The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead (35th anniversary)

Today (June 16th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of The Queen Is Dead, the third studio album from the Smiths. This 1981 release was certified Gold in both the UK (where it reached number 2) and the US (where it only reached number 70 on the Billboard Album chart during its thirty-seven week run).

For more from this album, click here.

For more from the Smiths, click here.

the Smiths - Meat Is Murder (30th anniversary)

Tomorrow (February 11th) is the 30th anniversary of Meat Is Murder, the second studio album from the Smiths. It went to number 110 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a thirty-two week total run on the chart), number 58 in Australia, number 45 in Germany, number 40 in Canada, number 39 in the Netherlands, number 27 in Sweden, number 13 in New Zealand, and number 1 in the UK.

For my full review, click here.

The Smiths - Hatful of Hollow

This week (November 12th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Hatful of Hollow, a compilation album featuring BBC Radio 1 recordings and a few new tracks from the Smiths. This Platinum seller went to number 91 in Canada, number 28 in Sweden, number 21 in New Zealand and number 7 in the UK.

The Smiths - The Smiths

Today (February 20th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from the Smiths. This 1984 release only got to number 150 on the US Billboard Album chart (with eleven weeks total on the chart). It did however, climb to number 77 in Australia, number 65 in Canada, number 44 in Sweden, number 28 in the Netherlands, number 9 in New Zealand and number 2 in the UK (with thirty-three weeks total on that chart).

Happy Birthday, Andy Rourke

Happy forty-eighth birthday today (January 17) to bass guitarist Andy Rourke.

Born in Manchester, England, Rourke received his first guitar at age 7. At age 11, he made friends with a young John Maher (who would later use the studio name Johnny Marr). At age 15, Rourke dropped out of school to work and play in music; one of the first bands he belonged to was a funk group called Freak Party.

The Smiths - The Queen Is Dead

In June of 1986, the Smiths released their third studio album The Queen Is Dead. The album was certified Gold in both the UK (where it reached number 2) and the US (where it only reached number 70 on the Billboard Album chart). The record appears on Rolling Stone magazines 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list at number 216.

the Smiths - Meat Is Murder

Meat Is Murder was the second studio release from British alternative band the Smiths. This 1985 album (from February 11th of that year), produced by singer Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr, was the band's only number one charted UK album. And while its sales in the US were marginal (it only reached number 110 on the Billboard Album chart), it was a critical favorite. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it at number 295 on its 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time list.