Page "The Smiths" Paragraph 14

Despite their continued success, a variety of tensions emerged within the band to threaten their split.

Johnny Marr was exhausted and on the verge of alcoholism, and took a break from the band in June 1987, which he felt was negatively perceived by the other Smiths.

In July 1987, Marr left the group permanently because he thought an NME article entitled " Smiths to Split " was planted by Morrissey, when in fact it was not.

That article, written by Danny Kelly, alleged that Morrissey disliked Marr working with other musicians, and that Marr and Morrissey's personal relationship had reached breaking point.

Marr contacted NME to explain that he did not leave the band due to personal tensions but because he wanted wider musical scope.