The Smiths
The Smiths
MEN: "Unseen photos of The Smiths, U2, and New Order performing at historic Greater Manchester venue released for first time" (March 3, 2025)
A huge treasure trove of unseen photos featuring music legends appearing in Greater Manchester has been released for the first time today.
Artists including the likes of New Order, U2, Blondie, The Smiths and Black Sabbath all appear in the newly-unveiled digital archive, which has been collated to honour the iconic Salford venue Maxwell Hall.
Officially opened on May 21, 1961 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, the building was built to house the Royal College of Advanced Technology. Consisting of an upper and lower hall, featuring 1,000 seats as well as a 220-seat balcony, the venue hosted its first concert in March 1964 with Dave Berry & The Cruisers.
Over the years, the venue - which merged with the University of Salford in 1996 - became a popular stop for music artists, with The Who, Paul McCartney & Wings and The Hollies...
Under the Radar: "My Firsts: Andy Bell of Ride" - First favorite band: The Smiths (March 3, 2025)
My Firsts: Andy Bell of Ride
My Firsts is our email interview series where we ask musicians to tell us about their first life experiences, be it early childhood ones (first word, first concert, etc.) or their first tastes of being a musician (first band, first tour, etc.). For this My Firsts we talk to Andy Bell of Ride (and formerly of Oasis).
First favorite band?
Everything changed when I got into The Smiths. They inspired me to pick up the guitar again—after getting one aged nine but losing interest—all so I could play Johnny Marr guitar parts. I was obsessed—and devastated when they broke up.
My Firsts is our email interview series where we ask musicians to tell us about their first life experiences, be it early childhood ones (first word, first concert, etc.) or their first tastes of being a musician (first band, first tour, etc.). For this My Firsts we talk to Andy Bell of Ride (and formerly of Oasis).
First favorite band?
Everything changed when I got into The Smiths. They inspired me to pick up the guitar again—after getting one aged nine but losing interest—all so I could play Johnny Marr guitar parts. I was obsessed—and devastated when they broke up.
Omega Auctions: "The Billy Albert Collection Of Smiths Vinyl and Memorabilia" (Auction on February 18, 2025)
( Estimate £2,000 - £3,000 - it will probably surpass that).
A few words from Billy Albert himself..
"The time has come to finally let go of my Smiths treasures, a wealth of treats for the casual Smiths collector and the hardcore completist. Yes it's an old cliché, I've enjoyed collecting and owning all of this, but it's now time for other collectors to enjoy these items.
I've long battled with the pros and cons of whether to sell this collection off piecemeal over time (like a small pension), or whether to let it all go in one sale with all the limitations that can possibly go with that alternative. My vanity ultimately won over to let it all go for the spectacle that you see before you.
Please fill your boots, you are unlikely to see another collection go up for sale like this for a long time until another hardcore collector either sadly passes on or has the bank manager knocking at their door. Thankfully neither of these circumstances have caused this sale...
A few words from Billy Albert himself..
"The time has come to finally let go of my Smiths treasures, a wealth of treats for the casual Smiths collector and the hardcore completist. Yes it's an old cliché, I've enjoyed collecting and owning all of this, but it's now time for other collectors to enjoy these items.
I've long battled with the pros and cons of whether to sell this collection off piecemeal over time (like a small pension), or whether to let it all go in one sale with all the limitations that can possibly go with that alternative. My vanity ultimately won over to let it all go for the spectacle that you see before you.
Please fill your boots, you are unlikely to see another collection go up for sale like this for a long time until another hardcore collector either sadly passes on or has the bank manager knocking at their door. Thankfully neither of these circumstances have caused this sale...
Wessex Auction Rooms - The John Porter Collection (Auction: January 24, 2025)
Looks very interesting.
Jim also writes:
Just wanted to bring to your attention that The Smiths producer John Porter is selling his collection of Acetates, test pressings and master tapes (some unreleased version) at Wessex Auction Rooms on Friday the 24th of January.
Here is a link to the auction: https://tinyurl.com/TheJohnPorterCollection
Jim also writes:
Just wanted to bring to your attention that The Smiths producer John Porter is selling his collection of Acetates, test pressings and master tapes (some unreleased version) at Wessex Auction Rooms on Friday the 24th of January.
Here is a link to the auction: https://tinyurl.com/TheJohnPorterCollection
The Smiths: soft pack CD album reissues - due December 6 onwards (December 5, 2024)
Showing on HMV as due December 6.
Other sources: December 10.
Amazon UK due December 6.
Also looking like it can be imported via Amazon.com for those Stateside later in December.
Regards,
FWD.
The Quietus: "Something They’ll Never Have: Why Hatful of Hollow is The Smiths’ Best Album" (November 12, 2024)
Despite not being a proper album, Hatful Of Hollow possesses a freshness and immediacy that was lost elsewhere in The Smiths’ discography, argues Toby Manning on the record’s 40th anniversary
thequietus.com
No gate/nag screen:
Hatful of Hollow 40 today
Something They'll Never Have: Why Hatful of Hollow is The Smiths’ Best Album | The Quietus
Despite not being a proper album, Hatful Of Hollow possesses a freshness and immediacy that was lost elsewhere in The Smiths’ discography
thequietus.com
Hatful of Hollow 40 today
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- "Beethoven Was Deaf" reissue (July 26, 2024)
- "Spent The Day In Bed" by Dana Gillespie - Limited edition 7" vinyl, sleeve art by Morrissey (April 19, 2024)
- "Interlude" - Limited edition 12" gold vinyl - Record Store Day 2024 (April 20, 2024)
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