Morrissey has revealed he was hugely influenced by the guitar, glam and punk bands of the 1970s.
The former Smiths vocalist appeared on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs on Sunday to talk about his favourite music and literature.
His choices were overshadowed by some typically controversial comments in which he described suicide as "honourable".
However, they did demonstrate where the Smiths, in which Morrissey formed a memorable songwriting partnership with electric guitar player Johnny Marr, got their distinctive sound from.
The singer selected (There's Gonna Be A) Showdown by US punk band New York Dolls as his favourite record, along with tracks by Ramones, Iggy & The Stooges, Mott The Hoople and The Velvet Underground.
There was also room in his selection of desert island listening for Come and Stay With Me by Marianne Faithfull.
Morrissey is a long-time fan of the singer-songwriter and the admiration appears to be mutual, as Faithfull covered his song Dear God Please Help Me on her 2008 album Easy Come, Easy Go.
