From the NME.
The first-ever demo by The Smiths has surfaced online after the 1982 recording was placed on YouTube, apparently by their original bassist.
Snippets of ‘I Want A Boy For My Birthday’ had circulated among the band’s fan community for several years. But the version seemingly posted by early bassist Dale Hibbert is the first time the full three-minute version has been heard.
‘I Want A Boy For My Birthday’ is a cover of ’60s girl group The Cookies, who released their original version as a B-side in 1963.
Morrissey and Johnny Marr made their version in 1982 on Marr’s TEAC tape recorder so that Hibbert could learn it for the band’s first official demo recordings.
Hibbert left the band after The Smiths’ first gig as Morrissey and Marr were unhappy with his playing. He was replaced by Andy Rourke, who became the band’s permanent bassist.
The existence of the demo was only uncovered in 2013 in Simon Goddard’s Smiths biography Songs That Saved Your Life. Marr said in the book: “I’d never heard the song before, but I thought ‘Great, this will freak them out!’ I was really happy to encourage it.”
Hibbert left the music industry after The Smiths. He went on to run a bar in Manchester and now runs a vegetarian café, Kava, in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, with his wife Svet.
The leaking of the demo comes as Morrissey prepares to release his new album ‘I Am Not A Dog On A Chain’ in March. Marr recently released ‘Single Life’, a box set which compiles the ten 7″ singles he’s released as a solo artist.
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- The Smiths - Hand In Glove - RSD 2022 - Red Vinyl - Sealed - UK - 12" vinyl - £49.99, $60.49, €57.99 (New Item) (arrived 30-Jun-2022 17:12)on July 3, 2022 at 12:13 pm
SANDIE SHAW + THE SMITHS Hand In Glove (Record Store Day 2022 UK/EU limited edition 3-track Red Vinyl 12" with bonus promo poster and insert. Originally released in 1984and unavailable for almost 40 years, this was a collaboration between one of the most successful female stars of the ‘60s and indie darlings The Smiths, who were big fans. It features three Morrissey/Marr originals on which Sandie is backed by Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce. Picture sleeve with exclusive red obi, hype stiker & factory sealed)
- The Smiths - Shoplifters Of The World Unite - 4 Prong - UK - 7" vinyl - £15.00, $18.15, €17.40 (New Item) (arrived 07-Jun-2022 14:57)on July 3, 2022 at 12:13 pm
THE SMITHS Shoplifters Of The World Unite (1986 UK 7" vinyl single with an intact four prong centre, also including the classic non-album track Half A Person. Issued in the glossy flipback style card picture sleeve displaying an image of Elvis Presley, the vinyl remains in EX condition RT195)
- Morrissey - Viva Hate - stickered p/s - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £25.00, $30.25, €29.00 (New Item) (arrived 17-May-2022 11:01)on July 3, 2022 at 12:13 pm
MORRISSEY Viva Hate (1988 UK 12-track vinyl LP with aid from producer Stephen Street and guitarist Vini Reilly, including Suedehead and Everyday Is Like Sunday, complete with illustrated lyric inner, song hype-stickered picture sleeve. The sleeve has a small indentation on the front and light storage marks, whilst the vinyl appears near as new CSD3787)
- Morrissey - Viva Hate - EX - UK - vinyl LP - £18.00, $21.78, €20.88 (New Item) (arrived 18-May-2022 15:40)on July 3, 2022 at 12:13 pm
MORRISSEY Viva Hate (1988 UK 12-track LP with aid from producer Stephen Street & guitarist Vini Reilly, including Suedehead & Everyday Is Like Sunday, glossy picture sleeve with lyric inner. The sleeve [VG+] has a 1" paper split in the top edge and some light edgewear, whilst the vinyl remains in excellent condition with only a little light play CSD3787)
- Morrissey - November Spawned A Monster - UK - 7" vinyl - £9.99, $12.09, €11.59 (New Item) (arrived 26-May-2022 14:31)on July 3, 2022 at 12:13 pm
MORRISSEY November Spawned A Monster (1990 UK 7" vinyl single, also includes He Knows I'd Love To See Him. The great 'Morrissey' glossy picture sleeve shows a little shelfwear to the edges and despite light signs of play, the vinyl appears in excellent condition POP1623)
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