On This Day in 1986, The Smiths Unknowingly Played Their Final Concert Together

December 12, 1986, marked the beginning of the end for The Smiths as a band. Tensions had been rising that year already due to exhaustion, bassist Andy Rourke’s drug habit, and record label issues, and their show at London’s Brixton Academy unknowingly became their last.

The Smiths began their North American tour in late July 1986, starting in London, Ontario. They spent a lot of time in the U.S., meandering through several big cities before concluding in Florida on September 10. The Smiths were scheduled to end the tour with Miami, Atlanta, Nashville, and New York. But because of the mounting stress that year—and also Andy Rourke getting stung by a stingray in Florida—the last four dates were canceled.

Prior to the tour, Rourke had been fired from the band, then rehired after two weeks.