The Smiths
THE SMITHS Released Their Masterly Album ‘THE QUEEN IS DEAD’ Today 40 Years Ago
Significant longplayers from yesteryear
16 June 2026
Manchester’s icons THE SMITHS (1982–1987 / 4 albums) released their masterly
THE QUEEN IS DEAD, their 3rd LP, on 16 June 1986, today 40 years ago today.
The longplayer’s title is taken from American writer Hubert Selby Jr.‘s
1964 novel, The Last Exit To Brooklyn. The LP’s cover features a still of
French actor Alain Delon from the 1964 film L’Insoumies (The Unvanquished).
Delon granted permission for the image’s use, though, according
to Morrissey’s Autobiography, the actor said his parents were
dismayed by the title.
Pitchfork‘s verdict: “A masterpiece marking the Smiths’ imperial phase with Morrissey’s grandly moving lyrics and delivery, alongside Johnny Marr’s sparkling melodies and intricate arrangementsfor. For true believers, the album cemented the Smiths’ status as the greatest group in the world despite their struggle to gain widespread commercial success at the time, and positioned Morrissey as a spurned savior of British music.”
Singles.
– THE BOY WITH THE TORN IN HIS SIDE –
– BIGMOUTH STRIKES AGAIN –
– THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT –
ALBUM
UNCUT Magazine – New Issue With Cover Stars THE SMITHS
24 April 2026
On June 16, indie icons THE SMITHS‘s
masterpiece The Queen Is Dead turns 40.
In this month’s UNCUT cover story, the band’s Mike Joyce (62 now)
reflects on the ineffable spark behind so much great music.
“On a personal level, being in The Smiths was massively intense. That feeling between four people in a band doesn’t happen very often. With The Smiths, it was everything — the four
of us, every single day. We all understood what we had, and that’s what set us apart from
any other band I’d been in.”
Also in this issue Ringo Starr regaling us with his side-hustle in country music, a return
to Talk Talk’s magnum opus Spirit Of Eden, plus more new interviews with The Lemon Twigs,
Jeff Parker, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, The Human League, Laurie Anderson, and an extended report from the opening night of Springsteen’s Land Of Hope And Dreams tour in Minneapolis, and much more to read.
This month’s Free CD features 15 new tracks by
Kevin Morby, Brown Spirits, Tamikrest, Aldous Harding,
and 11 more.
You can purchase a copy and have it sent to your home address. Info HERE.
ROBERT SMITH Is Not A MORRISSEY Fan
December 2025
I’m with you, Robert.
MOJO MAGAZINE Present THE SMITHS And Much More In Their End Of The Year Review Issue
14 November 2025
In this end-of-the-year issue British music monthly MOJO put the spotlight
on English indie legends THE SMITHS (1982–1987), following the new memoir
The Drums by their drummer Mike Joyce.
As this is the last issue of the year MOJO reveals
its 75 best albums, best reissues, best books etc.
The Free CD is a compilation of new music. I features CMAT,
Van Morrison, Paul Weller, Pulp, Wet Leg, David Byrne, Big Thief,
Mavis Staples, Jeff Tweedy, The Tubs and more.
You can purchase a copy and let it
be sent to your home. Info HERE.
Picture This – THE SMITHS Reunion Photo
Ladies and gents… THE SMITHS.
MORRISSEY About THE SMITHS’ Fans In New Interview
18 August 2024
See, Mozz can be nice too, now and then.
Full Morrissey feature in NME right here
(Image: from cover of his Ringleader Of The Tormentors)
JOHNNY MARR Responds To DONALD TRUMP Playing THE SMITHS Song At Rally
Former POTUS Trump included The Smiths’ 1984 classic (more than
223 million streams on Spotify) Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want
on his playlist at his rally in New Hampshire last Monday.
.
Although sources say that he played the song before at rallies, only now former
Smiths‘ guitar hero Johnny Marr got notified for the first time of what happened.
This is his response.
“Ahh …right …OK. I never in a million years would’ve thought this
could come to pass. Consider this shit shut right down, right now.”
Donald Duck Trump should play the old Pointer Sisters hit instead.
BIG BLASTS FROM THE PAST – 10 Albums Turning 40 In 2024
Band: ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
Album: OCEAN RAIN
Released: 4 May 1984
Their 4th LP
Score: #4 in the UK
Stream
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Released: 9 April 1984
Their 2nd one
Score: #27 in the US and #91 in the UK
Stream
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Band: HÜSKER DÜ
Album: ZEN ARCADE
Released: 1 July 1984
Their 2nd LP
Stream
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Band: NICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS
Album: FROM HER TO ETERNITY
Released: May 1984
Debut LP
Stream
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Band: THE SMITHS
Album: THE SMITHS
Released: 20 February 1984
Debut LP
Stream
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Brewing Up With by BILLY BRAGG
Born In The U.S.A. by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
The Unforgettable Fire by U2
Café Blue by THE STYLE COUNCIL
Purple Rain by PRINCE
JOHNNY MARR Plays THE SMITHS With 30-Piece Orchestra
9 December 2023
Guitar hero JOHNNY MARR released a best of album, named
Spirit Power: The Best Of Johnny Marr last month.
This week he played 2 consecutive shows in his hometown Manchester.
Two spectacular concerts as Marr was backed by a 30-piece orchestra.
Solo songs, The Smiths hits and Electronic tunes were played.
Watch the performance of 1988 Smiths classic
There’s A Light That Never Goes Out .
The crowd was a vocal orchestra.
SPIRIT POWER
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Johnny Marr: Instagram – Facebook