Andy Rourke pumped out killer bassline after killer bassline and they were so good that everyone was convinced Marr wrote them until he himself said it was all Andy. The real chemistry in the band was between bass and guitar not bass and vocals.
Quick answer: Morrissey and Tony allegedly met, says Tony, for a possible record deal. Tony asked what Moz wants, Moz pointed to a poster of Elvis and said "I want to be a star". Tony then walked out on him.
And might I add what an amazingly humble man Johnny Marr is. One of the greatest guitarists of all time with an instantly recognisable sound who wrote of the greatest tunes of the 80s. Legend.
I like Wilson's style, he always cuts through the BS and would ask thought provoking questions instead of coddling the members. I wish more interviews were like this.
Tony Wilson is easily as important as _any_ musician in the Manchester/UK scene (and more so than most). UK music was infinitely more interesting because of him and is all the worse off for his death. He will be calling him Steven because, as AndyUnwritten pointed out, he knew him when he was still a school kid well before the Smiths. Morrissey sent him a record cover of the New York Dolls and told him he should stick them on So It Goes (or something that), so Morrissey obviously respected him
I had huge affection for Tony Wilson - but his signing instincts weren't great. Another example: He was interested in signing "The Stone Roses" but passed because their name and the production of their first LP (Misery Dictionary) had him figuring they were a goth band.
I think it was pretty humble of Andy and Mike to not complain about being more or less robbed of some of the fame that they maybe deserved. I mean, in my opinion Andy was an incredible bassist.
Combined, they make up 50% of one of the greatest bands of all time but let's be honest - They were little more than hired hands to complete the act. We all know who the Smiths really were.
@@Pointblankmos Not at all. In fact my comment is both considered and accurate. The Smiths are still one of my all time favourite bands and I don't see that changing any time soon. There's no hating or even scoffing towards the rhythm section just a statement of fact, Take away Joyce and Rourke and I think it's fair to say Morrissey and Marr would still go on to great things. Take away Morrissey/Marr and I'm not so sure the other two would. Hope this helps.
it’s so hard to find smiths interviews with mike and andy in them!! it’s almost 99% percent of the time morrissey, and sometimes (but rarely) johnny. love this!!!
Just saw "24 Hour Party People" last weekend and am obsessed with the music scene that flick dramatized. It truly is mind blowing how many amazing, influential, and ground breaking bands came out of Manchester during the late 70s/early 80s and beyond . . .
So glad this video was posted. I was feeling really depressed and it always helps to see Tony again, even though we can only see him on film these days. Such a great interviewer..just made life so much more interesting. He had such charisma , and was the most impressive man of my generation in the North WestI And a sweetheart too. I think most of us loved him really and still miss him very badly!!
Great interview, Tony Wilson asking fair questions to the band members of The Smiths. A group very relevant that changed music 1983 to 87, a one off. Morrissey comes across eloquently. He seem much more bitter today. Johnny Marr driving force behind unique guitar sound. I like the way Tony Wilson was inclusive and got the thoughts of drummer Mike Joyce & Bassist Andy Rourke and their important input into The Smiths work. Nice work here.
Thank you for this! We had absolutely no coverage of The Smiths in the U.S.A. during the '80s. Only the alternative stations would play their music. And no interviews could be found anywhere.
Argh! It got cut off at the last line which was bloody priceless. Moz: (on why he wanted to be a pop star) "...it makes life quite interesting. You should try it sometime." Zzzing.
I agree, I think he was one of the best interviewers, he wasn't even up his own bands arses in interviews. He asked much more interest questions than 90% of people would have, then or now.
You honestly think so, a lot of arpeggios follow a distinct pattern, like 'Hold on...' but Johnny makes more of a melody out of his arpeggios. I guess a lot of jingly jangle arpeggio's can sound similar, but Johnny's playing isn't as repetitive as the rest, that's what made him the prized picker that he is. Johnny is the man.
Dear Morrissey - those gorgeous eyebrows, and as ever a nice turn of phrase. "It doesn't make life worse" - oh, how we miss this from pop stars today. Dear old Johnny, Mike and Andy too - such a brilliant band. The humour, intelligence and modesty of all concerned - even Morrissey, really - is a delight.
Tony was still calling him Steven. Lol. He knew that annoyed the shit out of him. But he knew Morrissey before he became famous, even went to his house. He told Tony that he would be famous and he looked at him like he was crazy. So in a way Tony was being a bit jealous of his success and wanted to piss him off a bit in this interview. Also he was bitter because he turned down The Smiths for his Factory label. So Tony came out a loser in all of this.
I know this comment was 2 years ago, but although yes, Tony was disappointed with himself that he turned them down, he certainly wasn't the loser, factory labels were still the biggest label in England, with bands such as New Order and Happy Mondays, although the Smiths were bigger at the time, it is bands like New Order that have had the most influence in the long run, all thanks to Tony
@simonpenum I wouldn't say Johnny gave a contemptuous sneer at the Mozart reference. He looked more taken aback, before breaking into an approving & appreciative smile :--)
Let's think about their output... They were only together from 83 to 87... All those songs... Those studio albums and the stand alone singles. .. Ask.. Panic... Etc etc..... etc etc......
Remembering Anthony H Wilson, on his birthday born 20th February, 1950. Sadly, Tony , was a complete one off, who left us far too early. He loved the place he was born and spent his life proving it. He left us with an aura of Manchester and Salford we will never forget.
Steven, Steven, Steven!! How many times does he say it? And Moz responds everytime! Can't see that happening anymore but maybe that was because he had a little repect for TW and it was 1985 :-)
It is. The first thing he plays is the opening chord of Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Know (only the first chord!). Then they start talking, and then he plays a full chord version of Reel Around the Fountain. After that he plays the picking version of Reel Around the Fountain. The last riff is the opening riff of Nowhere Fast.
He was just joking, cos in spite that Smiths are from Manchester, they signed on a London Record Label. Tony would really like them to have signed on Factory Records.
@202GM 1:58 the first chord F#maj7 from 'Heaven Knows.....' 2:10 He is just giving an example of folk strumming, but using the chords to 'Reel Around The Fountain' 2:28 Does the arpeggio to 'Reel Around The Fountain' 2:46 Nowhere Fast
Marr about Reel Around the Fountain: "Reel Around The Fountain" [The Smiths] was my interpretation of James Taylor's version of "Handy Man". I was trying to do a classic melodic pop tune, and it had the worst kind of surface prettiness to it.'' You can hear it's based on Taylor's Handy Man when he plays the full chords. So the riff he plays at 2:10 is Handy Man[Taylor]/Reel Around the Fountain, to answer your question.
Let's think about their output... They were only together from 83 to 87... All those songs... Those studio albums and the stand alone singles. .. Ask.. Panic... Etc etc..... etc etc...... In the midst of live we are in death etc......
You may think the interviewer prick but tony wilson had a huge impact on the manchester music scene and I'm sad he died last month. He was called much worse by far more talented people - watch the movie 24 hour party people to find out.
Of 10% percent in royalty I would have sued to! Money isn't a big issue but it's required in this world... Smiths, fan? I don't think so Morrissey was really fortunate to have Mike & Andy they were the heart, Johnny Marr was the brain and Morrissey the soul.. which you can't live with out.... understand. I love the Smiths as a band and human beings, simplicity is never complicated.
Andy is sweet & Humble. Andy & Mike were robed. They were a big part of the Smiths Sound just as much as Moz & Marr were. Moz is pompous & greedy (sorry).
@@margaretjbuckley why are you trying to start an argument based off nothing. He’s apologising for what some people might think of the comment. The fact that you would dissect the comment and have that to say is pathetic.
It's not. Marr still owns this guitar. There's a video from about 2009 of Marr using this guitar, playing Headmaster Ritual on it. Different pickups and a Bigsby on it now. The Townsend one he gave to Noel was a 1960 sunburst one (or a 1968 converted to 1960 spec, according to some things I've read). After the accident where it got broke (and it was an accident, despite some people making out like Noel broke it deliberately), Marr gave him a black Les Paul Custom, which Marr used on "The Queen is Dead", and oddly, used it again when he guested on an Oasis track many years later.
