Music Map Blogs

The Smiths Love Affair Mapped

The Smiths – A Love Affair

Mike Bell

When The Smiths Found Me Some bands arrive like a thunderclap—unexpected, overwhelming, impossible to ignore. The Smiths Love Affair hit me hard. It was sometime in the early '80s. A crackling...

The Smiths – A Love Affair

Mike Bell

When The Smiths Found Me Some bands arrive like a thunderclap—unexpected, overwhelming, impossible to ignore. The Smiths Love Affair hit me hard. It was sometime in the early '80s. A crackling...

Morrissey and The Smiths albums music band map

Morrissey: The Controversial Journey of a Music...

Mike Bell

Mike Bell. 5th April 2025. Morrissey, the iconic frontman of The Smiths, has left a lasting mark on alternative rock. Known for his unique voice and thought-provoking lyrics, his solo...

Morrissey: The Controversial Journey of a Music...

Mike Bell

Mike Bell. 5th April 2025. Morrissey, the iconic frontman of The Smiths, has left a lasting mark on alternative rock. Known for his unique voice and thought-provoking lyrics, his solo...

Parkinson’s: Mike Bell's Future - MikeBellMaps

Living and Creating with Parkinson’s: My Journe...

Mike Bell

Hi, my name is Mike Bell, and I’m the creator behind these tube map reinventions across MikeBellMaps- the clue's in the name ;) . I’m a show and event designer by...

2 comments

Living and Creating with Parkinson’s: My Journe...

Mike Bell

Hi, my name is Mike Bell, and I’m the creator behind these tube map reinventions across MikeBellMaps- the clue's in the name ;) . I’m a show and event designer by...

2 comments
Blondie studio albums in order mapped by Mike bell

Blondie's Studio Albums in Order

Mike Bell

Few bands defined the energy of New York’s late-70s music scene like Blondie. They were at the heart of CBGB culture, and by the early 80s had shaped mainstream sound around...

Blondie's Studio Albums in Order

Mike Bell

Few bands defined the energy of New York’s late-70s music scene like Blondie. They were at the heart of CBGB culture, and by the early 80s had shaped mainstream sound around...

Beach Boys albums in order mapped by Mike Bell

The Beach Boys Albums in Order (1962–1965)

Mike Bell

Why I Mapped The Beach Boys’ Studio Albums in Order Few bands shaped 1960s music like The Beach Boys. Their early surf harmonies and studio brilliance laid the foundation for...

The Beach Boys Albums in Order (1962–1965)

Mike Bell

Why I Mapped The Beach Boys’ Studio Albums in Order Few bands shaped 1960s music like The Beach Boys. Their early surf harmonies and studio brilliance laid the foundation for...

Bruce Springsteen Albums in Order-MikeBellMaps

Bruce Springsteen Albums in Order

Mike Bell

Why I Mapped Bruce Springsteen's Studio Albums in Order "IT IS TRULY AMAZING” THE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ARCHIVE As the creator behind Mike Bell Maps, I visualise music discographies as London-style tube...

Bruce Springsteen Albums in Order

Mike Bell

Why I Mapped Bruce Springsteen's Studio Albums in Order "IT IS TRULY AMAZING” THE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ARCHIVE As the creator behind Mike Bell Maps, I visualise music discographies as London-style tube...

Mike Bell’s Music Maps - Changing the Way We See Bands and Albums-MikeBellMaps

Mike Bell’s Music Maps - Changing the Way We Se...

Mike Bell

A New Way to Experience Music History - Music Maps Music isn’t just something we hear—it’s something we live through, collect, analyse, and obsess over. I’ve always believed the stories...

Mike Bell’s Music Maps - Changing the Way We Se...

Mike Bell

A New Way to Experience Music History - Music Maps Music isn’t just something we hear—it’s something we live through, collect, analyse, and obsess over. I’ve always believed the stories...

morrissey vs sparks falling out

Morrissey vs Sparks: Mutual Admiration to Music...

Mike Bell

In the world of music, friendships often form across continents, generations, and genres. But sometimes, those connections unravel. One compelling example is the evolving relationship—now widely referred to as the...

Morrissey vs Sparks: Mutual Admiration to Music...

Mike Bell

In the world of music, friendships often form across continents, generations, and genres. But sometimes, those connections unravel. One compelling example is the evolving relationship—now widely referred to as the...

David Bowie's 20 Most Critically Acclaimed Songs-MikeBellMaps

David Bowie's 20 Most Critically Acclaimed Songs

Mike Bell

David Bowie's extraordinary career spans decades of musical innovation, genre-defying creativity, and artistic reinvention. From glam rock to experimental art-rock, soul to pop, Bowie consistently pushed musical boundaries. Here's a...

David Bowie's 20 Most Critically Acclaimed Songs

Mike Bell

David Bowie's extraordinary career spans decades of musical innovation, genre-defying creativity, and artistic reinvention. From glam rock to experimental art-rock, soul to pop, Bowie consistently pushed musical boundaries. Here's a...

Fleetwood Mac Albums – A Complete Discography Guide-MikeBellMaps

Fleetwood Mac Albums – A Complete Discography G...

Mike Bell

Fleetwood Mac is one of the most influential rock bands in music history. From their blues origins to their pop-rock dominance, their discography showcases an evolution that few bands can...

Fleetwood Mac Albums – A Complete Discography G...

Mike Bell

Fleetwood Mac is one of the most influential rock bands in music history. From their blues origins to their pop-rock dominance, their discography showcases an evolution that few bands can...

David Bowie's 1967 Debut: A Curious Beginning for a Legend-MikeBellMaps

David Bowie's 1967 Debut Album: A Curious Begin...

Mike Bell

When people think of David Bowie, they often think of Ziggy Stardust, Heroes, or his late-era masterpiece, Blackstar. But long before the lightning bolt and the personas, Bowie released a very...

David Bowie's 1967 Debut Album: A Curious Begin...

Mike Bell

When people think of David Bowie, they often think of Ziggy Stardust, Heroes, or his late-era masterpiece, Blackstar. But long before the lightning bolt and the personas, Bowie released a very...

ABBA albums ranked music map

ABBA Albums Ranked

Mike Bell

ABBA's music has woven a timeless tapestry of joy, nostalgia, and heartbreak, resonating across generations with pulsating disco beats and poignant ballads. From their debut in 1973 to their triumphant...

ABBA Albums Ranked

Mike Bell

ABBA's music has woven a timeless tapestry of joy, nostalgia, and heartbreak, resonating across generations with pulsating disco beats and poignant ballads. From their debut in 1973 to their triumphant...

Analogue recording equipment bowie albums

David Bowie's Albums - Collaborators: Artists W...

Mike Bell

Throughout Bowie's expansive and eclectic career, the legendary artist collaborated with an extraordinary range of musicians who each contributed uniquely to his ever-evolving sound. In my detailed analysis of David Bowie's...

David Bowie's Albums - Collaborators: Artists W...

Mike Bell

Throughout Bowie's expansive and eclectic career, the legendary artist collaborated with an extraordinary range of musicians who each contributed uniquely to his ever-evolving sound. In my detailed analysis of David Bowie's...

The Beatles studio album session musicians

The Beatles Session Musicians: More than Four

Mike Bell

The Beatles are universally celebrated as the "Fab Four," comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. However, their groundbreaking sound was not solely the product of these...

The Beatles Session Musicians: More than Four

Mike Bell

The Beatles are universally celebrated as the "Fab Four," comprising John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. However, their groundbreaking sound was not solely the product of these...

New Order Albums vs Foo Fighters Albums

New Order Albums vs Foo Fighters Albums: From J...

Mike Bell

New Order vs Foo Fighters - a brace of unique discographies; New Order has 10 albums, and Foo Fighters has 11. Lineup changes impacted their sound. Foo Fighters sold over...

New Order Albums vs Foo Fighters Albums: From J...

Mike Bell

New Order vs Foo Fighters - a brace of unique discographies; New Order has 10 albums, and Foo Fighters has 11. Lineup changes impacted their sound. Foo Fighters sold over...

Morrissey vs Marr Mike Bell Maps

Morrissey vs Marr - What Difference Does It Make?

Mike Bell

After The Smiths broke up, Morrissey vs Marr ensued - and both took very different paths. Morrissey’s solo career was commercially successful, with UK number-one albums like Viva Hate (1988) and...

1 comment

Morrissey vs Marr - What Difference Does It Make?

Mike Bell

After The Smiths broke up, Morrissey vs Marr ensued - and both took very different paths. Morrissey’s solo career was commercially successful, with UK number-one albums like Viva Hate (1988) and...

1 comment
The Smiths Albums & Solo Afterwards

The Smiths Albums: Imagining the Ones They Neve...

Mike Bell

The Smiths left a lasting impact with their four studio albums before disbanding in 1987. But what if they had stayed together? In this blog post, I explore what the...

The Smiths Albums: Imagining the Ones They Neve...

Mike Bell

The Smiths left a lasting impact with their four studio albums before disbanding in 1987. But what if they had stayed together? In this blog post, I explore what the...

The Cure vs Echo & the Bunnymen Comparison

The Cure vs Echo and the Bunnymen - A Comparison

Mike Bell

The Cure vs Echo and the Bunnymen is a considered review of two very infuential groups over a large chunk of the history of  modern music. Echo & the Bunnymen...

The Cure vs Echo and the Bunnymen - A Comparison

Mike Bell

The Cure vs Echo and the Bunnymen is a considered review of two very infuential groups over a large chunk of the history of  modern music. Echo & the Bunnymen...

Echo and the Bunnymen Albums – A Guide to Their Discography

Echo and the Bunnymen Albums – A Guide to Their...

Mike Bell

The creation of Echo and the Bunnymen Albums could not have emerged without the rise of the post-punk and new wave movements of the late 1970s, thus establishing the group...

Echo and the Bunnymen Albums – A Guide to Their...

Mike Bell

The creation of Echo and the Bunnymen Albums could not have emerged without the rise of the post-punk and new wave movements of the late 1970s, thus establishing the group...

Beach Boys Albums Mapped by Mike Bell

The Beach Boys Albums – A Complete Guide to The...

Mike Bell

The Beach Boys’ albums plot a musical journey that spans multiple decades, marking distinct chapters in American music history with each album. Known for their harmonious vocals, innovative sound, and...

The Beach Boys Albums – A Complete Guide to The...

Mike Bell

The Beach Boys’ albums plot a musical journey that spans multiple decades, marking distinct chapters in American music history with each album. Known for their harmonious vocals, innovative sound, and...

david bowie session musicians

David Bowie Albums - Every Musician - Every Stu...

Mike Bell

David Bowie Albums - Every Musician - Every Studio Album - Mapped here on my site.  This list of David Bowie album contributors (session musicians, guests, and collaborators) is a slither...

David Bowie Albums - Every Musician - Every Stu...

Mike Bell

David Bowie Albums - Every Musician - Every Studio Album - Mapped here on my site.  This list of David Bowie album contributors (session musicians, guests, and collaborators) is a slither...

Johnny Marr Albums Music map by Mike Bell

Johnny Marr Albums Ranked

Mike Bell

Johnny Marr is best known as the legendary guitarist of The Smiths. Still, his solo career has proven that his songwriting, musicianship, and sonic innovation extend far beyond his work...

Johnny Marr Albums Ranked

Mike Bell

Johnny Marr is best known as the legendary guitarist of The Smiths. Still, his solo career has proven that his songwriting, musicianship, and sonic innovation extend far beyond his work...

Hawkwind albums ranked music map

Hawkwind Albums Ranked: From Best to Worst

Mike Bell

Hawkwind, that fabulous pioneering space rock band, has a rich discography - Hawkwind has released 30 studio albums as of March 2025. Hawkwind's lineup has included more than 50 members over...

Hawkwind Albums Ranked: From Best to Worst

Mike Bell

Hawkwind, that fabulous pioneering space rock band, has a rich discography - Hawkwind has released 30 studio albums as of March 2025. Hawkwind's lineup has included more than 50 members over...

Crowded House albums ranked - amapped by Mike bell

Crowded House Albums - Ranked

Mike Bell

Mike Bell. March 18, 2025. In this blog I’m offering my personal ranking of Crowded House albums, celebrating their journey from 1986 to 2024. Since their debut, the band has...

Crowded House Albums - Ranked

Mike Bell

Mike Bell. March 18, 2025. In this blog I’m offering my personal ranking of Crowded House albums, celebrating their journey from 1986 to 2024. Since their debut, the band has...

Morrissey albums in order

Morrissey’s Albums: A Look at His Most Recent R...

Mike Bell

Morrissey has remained one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in music since his rise to fame as the frontman of The Smiths in the 1980s. His solo career...

Morrissey’s Albums: A Look at His Most Recent R...

Mike Bell

Morrissey has remained one of the most enigmatic and influential figures in music since his rise to fame as the frontman of The Smiths in the 1980s. His solo career...

Steely Dan musician music map by Mike Bell

Steely Dan Albums - Every Musician - Every Stud...

Mike Bell

Steely Dan Albums – Every Musician, Every Studio Album When we talk about Steely Dan albums, we’re not just talking about Donald Fagen and Walter Becker's genius. Behind the band’s...

1 comment

Steely Dan Albums - Every Musician - Every Stud...

Mike Bell

Steely Dan Albums – Every Musician, Every Studio Album When we talk about Steely Dan albums, we’re not just talking about Donald Fagen and Walter Becker's genius. Behind the band’s...

1 comment
David Bowie Albums mapped by Mike Bell

David Bowie's Session Musicians and Collaborators

Mike Bell

Throughout his five-decade career, David Bowie surrounded himself with exceptional musical talent that helped shape his sound across multiple reinventions. Far from being a solitary genius, Bowie thrived on musical...

David Bowie's Session Musicians and Collaborators

Mike Bell

Throughout his five-decade career, David Bowie surrounded himself with exceptional musical talent that helped shape his sound across multiple reinventions. Far from being a solitary genius, Bowie thrived on musical...

Read This If You Don't Know What to Buy For a Music Fan-MikeBellMaps

Read This If You Don't Know What to Buy For a M...

Mike Bell

You are tring to buy for a music fan? Finding the perfect fan gift can be challenging. Albums? They likely own them all. Concert tickets? Scheduling can be tricky. Band...

Read This If You Don't Know What to Buy For a M...

Mike Bell

You are tring to buy for a music fan? Finding the perfect fan gift can be challenging. Albums? They likely own them all. Concert tickets? Scheduling can be tricky. Band...

Steely Dan Session Musicians

Steely Dan Session Musicians - Deeper!

Mike Bell

Steely Dan’s musical legacy is a testament to studio perfectionism and sophisticated songwriting. Formed by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the band is celebrated for blending rock with jazz, R&B, and...

Steely Dan Session Musicians - Deeper!

Mike Bell

Steely Dan’s musical legacy is a testament to studio perfectionism and sophisticated songwriting. Formed by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, the band is celebrated for blending rock with jazz, R&B, and...

The music map art by Mike Bell - mikebellmaos

The Art of the Music Map: Visualizing Music His...

Mike Bell

Visual Journeys Through Music History Music is more than sound—it’s an unfolding story. Artists, bands, and genres have fascinating histories connected through albums, collaborations, and evolving lineups. At MikeBellMaps, I...

The Art of the Music Map: Visualizing Music His...

Mike Bell

Visual Journeys Through Music History Music is more than sound—it’s an unfolding story. Artists, bands, and genres have fascinating histories connected through albums, collaborations, and evolving lineups. At MikeBellMaps, I...

mike bell maps tube map designing

You Got Map Software That Does It for You?

Mike Bell

Why Map Software Can't Replace a Creative Mind People often ask, "Do you have map software that automatically creates these music maps?" If I received a pound every time someone...

You Got Map Software That Does It for You?

Mike Bell

Why Map Software Can't Replace a Creative Mind People often ask, "Do you have map software that automatically creates these music maps?" If I received a pound every time someone...

Nick Cave Albums Map - Obsessive Research: Why I Made This Thing-MikeBellMaps

Nick Cave Albums Map - Obsessive Research: Why ...

Mike Bell

As the creator of these incredibly detailed tube maps that illustrate the intricate histories of bands, artists, films, and cultural phenomena I want to talk about a project that’s completely...

Nick Cave Albums Map - Obsessive Research: Why ...

Mike Bell

As the creator of these incredibly detailed tube maps that illustrate the intricate histories of bands, artists, films, and cultural phenomena I want to talk about a project that’s completely...

Manchester Bands Mapped by Mike Bell

Manchester Bands: A Musical Legacy Mapped Out

Mike Bell

Manchester has long been a breeding ground for musical talent, producing some of the most iconic bands in history. From gritty punk roots to indie anthems, the city’s sound resonates...

Manchester Bands: A Musical Legacy Mapped Out

Mike Bell

Manchester has long been a breeding ground for musical talent, producing some of the most iconic bands in history. From gritty punk roots to indie anthems, the city’s sound resonates...

What Is a Music Map?-MikeBellMaps

What Is a Music Map?

Mike Bell

Each Music Map is an innovative tool that reveals the music world’s relationships, histories, and connections. I have taken that concept in another direction by using the transit map format...

What Is a Music Map?

Mike Bell

Each Music Map is an innovative tool that reveals the music world’s relationships, histories, and connections. I have taken that concept in another direction by using the transit map format...

Steely Dan Albums Discography Music Map by Mike Bell

Steely Dan Session Musicians - A (Shorter)Review

Mike Bell

Steely Dan Session: A Legacy of Studio Brilliance A longer-form version of this post is also available. Steely Dan’s studio recordings are legendary, and their Steely Dan Session musicians played...

Steely Dan Session Musicians - A (Shorter)Review

Mike Bell

Steely Dan Session: A Legacy of Studio Brilliance A longer-form version of this post is also available. Steely Dan’s studio recordings are legendary, and their Steely Dan Session musicians played...

The Ramones Albums - A Review-MikeBellMaps

Ramones Albums: A Journey Through Punk Rock

Mike Bell

Few bands have left as indelible a mark on rock music as the Ramones. With Joey Ramone as the lead singer and Johnny Ramone as the guitarist, these founding members,...

Ramones Albums: A Journey Through Punk Rock

Mike Bell

Few bands have left as indelible a mark on rock music as the Ramones. With Joey Ramone as the lead singer and Johnny Ramone as the guitarist, these founding members,...

Liz Truss vs Lettuce Art Print Mike Bell

Liz Truss vs Lettuce - Political Food For Thought

Mike Bell

In the rich tapestry of political history, few episodes have been as simultaneously absurd and profound as the birth of the Liz Truss vs Lettuce meme. What began as a tabloid...

Liz Truss vs Lettuce - Political Food For Thought

Mike Bell

In the rich tapestry of political history, few episodes have been as simultaneously absurd and profound as the birth of the Liz Truss vs Lettuce meme. What began as a tabloid...

Studio Albums Music map - The Ramones

Beyond the Music Genre Family Tree

Mike Bell

When most people think about music history, they picture a music genre family tree—a diagram that shows how rock evolved from blues, how electronic music splintered into countless subgenres, or...

Beyond the Music Genre Family Tree

Mike Bell

When most people think about music history, they picture a music genre family tree—a diagram that shows how rock evolved from blues, how electronic music splintered into countless subgenres, or...

Music map creator mike bell

Mike Bell: A Music Map Creator - Band Legacies ...

Mike Bell

Music history is full of twists and turns—band members come and go, collaborations shape new sounds, and legendary albums define eras. But how do you capture those intricate stories in...

Mike Bell: A Music Map Creator - Band Legacies ...

Mike Bell

Music history is full of twists and turns—band members come and go, collaborations shape new sounds, and legendary albums define eras. But how do you capture those intricate stories in...

David Bowie Albums - a music map by mike bell

David Bowie Albums - In Context

Mike Bell

David Bowie Albums have not only defined an era but have also consistently pushed the boundaries of musical innovation. From the glam rock explosion of the early 1970s to the...

David Bowie Albums - In Context

Mike Bell

David Bowie Albums have not only defined an era but have also consistently pushed the boundaries of musical innovation. From the glam rock explosion of the early 1970s to the...

 

ABOUT MIKE BELL - CREATOR OF MUSIC MAPS & MORE

ABOUT MIKE BELL

I’m a data designer based in Lewes, East Sussex. Initially (and still occasionally), I was a show designer who shifted my work focus during lockdown, when most of my 3D set design work for events evaporated, to the creation of music maps.

I produced my first music map a few years ago—the tube-inspired format of The Fall's album line-ups. Sixteen attempts later, I thought I had it right - although a nudge from band member and producer Simon Rodgers, who noted, "The credits on Fall albums are pretty random, to say the least," meant another minor update.

Mike Bell creator of MikeBellMaps at Olympia Top Drawer Trade Show 2025

Map design was never an exercise in money-making, but a way to keep my brain engaged as an exercise, whilst lockdown shut down my work and social life, to help combat my long-term diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. It still helps!

I now combine my love for storytelling with my passion for design, crafting unique tube-style maps that chart bands' histories, films' plots, and much more as beautiful art prints - selling them globally (tariffs and Brexit barriers permitting). 

".. IT'S A BRILLIANT IDEA.. REALLY LIKE WHAT YOU'VE DONE, MIKE.." BILLY BRAGG

In a world overflowing with information, it’s easy to lose track of the connections that make stories rich and meaningful. Whether you’re a music lover trying to understand the evolution of a band, a film buff exploring the intricate web of characters and plots, or someone keen on deciphering the complex interplay of politics or sports, traditional ways of presenting information can often feel overwhelming and disjointed.

My maps solve that problem by distilling vast, intricate histories into something visually engaging and easy to navigate. They bring clarity to chaos.

"IT IS TRULY AMAZING” THE BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN ARCHIVE

Each map I create under my MikeBellMaps brand helps you trace the history of your favourite band, as though you were following a tube line—each stop representing an album, and each musician a tube line, making the story easy to follow and engaging.

For film enthusiasts, my maps transform sprawling plots into a visual journey, where each character and event is connected in an intuitive and insightful way.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to expand my collection of maps and explore new genres, topics, and formats. Whether charting the intricate world of classic literature, exploring the evolution of a sports team, or mapping out the influences in political history, I’m always looking for new stories to tell.

"YOUR WORK IS VERY COOL AND SMART. I'D LOVE TO HAVE A COPY OF THE PRINCE MAP, ONCE YOU’VE COMPLETED IT." SUSAN ROGERS, PRODUCER

With greater availability through my online shop and global shipping, I’m thrilled to share these maps with an even wider audience. New ventures and avenues now include:

  • A book deal for a map series in negotiation, and
  • A licensing agreement to offer the maps as jigsaws through an international manufacturer

So, if you’re ready to see the world and its stories in a new light, I invite you to join my journey and explore the world of culture through my maps.

Mike bell signature