Morrissey (born 22 May 1959) is an English singer, songwriter and author. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the indie rock band The Smiths, which was active from 1982 to 1987. Since then, Morrissey has had a solo career, making the top ten of the UK Singles Chart on ten occasions.
As a child he developed a love of literature, kitchen sink realism and popular music. Involved in Manchester's punk rock scene during the late 1970s, he fronted two punk bands, The Nosebleeds and Slaughter & The Dogs, with little success. With Johnny Marr he established The Smiths in 1982, soon attracting national recognition for their self-titled debut album. As the band's frontman, Morrissey attracted attention both for his intelligent, witty, and sardonic lyrics and his idiosyncratic appearance; deliberately avoiding rock machismo, he cultivated the aesthetic of a social outsider who eschewed drugs and embraced celibacy.
The Smiths released five further albums – including the critically acclaimed Meat is Murder and The Queen is Dead – and had a string of hit singles. Personal differences between Morrissey and Marr resulted in The Smiths' separation in 1987.
Highly influential, Morrissey is widely credited as being a seminal figure in the emergence of indie rock and Britpop. He has been acclaimed as one of the greatest lyricists in British history, with his lyrics having become the subject of academic study. However, his forthright opinions – endorsing vegetarianism and animal rights, condemning royalty and prominent politicians, and questioning issues of British national and cultural identity – have courted controversy.
Morrissey performing upside down on a monitor during his Kill Uncle Tour at the Jones Beach Theatre, Wantagh, New York in July 1991
Morrissey performing at the GLC's 'Jobs for a Change' Festival on London's South Bank
Early image of The Smiths on a shoot in 1983 on the outskirts of Manchester
Limited edition of Morgan Howell's original painting of the cover of The Rolling Stones 'Brown Sugar' vinyl single
Terry Pastor's photograph of David Bowie from the 'Hunky Dory' album cover photo session.
This iconic 'Umbrella' image was taken in Scotland in 1964 on the banks of Loch Earn.
Critics have called The Smiths the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s.
David Bowie was a leading figure in popular music for over five decades & regarded by critics & musicians as a true innovator.
Queen are a British rock band credited with making significant contributions to such genres as hard rock & heavy metal, among others.
Joy Division (originally named Warsaw), an English rock band formed in 1976 were one of the pioneers of the post-punk movement.
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
The Rolling Stones have been entertaining audiences for more than 50 years. Our collections share the best images spanning their career
Welcome to our Jazz & Blues Print Collection - over 50 years of iconic images of the world's greatest Jazz & Blues musicians
Our contact sheet collection is a rare opportunity to look back at the hidden moments surrounding some of rocks most iconic images.
