Music: The Smiths, by Rishi Deva

I can’t believe this year marks the 30th anniversary of the release of The Smiths’ debut album entitled “The Smiths” and the incredible compilation record called “Hatful Of Hollow”. By early 1983, The Smiths had gained a large following on the UK live circuit and had signed a record deal with the indie label Rough Trade. The deal, along with positive concert reviews in the weekly music press and an upcoming session on BBC Radio 1DJJohn Peel‘s radio show (which would become the classic “Hatful Of Hollow”), generated a large media buzz for the band. In a music scene dominated by major label and video-driven acts, the Smiths’ almost “gay and nerdy” image stood out and by the end of 1984, The Smiths had charmed the world and could do no wrong. They led the post punk movement and quickly went from small clubs to 15,000.

I had the good fortune of seeing the band play live before they were famous. I had heard the band on John Peel’s radio show and loved the band from the start. On August 11, 1983 at a small venue called The Warehouse in Leeds, Yorkshire, I danced on a relatively empty dance floor and fell in love.

Despite The Smiths being from the north, the fan craze had not yet caught on in Yorkshire. The small audience did not stop the band from giving a great performance. No doubt Morrissey charmed and delivered a show that won the small gathering over, for life. The Smiths would not really catch on until the release of their self-titled album in in February of 1984. At that time, the band were touring the “Hand In Glove” single, which of course I took back to Canada with me and converted all of my friends into Smiths fans.

To give an idea of how the Smiths charmed themselves into the hearts of many fans, it was just two years later that I saw the band at the crowded 15,000 capacity Kingswood Music Theatre at Canada’s Wonderland.

I purchased the UK version, Rough Trade release of the Smiths debut record as I could not wait for the North American release, which was released on Sire Records, incidentally the same label that is interested in Parvati’s “Shanti Om”. Yes, I would say that is pretty cool! Okay, back to the plot. The only difference between the Sire Records release and the Rough Trade release was that the UK version did not include “This Charming Man”. This Charming Man was the band’s second single release. The 7” single was a UK only release in October of 1983. It reached number 1 in the UK Indie charts, and 25 in the singles charts. The song did not show up on an internationally released record until “Hatful Of Hollow” came out and by then The Smiths had taken the world by roses.

30 years later on this anniversary year, according to the New Music Express, “This Charming Man” has proven to be the most downloaded Smiths song of all time.

Rishi bioSince 1994, Rishi Gerald, founder and CEO of RishiVision and entrepreneurial coach, has empowered thousands of businesses. Rishi has an MBA in marketing and entrepreneurial studies and a BBA in accounting. He has spent nearly twenty years coaching, consulting, managing and supporting thousands of businesses from new startups to active global leaders.

For more information on Rishi, please visit rishivision.com.