{"id":528615,"date":"2026-04-13T14:23:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:23:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/528615\/"},"modified":"2026-04-13T14:23:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T14:23:09","slug":"morrissey-claims-responsibility-for-initial-iconic-salford-lads-club-photo-of-the-smiths-corrects-johnny-marr-on-rough-trade-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/528615\/","title":{"rendered":"Morrissey claims responsibility for initial iconic Salford Lads Club photo of The Smiths, corrects Johnny Marr on Rough Trade history"},"content":{"rendered":"

Morrissey<\/a> has claimed responsibility for the iconic photograph of The Smiths<\/a> taken outside Salford Lads Club, and has corrected Johnny Marr<\/a> about the history of Rough Trade.<\/p>\n

The now-iconic photograph of the band was taken in December 1985 by Stephen Wright and used on the inner-sleeve of their album \u2018The Queen Is Dead\u2019. It sees Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce standing outside the historic youth club, with them framed under the distinctive terracotta arches.<\/p>\n

It has gone on to become one of the most recognisable images in music, and displayed both in the National Portrait Gallery and in the Manchester Art Gallery. Fans have also shared their love of the photograph in the years since, with it being commonplace for them to head over to the venue and recreate the image.<\/p>\n

Now, in a new statement<\/a> from Morrissey shared on his official website, the singer has dismissed claims that the photo was a joint effort from The Smiths, and clarified that it was his individual idea.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor those who care about detail, being photographed outside of Salford Lads Club was not a Smiths idea or design, it was solely my idea, to which as usual the other three initially viewed as more unnecessary Morrissey lunacy,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

MORRISSEY HAS SPOKEN \u203c\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/RTVJGM9L3l<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Salford Lads’ Club (@salfordladsclub) April 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cNow that millions of people come from all over the world to be photographed on that very spot, it is claimed as a Smiths idea. It wasn\u2019t, it isn\u2019t, and it never shall be,\u201d the former frontman added. \u201cIf I had suggested a photo outside Kellogg\u2019s the likelihood is that the other three would have done that instead.\u201d<\/p>\n

The comments echo that of Wright, who shared last year with Manchester Evening News<\/a> that it was \u201cMorrissey\u2019s idea to go to Salford Lads Club\u201d and explained that he was brought on board as photographer having \u201cshot them previously at various live events\u201d.<\/p>\n

At the shoot, Wright captured the band with five reels of film with 36 pictures on each, with a \u00a3150 Nikon camera, and the Salford Lads\u2019 Club has celebrated the iconic photograph in following years by selling shirts that feature the image.<\/p>\n

Morrissey\u2019s comments about having the idea to be photographed outside the historic space also comes as he donated \u00a350,000 to help save the venue in 2024<\/a>, after the owners confirmed it was facing closure <\/a>due to rising costs and a drop in grant funding.<\/p>\n

the smiths outside the salford lads\u2019 club in 1985, photographed by stephen wright pic.twitter.com\/ooOsEpnIGN<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 morrissey pics every day (@mozpicsdaily) November 30, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

He joined over 1.1k people in raising funds to protect the venue, and the head of youth operations at the space said that they were \u201cdeeply grateful\u201d for his contribution \u2013 before confirming that they had hit the target and would be remaining open<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Before then, Morrissey also donated \u00a320,000 back in 2007, when the club was raising money<\/a> to fund essential maintenance to the building.<\/p>\n

Alongside The Smiths\u2019 connection, Salford Lads Club has also been featured in TV series and films such as Peaky Blinders, Last Tango In Halifax, Mrs Biggs, Cold Feet, Blue Murder, and more.<\/p>\n

As well as clarifying the story behind the Salford Lads\u2019 Club image, Morrissey has shared another statement<\/a>, correcting Johnny Marr on the history of the band and Rough Trade.<\/p>\n

He claims that the guitarist and former Smiths bandmate gave an interview to The Guardian to \u201ccommemorate the 50th anniversary of Rough Trade Records\u201d and recall that \u201cMarr and Andy Rourke had traveled to Rough Trade Records many icebergs ago to offer the Smiths first recording (\u2018Hand in Glove\u2019) in consideration of a contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

This, Morrissey wrote, was \u201cdeliberately untrue\u201d, and clarified that it was actually \u201cMorrissey and Marr who made that journey to Rough Trade\u201d as it was \u201cat a time when Andy Rourke would not yet commit to becoming a group member.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMarr must be fully aware of this distortion, but he nonetheless approved the text which, being written by a Guardian-stasi functionary, mentioned Morrissey only as a footnote in the Smiths history, and not as a founding member who solely created the group name,\u201d the singer continued.<\/p>\n

He also said that \u201ctrue will always be true, despite the efforts of Marr and his Guardian to shift the narrative\u201d, and concluded that both Rough Trade and Warner Records have assured him that the \u201c50th anniversary article will never be printed anywhere\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Smiths signed to Rough Trade after handing a demo tape containing \u2018Hand In Glove\u2019 and a live version of \u2018Handsome Devil\u2019 to the label\u2019s founder \u2013 having already been turned down by Factory Records and EMI (via Magnet<\/a>).<\/p>\n

They were then signed to a one-single deal by Rough Trade and released \u2018Hand In Glove\u2019 as a single in May 1983, before signing to a wider contract later that year.<\/p>\n

NME has reached out to a representative for Johnny Marr over the latest claims made by Morrissey.<\/p>\n

Back in September, the singer Morrissey revealed that he was wanting to sell off all of his business interests in The Smiths as he was \u201cburnt out by any and all connections\u201d<\/a> to his former bandmates.<\/p>\n

The year prior, he appeared somewhat sentimental as he reflected on the legacy of the band<\/a> \u2013 saying he was \u201cincredibly grateful to anyone who walked out to buy, or who stayed in to download, Smiths\u2019 music\u201d \u2013 and later alleged that while he had agreed to a \u201clucrative\u201d 2025 Smiths reunion tour,\u00a0 the offer was \u201cignored\u201d by Johnny Marr.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Around that same time he claimed that a Smiths \u2018Greatest Hits\u2019 album had been \u201cblocked\u201d by <\/a>the guitarist, and claimed Marr owns all of the \u201ctrademark rights and Intellectual Property\u201d of The Smiths, and can tour as a band without him<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Later, a representative from the guitarist\u2019s management team called Morrissey\u2019s comments on various topics \u201cincorrect\u201d<\/a> in a statement on X\/Twitter. As for the reunion offer, Marr responded: \u201cI didn\u2019t ignore the offer \u2013 I said no.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shortly after Marr\u2019s refutal, Morrissey issued a statement on his website that he had \u201csevered all connections\u201d with his management team<\/a>, and later said that his openness to have a Smiths reunion wasn\u2019t anything to do with \u201cany emotional attachment\u201d<\/a> he has to Marr.<\/p>\n

In June last year, Johnny Marr spoke out about why he turned down an \u201ceye-watering\u201d amount of money<\/a> for a Smiths reunion tour \u2013 saying he did so because the \u201cvibe\u201d wasn\u2019t right.<\/p>\n

Before then, the guitarist spoke to NME in 2019<\/a> about whether he thinks Morrissey\u2019s divisive political views could stop new generations discovering the band\u2019s music. \u201cNo. I don\u2019t think you can change history,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019ve said that before. I\u2019m not worried. It\u2019s got nothing to do with my world or my life. The songs are out there for people to judge, relate to and hear.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that\u2019s all going to be forgotten in a few weeks, as these things inevitably are \u2013 for better or worse. It\u2019s always been that way,\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand the issue, but I\u2019m used to stuff coming and going. I don\u2019t worry about people missing out on the culture. That would be like saying to a teenage me \u2018Are you worried about you and your mates missing out on The Velvet Underground?\u2019 That was never going to happen. I know the way things go. Things come and go.\u201d<\/p>\n