They were, their fans believe, the best band in the world. Critics and sales figures told a similar story: every one of their seven albums between 1984 and 1988 made number one or number two in the UK charts. Twenty-five years after their break-up, the band remain as adored and discussed as ever. This work is about one of the most beloved, respected, and storied indie rock bands in music history. Hailing from Manchester, England, The Smiths: Steven Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke, and Mike Joyce, were critical and popular favorites throughout their mid-1980s heyday and beyond. Here the author paints a portrait of the personalities within the group: Morrissey, the witty, literate lead singer whose loner personality and complex lyrics made him an icon; his songwriting partner Marr, the gregarious guitarist; and the rhythm section duo of bassist Rourke and drummer Joyce. Despite the band's tragic breakup at the height of their success, this book is a celebration: the saga of four working-class kids from a northern English city who come together despite contrasting personalities, find a musical bond, inspire a fanatical following, and leave a legacy that changed the music world, and the lives of their fans.
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