Craig Gannon - Definition and Overview

Craig Gannon is a British guitar player, best known for being the second guitarist in The Smiths in 1986.

Career

Gannon had already achieved some fame for his work with Aztec Camera before his work with The Smiths. When bass player Andy Rourke was fired from The Smiths in early 1986, Gannon was hired to replace him. Within a fortnight, however, Rourke was reinstated and Gannon moved to rhythm guitar, playing on the "Panic" and "Ask" singles and touring the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States with the band. Gannon also played on the scrapped single "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby", which was included on the The World Won't Listen compilation. After the tour ended in October 1986, Gannon was dismissed.

Post-Smiths, Gannon joined The Adult Net and The Cradle and played with former Smiths singer Morrissey on his debut solo gig and 1989 singles "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" and "Interesting Drug". That same year saw him sue Morrissey and Johnny Marr over the degree of his involvement in songwriting (notably for "Ask"). The matter was settled out of court for the sum of £48,000.

Discography

With The Smiths

Singles

• "Panic" (1986)
• "Ask" (1986)

Albums

• The World Won't Listen (compilation, 1987)
• Louder Than Bombs (compilation, 1987)
• Rank (live, 1988 [recorded 1986])
• Best...I (compilation, 1992)
• ...Best II (compilation, 1992)
• Singles (compilation, 1995)
• The Very Best of The Smiths (compilation, 2001)

With Morrissey

Singles

• "The Last of the Famous International Playboys" (1989)
• "Interesting Drug" (1989)

Albums

• Bona Drag (compilation, 1990)
• World of Morrissey (compilation, 1995)