Imagine a band so iconic that their music still resonates decades later, yet their members haven’t spoken in over three decades. That’s the reality for Mike Joyce, the drummer of The Smiths, who hasn’t exchanged a word with Morrissey since 1992. But here’s where it gets controversial: this silence isn’t just about time—it’s rooted in a bitter lawsuit that tore the band apart. Back in 1989, Joyce and bassist Andy Rourke filed a lawsuit against Morrissey and Johnny Marr, claiming they were owed a larger share of the band’s royalties. While Rourke settled out of court, Joyce took the case to trial and won, a decision that still sparks heated debates among fans today. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Joyce, now a successful radio DJ, reflected on his time with The Smiths and the fallout from the lawsuit. ‘I think it sounded like The Smiths because of the four of us,’ he explained, defending his decision to pursue legal action. ‘I just wanted what I thought was fair and right.’ But this stance hasn’t come without a cost—Joyce still faces harassment from Morrissey fans on social media, with messages like, ‘I wish you were dead, how dare you.’
And this is the part most people miss: despite the estrangement, Joyce and Marr reconnected in 2023 at the memorial service for Andy Rourke, who tragically passed away from pancreatic cancer. ‘It was good to see him,’ Joyce shared, emphasizing that the reunion wasn’t about past grievances but about honoring their late bandmate. However, Joyce was completely blindsided by the news that The Smiths had been offered a massive payday to reunite—he only found out when it hit the press. ‘I think I forfeited that with the court case,’ he admitted, hinting at the lasting impact of the legal battle. The question remains: could The Smiths ever truly reunite, or has the light gone out for good?
Here’s the bold part: Is Joyce’s pursuit of fairness justified, or did it irreparably damage the legacy of The Smiths? And what does this say about the complexities of band dynamics and the price of standing up for what you believe in? Let’s spark a conversation—where do you stand on this decades-long feud? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
