What I like about the Smith's story is the result of their collaboration between Morrissey's writing and Marr's Zeitgeist-level guitar language which in my opinion has never been duplicated since it didn't fit into any specific genre. Watching these old videos and seeing Johhny's focus takes me back to my teen years when I self-taught myself both acoustic and electric guitar. What I'd give to capture that obsessive drive again!

Unique and great songwriting group. A British treasure.

In a class of their own. There was Echo, KJ, Gang of Four, Stranglers. Just an amazing time to be alive and aware of this brilliant music coming out.

Morrissey's voice and Johnny's guitar. Perfection.

One of the best bands to come out of the 🇬🇧

I miss the 80s

The smiths would’ve got signed by someone else. Rough trade were fucking lucky Johnny hung around in that shop

As a 17 year old 43 ago , this chanming man transformed my life. Rude boy as well, Morrissey and Marr changed my life. IQ of 160. Multiple degrees, advanced Diplomas, Morrissey hits my soul.

greatest band of my generation ,

What a great time for music.I remember morrissy being asked what would you do if you heard the smiths?He said id go out and start a band called the jones's.Im paraphrasing

rough trade were slaughtered in the morrissey autobiography, and rightly so.

Johnny Marr is pretty smart and aware

"burn down the disco, hang the blessed Dj
because the music that they constantly play... tells me nothing about my life....hang the blessed DJ
Brilliant, loved the 80's

great band

They never sold out. I’ll give them that.  Weren’t  my cup of tea in the 80s but they definitely belonged and were quintessentially British.  Talented buggers.  Poorly managed.

AWESOME BAND

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This full documentary is available here on youtube, it is called "Do it yourself, the story of Rough Trade".

Johnny was my replacement on leaving Sister Ray the band i formed with singer Clive Robinson . Johnny was only 17 when i met him for a run down of the songs we were doing in rehearsals. I shown him the chords and arrangements to the songs, he had a cheap les paul copy guitar. He could play quite well i remember. I knew him when he had nowt as the saying goes !

I often think that Morrissey was working  hard to keep a straight face.

Not sure I'd throw simple minds into the same bin as wet wet wet but ok