The Smiths and Morrissey: Craig Gannon 06 (of 09)

Craig Gannon was asked to join The Smiths in early 1986 after the band had fired bassist Andy Rourke. Having already made his name as a member of Aztec Camera, he soon became the band's second guitarist after Rourke was re-instated and recorded many notable singles with them.
In this interview Gannon discusses joining the band, working on the 'Panic' and 'Ask' singles, going on tour in both the UK and the US with The Smiths and the reasons for his departure from the band. He also discusses his later work with Morrissey after the Smiths had split, including the singles 'The Last of the Famous International Playboys' and 'Interesting Drug'.

[@luizmaranhao4824]

Craig is such a beautiful soul. I’m sorry you were mistreated. He seems quite shy, but a very bright light.

[@fightsforrights9744]

Agreed

[@timholman7433]

Craig comes over really well in these interviews. You can tell that some questions still cause him some anguish, especially concerning his departure from the band, but he answers everything honestly and openly. If I ever meet him, I'll buy him a drink, no problem!

[@drparnassus2867]

The way Morrissey writes about him in his autobiography, Gannon sounds barely sane... seems like a perfectly nice guy.

[@PT10000]

This explains the first video where he basically said Johnny wasn't all that.

[@fightsforrights9744]

Respect!! Craig Ganon played really well in wolverhampton one of the best Morrissey performances, is an underrated guitarist and music writer.

[@Lexthebarbarian]

Why was Marr so mean to this nice guy? What did Morrissey write about him in the autobiography?

[@fightsforrights9744]

I'm thinking human nature, Johnny probably thought Ganon was gonna start working with the band after his departure.

[@miguelLDiablo]

Its well documented in several books and interviews that everyone from Crsig Gannon, through sound techs and roadies, right up to managers that people who worked for the band were treated badly. Apparently Johnny was often executioner because Morrissey was pretty spinless when it came to being honest.

[@EndoftheTownProductions]

You can see the pain in his eyes at 3:58.

[@davidgerrard8661]

Bless

[@leedummett4412]

why did marr bring gannon into the group if they didnt get on, personality wise. it does seem odd as i dont think they needed another member anyway.

[@thomasreilly6362]

Easter house we're a great band 👌

[@twitchygiraffe4636]

Told from a mate of the bloke who knows another mate of the bloke about being sacked? Morrissey and his infamous post it note pad by any chance Craig????

[@radiomindchatter7994]

So Johnny wanted him in the band then didn't?

[@patrickcross5195]

because his thunder was being stolen. the chain of command was johnny over morrissey, and them two as a united front over the others. when craig effortlessly stamped his claim as being good enough to be johnny's equal or potentially even better, marr didn't like that and didn't want to risk it coming true. so he bullied him out.

[@anaranjadisimo]

always seemed like a bitch that Johnny Marr

[@desdemona3273]

"i think you have left the smiths..." must have been really fucking painful... honestly, my initial idealism of the smiths is slowly dwindling away after hearing about all the kind of prickish behaviour from morrissey/marr and the other bandmembers

[@ThatWhatIsNot]

I like how Johnny Marr is a bleeding heart when it comes to mankind writ large but an asshole to many those whom he actually interacts with. Everyone is the Smiths contributed to what makes them great, but both Marr and Morrissey have always acted like it was mainly just the two of them and the rest could have been any random person added to the band and it would all have sounded the same. History since the Smiths ended demonstrates this assumption is patently false.

[@1888gp]

guys a bore ,he should have left but stayed in the band knowing he was creating a bad atmosphere until he was slung out