And talking of Manchester bands, and being young, personally I was weaned on The Smiths. And, perhaps controversially, my favourite two band members did not include Morrissey. My two favourites were Johnny Marr and Andy Rourke. So it is with great excitement that I impart the news that, according to reports, the pair are to be reunited onstage for the first time since the breakup of The Smiths back in 1987.
As previously reported, Andy Rourke has been organising that huge Manchester vs Cancer gig to raise funds for the city's Christies hospital, a specialist cancer unit. The concert takes place at the MEN Arena on 28 Jan and will feature a performance from Marr and Rourke alongside other northern acts such as New Order, Badly Drawn Boy, Doves, Mani and Stephen Fretwell.
On his appearance at the gig, Marr said: "Andy and I go back a long way, since our school days. We have been hanging out and seeing each other and he told me about this project he was involved in and of course I literally stood up and applauded. I said I'd get involved if he needed any help."
He continued: "It's a privilege to be part of it as I am aware of the work that Christie's does. It's not the easiest thing getting something like this together because it needs to be done on a fairly big scale for it to be significant so I think Andy is really brave. But who would refuse his offer to get involved? I mean, who could refuse it? You can't unless you are out of the country on tour. I made sure I was around and I'm looking forward to it - it will be a good night."
See http://www.manchestervcancer.co.uk for more info. Tickets go on sale this Friday.