Released in 1986, ‘The Queen Is Dead’ marked a pivotal moment for The Smiths. Not only did the band receive commercial success, with the LP charting for 22 weeks and peaking at the Number 2 position on the UK Charts, it evidently resonated with listeners due to its evocative lyricism, socially aware (and anti-monarchist) themes alongside its experimental and engaging instrumentation – all quintessential themes of Smiths discography. The album with the notable tracks: ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’, ‘Bigmouth Strikes Again’ and ‘Frankly, Mr Shankly’, pathed the way for The Smiths to enter new territory in the industry, whilst rather unexpectedly planting their musical content at the forefront of media controversy.

Despite the disbandment of the group in 1987, over the years Morrissey has been subject to scrutiny due to his often outlandish remarks that are often captured in the media. The unreleased album, ‘Bonfire Of Teenagers’ which he likens to ‘The Queen Is Dead’ has been held under wraps for a few years due to disagreements between Morrissey and his former label, Capitol.

The LP was given its name after the Manchester terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert back in 2017, which resulted in 22 people tragically losing their lives. The album and the title track (which made its live debut in 2022) was said to address the incident alongside other culturally relevant themes from Morrissey’s perspective, giving listeners a unifying experience. However, once the record was completed in 2021, the ‘Suedehead’ singer parted ways with Capitol following a lengthy dispute, which forced him to buy back the rights to the album and his 2014 release ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’.

Since then, Morrissey has labelled this exact album as ‘unreleasable’ amidst his controversial claim of the so-called “Idiot Culture” in the industry which prohibits the use of free speech in arts.

Speaking at a concert in Newark, New Jersey back in mid-November, the singer declared to the crowd during his 20-song set: “As you know, nobody will release my music anymore… As you know because I’m chief exponent of free speech. In England at least, it’s not criminalised. You cannot speak freely in England. If you don’t believe me, go there. Express an opinion, you’ll be sent to prison. It’s very, very difficult”.

The ‘Everyday Is Like Sunday’ performer inferred the lack of free speech readily available to artists permeates throughout the industry’s “Idiot Culture” and has subsequently caused delay after delay with ‘Bonfire Of Teenagers’. These delays were in reference to the cancellation of the album’s February 2023 release date, partly due to Miley Cyrus withdrawing her vocal contribution from one of its tracks, ‘I Am Veronica’.

Morrissey’s sentiment as to why ‘Bonfire Of Teenagers’ may never see the light of day follows the lack of backing from record labels, who have fallen at the hands of cancel culture causing the music industry to inevitably become “childlike” and “frightened” when releasing music.

The concerns Morrissey raises about the lack of free speech, 21^st Century cancel culture and the lack of support from record labels makes it hard to determine whether ‘Bonfire of Teenagers’ will ever be released in the future.

Rourke contributed to all four of The Smiths’ albums, The Smiths, Meat is Murder, The Queen is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come. Following their disbandment, Rourke went on to work with artists such as Badly Drawn Boy, Sinead O’Conner, The Pretenders and former Oasis guitarist, Bonehead.

There was an outpouring of tributes from his ex-bandmates, with The Smiths’ guitarist Johnny Marr taking to Twitter to confirm the news.

Marr wrote, “It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer. Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.“

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Andy Rourke after a lengthy illness with pancreatic cancer.
Andy will be remembered as a kind and beautiful soul by those who knew him and as a supremely gifted musician by music fans.
We request privacy at this sad time pic.twitter.com/KNehQxXoFz

— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) May 19, 2023

Marr went on to request privacy as the band grieve their former bandmate and friend.

The Smiths’ frontman Morrissey shared his own tribute on his website, writing, “I just hope … wherever Andy has gone … that he’s OK. He will never die as long as his music is heard. He didn’t ever know his own power, and nothing that he played had been played by someone else. His distinction was so terrific and unconventional and he proved it could be done.”

Morrissey continued, “He was also very, very funny and very happy, and post-Smiths, he kept a steady identity – never any manufactured moves. I suppose, at the end of it all, we hope to feel that we were valued. Andy need not worry about that.”

Mike Joyce, The Smiths’ drummer, also shared his thoughts, tweeting, “Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate.”  

Not only the most talented bass player I’ve ever had the privilege to play with but the sweetest, funniest lad I’ve ever met. Andy’s left the building, but his musical legacy is perpetual. I miss you so much already. Forever in my heart mate. — Mike Joyce (@mikejoycedrums) May 19, 2023

Andy Rourke’s contribution to music has been celebrated by musicians and fans alike, with presenter Terry Christian summing his passing up as “another hole left In the History of Manchester music.”

Sad to hear of death of Andy Rourke, I knew he’d jad cancer for sevetal years now but understood he was in some ki d of recovery . Lovely guy – I first met him in November 1983 – another hole left In the History of Manchester music. R.I.P Andy #Manchester #TheSmiths

— terry christian (@terrychristian) May 19, 2023