Craig Gannon - Career

Career

Gannon had already achieved some fame for his work with Aztec Camera and with The Bluebells 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 album. After the tour ended in October 1986, Gannon was no longer part of the line-up. Gannon has been affectionately known thereafter as 'the Fifth Smith'.

Post-Smiths, Gannon joined Brix Smith in The Adult Net, Blue Orchids and The Cradle. Gannon was also reunited with former Smiths singer Morrissey at 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. However, this payment was actually for £30,000 which covered unpaid wages, the remaining £18,000 being legal costs.

Gannon composed the music used on the 'Inside The Smiths' DVD, released by former Smiths Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke. In addition to this, he also appeared in, and composed the music for a classic albums DVD of 'The Queen Is Dead' – released in May 2008. He also has been involved with Rourke and Joyce in a project called Moondog One.

Has played guitar with many other artists including Terry Hall, Roddy Frame, Morrissey, Alison Moyet, The Colourfield, The Adult Net, Black Grape, Denise Van Outen, Edwyn Collins & Paul Quinn, Buzzcocks/FOC, The Bluebells, The Blue Orchids, Robert Lloyd, Deadly Avenger, Red Venom, Vinny Peculiar and The Family Foundation. Today, Gannon is a composer/producer with a long record of work for television and film.

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