Smiths

The time was 1982. The place was Manchester, England. And in an era when music was starting to pull itself out of the rubble and ash of the English punk scene, the Smiths burst into the world. Their sound had its own way of captivating audiences. Music critics throughout the U.K. flocked to the sultry sound of (Stephen Patrick) Morrissey's intimate and angst-filled lyrics. Their music truly marked the beginning of the British alternative rock scene.

The year Morrissey joined forces with guitarist Johnny Marr, the two made magic. The words set to a backdrop of Marr's melodic guitar hooks allowed young people tired of the angry, thrashing sounds of punk to adopt a new lead. With the addition of Andy Rourke on bass and Mike Joyce on drums, the Smiths music exploded onto the scene and captivated thousands on both sides of the Atlantic.

Morrissey had a way about himself that young, troubled romantic types could relate to. His lyrics dug deep into his soul and reached out to everyone who listened to them. Marr's tight, sensuous guitar riffs created a perfect marriage with Morrissey's words.

In the five years that the Smiths enjoyed their success, they produced four full-length albums and two EPs that featured singles and B-sides. Their first album, the self-titled The Smiths, introduced classic Smiths tunes that had simple yet catchy pop-rock rhythms. It produced the ballad "Hand In Glove," which to many is the consummate love song, rivaling that of Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart."

The next five years saw albums like the somewhat flat Meat Is Murder and The Queen Is Dead, an album that propelled the Smiths into even further greatness. Many still refer to the latter as the band's one and only masterpiece. Their farewell album, 1987's Strangeways Here We Come, is considered a weak send-off to a full career.

After the Smiths parted ways in the fall of 1987, Marr went on to play with the likes of the Pretenders, The The and Electronic, while Rourke and Joyce initially joined up to play with Sinead O'Connor; later Joyce ultimately paired up with the newly re-formed Buzzcocks.

Morrissey went on to a hugely successful solo career, building a staunchly loyal following. He continues to play sold-out shows throughout the United States and Europe.

Discography: