Johnny Marr and Mike Joyce.
The Smiths in 1984
Morrissey performing at SXSW in Austin, Texas in 2006
Johnny Marr performing as part of the group the Cribs at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC, in 2010
Steven Patrick Morrissey, known mononymously as Morrissey, is an English singer and songwriter. He came to prominence as the frontman and lyricist of rock band the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. Since then, he has pursued a successful solo career. Morrissey's music is characterised by his baritone voice and distinctive lyrics with recurring themes of emotional isolation, sexual longing, self-deprecating and dark humour, and anti-establishment stances.
Morrissey in 2005
Morrissey idolised American film actor James Dean and published a book about him.
A typical shirt worn on stage by Morrissey in the 1980s, on display at the Barcelona Hard Rock Café
In the 1990s Morrissey sold out The Forum in Los Angeles in fifteen minutes