Music Map Blogs

The Smiths – A Love Affair
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
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: The Controversial Journey of a Music...
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. 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...

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

Blondie's Studio Albums in Order
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
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...

The Beach Boys Albums in Order (1962–1965)
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)
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
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
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 Se...
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...
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: Mutual Admiration to Music...
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...
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
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
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 G...
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...
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 Album: A Curious Begin...
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...
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
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
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...

David Bowie's Albums - Collaborators: Artists W...
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...
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 Session Musicians: More than Four
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
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: From J...
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...
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 - What Difference Does It Make?
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...
Morrissey vs Marr - What Difference Does It Make?
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...

The Smiths Albums: Imagining the Ones They Neve...
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...
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 and the Bunnymen - A Comparison
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
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...
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...
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...

The Beach Boys Albums – A Complete Guide to The...
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...
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 Albums - Every Musician - Every Stu...
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...
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 Ranked
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
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: From Best to Worst
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
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
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. 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’s Albums: A Look at His Most Recent R...
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...
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 Albums - Every Musician - Every Stud...
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...
Steely Dan Albums - Every Musician - Every Stud...
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...

David Bowie's Session Musicians and Collaborators
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
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 M...
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...
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 - Deeper!
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!
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 Art of the Music Map: Visualizing Music His...
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...
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...

You Got Map Software That Does It for You?
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?
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 ...
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 ...
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: A Musical Legacy Mapped Out
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
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?
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?
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 Session Musicians - A (Shorter)Review
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
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...

Ramones Albums: A Journey Through Punk Rock
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
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 - Political Food For Thought
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
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...

Beyond the Music Genre Family Tree
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
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...

Mike Bell: A Music Map Creator - Band Legacies ...
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 ...
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 - In Context
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
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...
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NEW TUBE MAPS BY MIKE BELL
NEW TUBE MAPS - TO MARCH 2025 Step into a world where...
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ALL THE MUSIC MAPS
YOU OWNED THE ALBUMS.. NOW OWN THE STORY OF THE ALBUMS EVERY...
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FILM PLOT MAPS
YOU WATCHED IT ONCE, NOW YOU'LL UNDERSTAND IT FOREVER EVERY character connected...
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EVERY TUBE MAP
EXPLORE MY TUBE MAPS Step into the world of tube maps! I...
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POLITICAL LIES TUBE MAPS
POLITICAL LIES TUBE MAPS Welcome to my exclusive POLITICAL LIES TUBE MAPS...
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THE BEATLES & BEYOND
YOU OWNED THE ALBUMS.. NOW OWN THE STORY OF THE ALBUMS EVERY...
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.

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.
