Bigmouth Strikes Again - Podcast

  • Dylan Burke

On 22 December, 1988 – a year and a half after The Smiths broke up – Morrissey made his live debut as a solo artist before an adoring audience at Wolverhampton’s Civic Hall. Originally intended as a farewell concert by the Manchester indie outfit, and filmed for an aborted release, it was the only time that Morrissey was backed by Smiths alumni Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums), and the band’s former touring guitarist, Craig Gannon. Dylan Burke looks back at this historical night through the eyes of those who were there, among them members of Morrissey’s band, support act Bradford (proclaimed by Morrissey himself as the heirs to the Smiths’ throne)and Civic Hall staff. (Concert footage owned by the BBC)