In 2002, the NME declared The Smiths "the greatest artist of all time". In just five short years, the Manchester foursome conquered the world, forever changing the scope of modern music. Along the way, the fame seemed to alter frontman Morrissey's opinion of print journalism.

Going from an absolute frenzy of press interviews in 1983 and 1984, the legendary bard cooled to the media in 1985 and ultimately withdrew from the hype machine, save for a few essential pieces in 1986 and 1987.

As The Smiths' frontman recoiled from the public eye, his songwriting accomplishments with guitar maestro Johnny Marr gave way to one brilliant song cycle after another. Inspired, influential and always prolific, Morrissey, Marr, bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce were like no other band, either before them or since the group's sudden implosion in August of 1987.

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