Mark E Smith was the distictive and uncompromising frontman of the British post-punk band The Fall. His cranky and complex personality earned him a reputation to be difficult to work with and made him a cult icon in underground music circles. His approach to music was unconventional, as he didn't have a high regard for musicianship, and said that "rock & roll isn’t even music really. It's a mistreating of instruments to get feelings over"
Mark E. Smith was born in Broughton, Lancashire in March 1957. As a teenager, he listened mostly experimental rockers like Captain Beefheart and the Velvet Underground. He formed The Fall after attending a Sex Pistols gig at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in June 1976.
During The Fall's 42-year existence he was the lead vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, and general mastermind of the band and its line-up included some 60 musicians who, with Smith, released 32 studio albums and numerous singles. Although their music was not liked by everyone, with its abrasive style and monotine vocals, it left a huge imprint on '90s indie rock.
He died in January 2018 at the age if 60.
Mark E. Smith of The Fall pictured on wasteland in the centre of Manchester where now stands the new Co-op building.
Stunning photograph of Morrissey by Mary McCartney taken at the Royal Festival Hall, London in 2004
Mick Jagger with the Rolling Stones performing in Glasgow, 1973
Frank Zappa captured in a hotel in Sussex in June 1970, holding the artwork for the latest Mothers of Invention album
Fleetwood Mac during a photocall on a cruise ship in the Rotterdam harbour before a pair of concerts in Amsterdam, April 1977.
Sir Cliff Richard is a British pop singer, musician, performer, actor & philanthropist, he has sold more than 250 million records worldwide.
Sir Elton John is an English pianist, singer-songwriter, composer & pop icon who has sold millions of records and won countless awards.
With his distinctive raspy voice and profound lyricism, Rod Stewart is one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
The Beatles were an English rock band, formed in Liverpool in 1960 and widely regarded as the most influential acts of the rock era.
Curated collection of authentic, signed limited edition fine art prints by legendary rock music photographer, Mck Rock
A fantastic curated collection of museum quality fine art prints by leading music photographer Barry Schultz
Welcome to our Jazz & Blues Print Collection - over 50 years of iconic images of the world's greatest Jazz & Blues musicians
The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best
