The Smiths; Timeline

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/5730/mojo10eu4.jpg


MAY 1982;
Veteran of local bands Freaky Party, Sister Ray and White Dice, guitarist Johnny Marr teams up with Steven Patrick Morrissey, ex-UK president of the New York Dolls (Inset) fan club and sometime member of the nosebleeds.

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/5421/newyorkdolls11bg0.jpg


September 1982;
After recording demos with Fall drummer Simon Wolstencroft, Morrissey and Marr form The Smiths with bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce.


October 4, 1982;
The Smiths' first gig, supporting Blue Rondo A La Turk at The Ritz in Manchester.


March 23, 1983;
First London live date at The Rock Garden.


May 1983;
Based on a one-off single deal, Rough Trade release debut 45 ''Hand In Glove''. The band also record their first Peel session.


July 1983;
''Hand In Glove'' tops the Indie Chart; The Smiths sign to Rough Trade.

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/9222/200pxhandinyo8.gif


November 1983;
''This Charming Man'' is The Smiths' first UK Top 30 hit, peaking at No25, helped by the iconic hearing aid and gladioli performance on Top Of The Pops.

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/4278/200pxthischarmingmansindn1.png


February 1984;
The Smiths' eponymous debut LP is released. It reaches No2 in the UK.


May 1984;
''Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now'' is the band's first Top 10 hit.


February 1985;
Teeming with vicious headmasters, pre-ASBO thugs and crusading veggies, the controversial 'Meat Is Murder' knocks Bruce Springsteen's 'Born In The USA' off the UK No1 spot.


October 1985;
The Iconic 'The Queen Is Dead' Photoshoot takes place at The Salford Lads Club.

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/7186/mojo8vl4.jpg


June 1986;
'The Queen Is Dead' enters the UK LP chart at No2.


February 1987;
The Smiths play their last live gig at Italy's San Remo Festival. A month later, the band announce they'll sign a new deal with EMI.


August 1987;
Despite Morrissey's NME denila (''Whoever says The Smiths have split shall be severely spanked by me with a wet plimsoll''), increasing internal friction leads to the break-up. The band vainly attempt to carry on without Marr, drafting in Easterhouse guitarist Ivor Perry.

September 1987;
Swansong 'Strangeways, Here We Come' is released. One month later, Morrissey begins recording 'Viva Hate' at The Wool Hall, Bath.

December 1987;
''Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me'' - The Smiths' final single - stalls at No30.