"I am the son,
And the heir,
Of a shyness that is criminally vulgar…"

The popularity of new wave was coming to a close in the mid-80s, and young music fans needed a new alternative sound to latch on to. The Smiths were there when opportunity called, discarding stacks of synthesizers for a return to guitar-oriented music that still had all the angst necessary for their fans to identify with. Their style, filled with a sort of mock snobbish irreverence and sensitivity, could almost be construed as an inside joke, one that their fans not only understood, but welcomed with open arms.

The Smiths formed as a result of guitarist Johnny Marr, who had played with such bands as Sister Ray and Freaky Part, being in need of a lyricist. In 1982, he found what he was looking for in Steven Patrick Morrissey, an eccentric writer who preferred to simply go by his last name. Morrissey had found some success as an author, having penned a biography on the New York Dolls, as well as James Dean Is Not Dead, a commentary on the phenomenon of fame and success. The duo started writing songs together and eventually brought drummer Simon Wolstencroft into the mix. The trio picked perhaps the most generic name they could think of for their band, The Smiths, and began working on a series of demos.

Wolstencroft’s participation was short-lived, having decided to jump ship and join The Fall. He was replaced by drummer, Mike Joyce, with bassist Andy Rourke added to the lineup as well to complete the project. The group rehearsed extensively in the rehearsal studios of their native Manchester, and began working on a recording to be released by Rough Trade Records. Word-of-mouth made its way to London and, as a result, the band scored two hits on alternative radio stations with “Hand In Glove,” featuring vocalist Sandie Shaw (of whom Morrissey was a major fan) and “This Charming Man.” Finally, in 1984, their debut album was released, simply called The Smiths. With a polished sound, accentuated by Morrissey’s unique and intelligent approach to lyrics, it wasn’t long before the band was generating a cult-like following through Britain.

But it wasn’t only Morrissey’s lyrical abilities that were capturing the attention of the public; but his provocative, often controversial personality as well, displayed both on stage and in the press. He could readily be found sharing his personal take on politics and the music and film industry, warmly embracing his celibacy, or performing such antics as wearing a hearing aid in tribute of 50s singer Johnny Ray and stuffing flowers down his pants to honor Oscar Wilde. His personality could be cocky at times, self-depreciating at others, but always with an underlying layer of his trademarked perpetual misery. The press ate it up and begged for more.

On the success of their previous hits, The Smiths released Hatful of Hollow, a compilation of their earliest work, as well as a new studio album, Meat is Murder in 1995. Prominently displayed were Marr’s lush guitar arrangements, which included both six and twelve string instruments, and provided the perfect atmospheric backdrop to the poetic lyrics. On their next release, The Queen is Dead, the band brought second guitarist Craig Gannon aboard, to further enhance the sound of the band. It was a nice idea, but a rather short-lived one. By 1986, there was plenty of angst going on amongst band members, with Rourke dismissed from the band thanks to a substance abuse issue, and Gannon following close behind. On top of that, Marr was involved in a major auto accident, leaving the band’s future up in the air. Eventually, Marr was back on his feet and Rourke was allowed to return. Their return to the stage to promote The Queen is Dead was enthusiastically received by their many loyal fans, who were grateful to see their heroes’ triumphant return.

Sadly, all was not as it appeared on the surface. Morrissey and Marr were at creative odds that seemed irreconcilable, with Morrissey locked into a retro 60s vibe that Marr wasn’t keen on, and Marr doing a little too much work outside the band for Morrissey’s tastes. Neither was willing to compromise their individual passions, which just so happened to be the same characteristics that their fans most adored. Even their supporters couldn’t prevent the inevitable, and in 1987, the band announced its demise to the press. To lessen the blow to the fans, they released two more albums posthumously – Strangeways, Here We Come, followed by Rank.

Marr continued his lucrative session work for such artists as The Pretenders and Brian Ferry, as well as joining the band The The. He would later form a new project called Electronic, alongside Bernard Summer of the band, New Order. Morrissey, meanwhile, pursued a successful solo career. As for bandmates, Joyce and Rourke, their future included a lawsuit directed at the founding duo over past royalties. Joyce won his case, while Rourke opted to settle out of court but it was an ugly drawn-out court battle that left a sour note on their legacy.

To date, Morrissey and Marr have each insisted that they have no intentions of reuniting the band. VH1 tried valiantly to get them to change their minds and appear on the show Bands Reunited but Morrissey refused to commit and the plans were scrapped. The same year, Marr agreed to perform with his band, Johnny Marr and the Healers at a cancer benefit that Andy Rourke had organized. The rumor mill began spinning that a Smiths reunion might occur at the event, but it turned out that these two former band members were the only two in attendance.

Morrissey remains insufferably stubborn in his refusal to bring The Smiths back to the stage, turning down offers as high as $50 million in 2008 for his agreement to participate in a reunion tour. The rumors persist of potential reconciliation, but they appear to be only that – rumors. Still, fans received a small consolation gift in 2008, with the release of the completely remastered compilation album, The Sound of The Smiths. Perhaps, it's not enough to lessen angst of their fans, but then again, that angst is what likely drew them to the band in the first place. Regardless, it is clear that everyone will just have to find solace in the wonderful collection of music that remains to remember their heroes by.