The Smiths

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The Smiths: formed 1982 in Manchester, UK; disbanded Sep. 1987. Band members: Morrissey (aka Steven Patrick Morrissey, vocals, piano), Johnny Marr (aka John Martin Maher, guitar, keyboards, mandolin, bass, harmonica), Mike Joyce (drums, backing vocals), Andy Rourke (bass, cello). Other band members: Dale Hibbert (played bass in 1982 for a short period before Andy Rourke had contact with the band), Craig Gannon (played bass and rhythm guitar on live tours in 1986/87). After the disbandment in 1987, Morrissey initiated his solo career by releasing his critically acclaimed solo debut Viva Hate (1988). Johnny Marr started a collaboration work, the project Electronic (1988-1999) with Bernard Sumner of New Order, and Marr became a member of The The (1988-94), guitarist of Modest Mouse (2006-09), and The Cribs (2008-11). Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke became part of Sinéad O'Connors backing band for some time (Rourke played on her album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got, 1990). Rourke also played bass on Morrissey's first solo tracks. Joyce joined the British britpop, glam rock band Suede for a short time in 1991. Both Rourke and Joyce became studio session musicians working with established and up-coming artists.
[ wikipedia has extensive info on the band ]

My own The Smiths collection of mostly vinyl records (1983-1988)

How should I pick only one of their albums? I can't. They only made 4 original studio albums but managed to influence the musical universe like only very few artists. What is so remarkable about these few albums is how strong they appear, individually. The debut The Smiths (Feb. 1984) had been anticipated due to a couple of singles "Hand in Glove" (May 1983) and especially the brilliant "This Charming Man" (Oct. 1983). I remember buying this the day it arrived in my local town that fall. I didn't know of the band before, 'cause no one had paid them any attention - this was their first ever single hit! This was in the days when New Order and Joy Division (also Manchester bands) were my darlings alongside OMD, The Cure, Dead Kennedys and Elvis Costello. I came in looking for something interesting and the shop owner opened this package from London and just handed me this 12" record cover, which immediately caught my attention. He said, they're said to be the next big thing in England. He put it on the turntable and I was amazed. We agreed that this was really something else... and definitely appealing. Of course, I bought a copy and couldn't wait 'till they released an album. So, yes, I knew the band from the start and I kept buying most of their releases as soon as they landed.

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