THE SMITHS

The Smiths made their live debut late in 1982 and by the spring of 1983, the group had earned a small, but loyal, following in their hometown of Manchester and had begun to make inroads in London. Rejecting a record deal with the Mancunian Factory Records, the band signed with Rough Trade for a one-off single, "Hand In Glove." With its veiled references to homosexuality and its ringing riffs, "Hand in Glove" became an underground sensation in the UK, topping the independent charts and earning the praise of the UK music weeklies. Soon, Morrissey's performances became notorious, as he appeared on stage wearing a hearing aid and with gladiolas stuffed in his back pockets.

His interviews were becoming famous for his forthright, often contrary opinions, which helped the band become media sensations. By the time of the group's second single, "This Charming Man," in late 1983, the Smiths had already been the subject of controversy over their songs "Reel Around the Fountain," a song that had been aired on a BBC radio session and was alleged to condone child abuse. It was the first time that Morrissey's detached, literary and ironic lyrics were misinterpreted and it wouldn't be the last.

After rejecting their initial stab at a first album, the Smiths released their eponymous debut in the spring of 1984, to strong reviews and sales -- it peaked at number two. Though the Smiths had become the most popular new rock & roll group in Britain, the group failed to make it outside of underground and college radio in the US, partially because they never launched a full-scale tour. At the end of the year, "William It Was Really Nothing" became a Top 20 hit and Hatful of Hollow, a collection of B-sides, BBC sessions and non-LP singles, went to the Top 10, followed shortly by "How Soon Is Now" peaking at number 24.

Meat is Murder, the band's second proper studio album, entered the British charts at number one in February of 1985, despite some criticism that it was weaker than The Smiths. By the time the non-LP "Shakespeare's Sister" reached number 26 in the spring of 1985, the Smiths had spawned a rash of soundalike bands, including James, who opened for the group on their spring 1985 tour, most of which Morrissey supported. However, all of the media attention on the Smiths launched a mild backlash later in 1985, when "That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore" was pulled from Meat Is Murder and failed to reach the Top 40.

"The Boy With the Thorn In His Side" revived the band's fortunes in the fall of 1985, and their third album, The Queen Is Dead confirmed their popularity upon its release in the spring of 1986. Hang the DJ," reached number 11 late in the summer. A few months after its release, Marr was seriously injured in a car crash. During his recuperation, Gannon was fired from the band, as was Rourke, who was suffering from heroin addiction. Though Rourke was later reinstated, Gannon was never replaced.

The Smiths may have been at the height of their popularity in early 1987, with the non-LP singles "Shoplifters of the World" and "Sheila Take A Bow" reaching number 11 and 10 respectively and the singles and B-sides compilation The World Won't Listen (revamped for US release as Louder Than Bombs later in 1987) debuting at number two, but Marr was growing increasingly disenchanted with the band and the music industry. Over the course of the year, Morrissey and Marr became increasingly irritated with each other. A few weeks before the fall release of Strangeways, Here We Come, Marr announced that he was leaving the Smiths. Morrissey disbanded the group shortly afterward and began a solo career, signing with Parlophone in the UK and staying with the Smiths' US label, Reprise. Marr played as a sideman with a variety of artists, eventually forming Electronic with New Order frontman Bernard Sumner. Rourke retired from recording and Joyce became a member of the reunited Buzzcocks in 1991.

Rank, a live album recorded on the Queen is Dead tour, was released in the fall of 1988. It debuted at number two in the UK. A widely-criticized, two-part Best of compilation was released in 1992; the praised Singles compilation was released in 1995. Joyce and Rourke sued Morrissey and Marr in 1991, claiming they received only 10 percent of the group's earnings while the songwriters received 40 percent. Rourke eventually settled out of court, but Joyce won his case in late 1996. An appeal was scheduled.