The definitive biography of the Smiths, one of the most beloved, respected, and storied indie rock bands in music history.
“[Tony] Fletcher . . . combines original interviews with quotes and anecdotes from the vast paper trail of the British music press to piece together this enigmatic band’s rise and fall in obsessive detail.”—Boston Globe
They were, their fans believe, the best band in the world. Hailing from Manchester, England, The Smiths were critical and popular favorites throughout their mid-1980s heyday and beyond, and to this day are considered one of the greatest British rock groups of all time.
A Light That Never Goes Out is the definitive story of the Smiths’ rise and fall—from the legendary circumstances of their first meeting to their tragic breakup at the very height of their success. Acclaimed music writer Tony Fletcher, a British-born contemporary of the Smiths, paints a vivid portrait of the fascinating personalities within the group—iconic lead singer Morrissey; his songwriting partner, guitarist Johnny Marr; and the talented but internally unappreciated rhythm section of Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce—and takes readers and fans behind the scenes of the Smiths’ early days, their life on tour and in the studio, and the details of their disbandment in 1987.
For all the drama of the group’s internal politics and the heartbreak of their premature breakup, A Light That Never Goes Out is a celebration: the saga of four working-class kids from a northern English city who come together despite contrasting personalities, find a musical bond, inspire a fanatical following, and leave a lasting legacy on the world of popular music.
