Information about Morrissey

Steven Patrick Morrissey (IPA: /moʊɹ.ɪs.i/) (born May 22, 1959) is an English singer and songwriter from Manchester, England.

He rose to prominence in the 1980s as the lyricist and vocalist of the English band The Smiths. When the band broke up in 1987, Morrissey began a successful solo career, racking up ten Top 10 singles in the UK.

Biography

Morrissey was born in Park Hospital, now known as Trafford General Hospital in Davyhulme, on 22 May 1959 to Irish Catholic immigrants. His father, Peter Morrissey, was a hospital porter, and his mother, Elizabeth Dwyer, was a librarian. His parents had emigrated to England just before Morrissey's birth and, along with his elder sister Jackie, Morrissey was raised in Harper Street in Hulme, Manchester. In 1965, the family moved to Queens Square in Hulme near Moss Side. They moved to 384 Kings Road in the more salubrious suburb of Stretford in 1969, when many of the old terraced streets were being demolished. Morrissey has maintained a strong attachment to his mother throughout his life; his relationship with his father, however, suffered much strain over the years, and eventually became largely nonexistent.

As a child, Morrissey developed a number of interests and role models that marked him out among his peers, including '60s girl groups, and female singers such as Sandie Shaw, Marianne Faithfull and Timi Yuro. He was also interested in the kitchen sink dramas of the late 1950s and early 1960s, Coronation Street's Elsie Tanner, as well as the playwright, novelist and poet Oscar Wilde. The Moors Murders of the early 1960s had a large impact on him as a child, causing him to later respond with the controversially received track "Suffer Little Children".

In adolescence, Morrissey's athletic ability saved him to a large degree from bullying. Nevertheless, he has described this period as a time when he was often lonely and depressed. As a teenager, he began taking prescription drugs to help combat the depression that would later follow him throughout his life.^[1] He attended St Mary's Secondary Modern School and Stretford Technical School, where he passed Three O levels, including English Literature. He then worked briefly for the Inland Revenue, but ultimately decided to "go on the dole," sequestering himself in his room in his mother's home to concentrate on writing, reading, and listening to music. Around this time, Morrissey wrote novella-like publications concerning two of his greatest heroes: James Dean and The New York Dolls.

An early convert to punk rock, Morrissey briefly fronted The Nosebleeds, writing several songs and garnering a New Musical Express review before the band broke up less than a year later. In 1978, Morrissey briefly replaced Slaughter & the Dogs singer Wayne Barrett, recording four songs with the band before moving on (MOJO Classic Magazine, Volume 1 Issue 13, Page 22).

The Smiths

Main article: The Smiths

In 1982, Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr formed The Smiths, widely regarded as one of the most influential bands of the post-punk 1980s. They have been consistently acclaimed by the music press, most infamously the NME, whose seeming obsession with the band earned them the nickname "The New Morrissey Express".

Signature themes of The Smiths' work include Morrissey's darkly witty lyrics and Marr's melodic and thickly layered music. The band became a success in the UK, Ireland, and Australia, and grew into a cult phenomenon in the United States of America, where the all male band became known on college radio charts with songs such as "How Soon Is Now?" and "Panic." The band broke up in 1987 after Marr and Morrissey fell out over musical differences. Allegedly, Marr grew tired of the 60s pop fixation, didn't wish to perform cover songs of 60s British pop stars, and wanted to experiment with a wider array of styles in the Smiths' music. Morrissey grew even more rigid in his recording methods, often recording his vocals alone, after the music tracks had already been laid. The band released four proper studio albums and several compilations between 1984 and their breakup, including 1986's The Queen Is Dead, which has been placed highly on a number of critical "Greatest Album" lists.^[2]

Solo career

1987-1993

Following The Smiths' split, Morrissey's first solo album, Viva Hate, came out in 1988. To create the album, Morrissey teamed up with former Smiths producer Stephen Street, Vini Reilly of Durutti Column, and drummer Andrew Paresi. The prevailing sound of the album is jangle pop, similar to that of the Smiths, though Reilly's guitar work adds more abrasive and atmospheric elements to the work. Viva Hate reached number one upon release, supported by such strong singles as "Suedehead" and "Everyday Is Like Sunday." Bona Drag (1990) collected these early singles along with further non-album cuts such as "November Spawned a Monster" and "Ouija Board, Ouija Board," along with the b-sides "Hairdresser On Fire". Mark Nevin's songwriting services were employed for the studio follow-up to Viva Hate, titled Kill Uncle. The album continued in a similar musical vein.

The band Morrissey assembled in 1991 for his Kill Uncle tour went on to record 1992's hit album Your Arsenal. Composition duties were split between guitarists Boz Boorer and Alain Whyte, who have been the core of Morrissey's band ever since. Your Arsenal was produced by former David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson, and earned a Grammy nomination for best alternative album.

Mid 1990s

1994 brought Morrissey back to number one in the UK, with Vauxhall and I. One of the album's songs, "The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get," enjoyed chart success as a single, reaching number eight in the UK and number 46 in the US. That year, he also released a single "Interlude" in duet with one of his all-time favourite singers: Siouxsie of Siouxsie & the Banshees. Further albums Southpaw Grammar and Maladjusted were less well received critically and commercially. These albums included the songs "Reader Meet Author" and "Trouble Loves Me," both of which are still occasionally included in live set lists.

Morrissey relocated from his Dublin home to Los Angeles in the late 1990s, partially to escape the attention of the British music press. He enjoyed a surprise connection with the Latino community there, and supposedly cut himself off from the British Isles as he built a new life for himself in California. However, his 1931-built mansion (formerly owned by Clark Gable) was sold in 2006 and he currently resides in Rome.

Resurgence in early 2000s

In June 2003, Sanctuary Records group announced a deal with Morrissey. He was given the one-time reggae label Attack Records as a platform to record new material and to sign new artists.

Morrissey's album You Are the Quarry was released on May 17, 2004 (one day later in the US). Guitarist Alain Whyte described the work as a mix between Your Arsenal and Vauxhall and I, and the album received strong reviews. The first single, "Irish Blood, English Heart," was released internationally on May 10, 2004. The single reached number three in its first week of sales in the UK singles chart. This was the highest placing chart position for Morrissey in his entire career as both a solo artist and the lead singer of The Smiths (the 2006 release "You Have Killed Me" also debuted at number three in its first week in the charts). Also, it has sold over a million copies, making the album his most successful one, solo or with The Smiths.

At a Dublin concert on June 5 2004, Morrissey caused controversy by announcing the death of former US President, Ronald Reagan and stating that he would have preferred it if the current President, George W. Bush, had died.^[3]

With the release of "I Have Forgiven Jesus" in December 2004, Morrissey along with McFly became the only artists to score four top-10 hits in the UK singles chart that year.

In August of 2004, Morrissey was slated to headline a week-long set of shows on Craig Kilborn's The Late Late Show. Morrissey did not perform every night of the weeklong series due to a throat illness. He did, however, perform the following week.

Morrissey's latest album is titled Ringleader of the Tormentors, which debuted at number one in the UK album charts. The album cover is an allusion to the iconic Deutsche Grammophon record cover logo and design, with Morrissey posing as a violinist after the classic photos of Jascha Heifetz or Yehudi Menuhin. Recorded in Rome, it was released internationally on April 3, 2006, and one day later in North America. The album was produced by Tony Visconti, who has also worked with T. Rex and David Bowie. The subsequent 2006 international tour included more than two dozen gigs in the UK, including concerts at the London Palladium on three consecutive Sundays. Just prior to the album's release, Morrissey was photographed in Rome by Bryan Adams for the cover of 'Zoo Magazine'.

On 9th January 2007, the BBC confirmed that it was in talks with Morrissey for him to write a song for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest. Morrissey is noted for being a fan of the contest, and the video for the single You Have Killed Me was seen by many as an affectionate homage to the style of the contest during the 1970s. If an agreement could be made, Morrissey would be writing the song for someone else, rather than performing it himself, a BBC spokesperson claimed.^[4] On 23 February 2007 the BBC ruled this out, and stated Morrissey would not be part of Britain's Eurovision entry.^[5][6]

New album in 2008

In a recent interview on BBC Radio 5 with Tony Visconti, the producer stated that his new project would be "the next Morrissey album", though that this would not be forthcoming for at least a year. However, an interview with the BBC News in October 2007 website stated that the album is already written, ready for a possible September 2008 release and that his deal with Sanctuary Records had come to an end. A possible deal with Warner Music had been tentatively made.^[7]

In August 2007, it was reported that Morrissey's residencies at Los Angeles and New York would be the last live shows he would perform for the "foreseeable future" ^[8], but Morrissey himself quickly went on record saying he had made no such comments ^[9]. It was also revealed he had turned down a near £40m offer to reunite with Johnny Marr on a 50 date world tour.^[10]

On 10th October 2007, Morrissey performed a new, glam-rock influenced track entitled "All You Need Is Me" on US chat show 'Last Call With Carson Daly'. According to website True-to-you.net, another new track, "That's How People Grow Up", is to be broadcast at a later date.

Image and politics

Feuds within the music industry

Reputed to be uninterested in compromise or record company marketing principles, Morrissey has long suffered the consequences of operating as a quasi-outsider in the music industry. Though his large and loyal fan base follow his every move, his albums since 1996 had great trouble reaching a wider audience. Between 1999 and 2003, Morrissey was unable to find a record contract at all (or at least one that satisfied his demands).

In 1996, The Smiths' drummer Mike Joyce sued Morrissey and Johnny Marr for outstanding royalties and won. The judge presiding over the case famously ruled that Morrissey was "devious, truculent and unreliable." As of April 2006, it is understood that Morrissey has paid none of the outstanding royalties to Joyce. Morrissey expressed bitter displeasure with the ruling on the track, "Sorrow Will Come in the End," from 1997's Maladjusted.

Morrissey has severely criticized fellow singers such as Madonna, David Bowie and George Michael. The Cure's Robert Smith has been quoted as saying, "If Morrissey says don't eat meat, then I'll eat meat, because I hate Morrissey".^[11] Morrissey also once openly wished that Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance author Johnny Rogan "ends his days very soon in an M3 pile-up".

Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys co-wrote two songs inspired by Morrissey ("Getting Away with It" and "Miserablism"), which, as he explained, were a comic and poignant satire of Morrissey's public stereotyping as miserable and unloveable.^[12]

In 1994 Morrissey came under fire from Manic Street Preachers' bassist and lyricist Nicky Wire. Wire was responding to comments Morrissey had made about the British National Party's right to Freedom of Speech, and referred to Morrissey as a "sad old bitter man" who would "do anything to get press" and who just likes irritating people. Manics' co-lyricist Richey James Edwards added that Morrissey was evidently scared of his own statements as he wasn't prepared to discuss them with anyone and didn't have a logical argument to back up his comments.

Other targets of his disapproval have been Band Aid, rap, reggae (a criticism he later retracted, stating that he was being facetious and that he grew up partly on the classic singles released by the British reggae label Trojan in the early to mid-1970s), rave and teenage pop stars.

Views on political leaders

Morrissey has always been politically outspoken, and the figures he has criticized include the British Royal Family, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister Tony Blair, and US President George W. Bush.

Morrissey's first solo album, Viva Hate, included a track entitled "Margaret on the Guillotine", a tongue-in-cheek jab at Prime Minister Thatcher. British police responded by searching Morrissey's home and carrying out an official investigation, while Simon Reynolds, who had interviewed Morrissey for Melody Maker, was even questioned about the tone in which Morrissey had made certain remarks about Thatcher. It has been said that many of the officers were embarrassed at the absurdity of the situation, some even asking for Morrissey's autograph.^[13] Morrissey once said in an interview in 1984 that "She is only one person. She can be destroyed. It is the only remedy for this country at the moment." Morrissey’s follow-up single "Interesting Drug" included the B-side "Such a Little Thing Makes Such a Big Difference," whose lyrics end with a caustic "Leave me alone, I was only singing / You have just proved again, most people keep their brains between their legs."

In October 2004, Morrissey released a statement urging American voters to vote for John Kerry for President:

With all my heart I urge people to vote against George Bush. Jon Stewart would be ideal, but John Kerry is the logical and sane move. It does not need to be said yet again, but Bush has single-handedly turned the United States into the most neurotic and terror-obsessed country on the planet. For non-Americans, the United States is suddenly not a very nice place to visit because US immigration officers — under the rules of Bush — now conduct themselves with all the charm and unanswerable indignation of Hitler’s SS. Please bring sanity and intelligence back to the United States. Don’t forget to vote. Vote for John Kerry and get rid of George Bush!.^[14]

In February 2006, Morrissey said he had been interviewed by the FBI and by British intelligence after having spoken out against the American and British governments. Morrissey said "The FBI and the Special Branch have investigated me and I've been interviewed and taped and so forth. They were trying to determine if I was a threat to the government, it didn't take them long to realise that I am not."^[15]

A controversial etching on the 12" vinyl record, Strangeways, Here We Come said, "Guy Fawkes was a genius." Fawkes was infamous for the 1605 Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament.^[16]

Accusations of racism

Morrissey was maligned during part of the 1980s and much of 1990s by accusations of racism. The accusations were derived from ambiguous lyrics in songs such as "Bengali In Platforms" and "National Front Disco". They also stemmed from Johnny Rogan's biography of the singer, which claimed he once, in his late teens, wrote "I don't hate Pakistanis, but I dislike them immensely"; however, no substantiating source is provided.

A trigger for much of the criticism was Morrissey's performance at the first Madness Madstock! reunion concert at Finsbury Park, London, in 1992, in which he appeared on stage draped in the Union Flag, a symbol often associated with nationalism and hence with far right groups in Britain. As a backdrop for this performance, he chose a photograph of two female skinheads. The NME responded to this performance with a lengthy examination of Morrissey's attitudes to race, claiming that the singer had "left himself in a position where accusations that he's toying with far-right/fascist imagery, and even of racism itself, can no longer just be laughed off with a knowing quip" ^[17].

The Smiths' "Panic", released July of 1986, fades out with the refrain "hang the DJ, hang the DJ, hang the DJ..." This lyric is regarded by some to be associated with the song's earlier line, "because the music that they constantly play says nothing to me about my life". Rogan's biography reports that initial critical response to this content was interpreted as distaste for the increasing influence of Rap and R&B over popular music at the time, although has since been understood by some as a reference to his preferred music rather than a reference to his distaste for the 'music that they constantly play'. Another song cited by NME (New Musical Express) as possible proof of Morrissey's racism was "Asian Rut" from 1991, which vividly describes the murder of an Asian man by white racists. Others have said that with lines such as "it must be wrong / three against one?" Morrissey appears to be siding with the Asian victim.

Critics of the racism allegations point to Morrissey’s involvement in organizations such as Amnesty International and almost performing at an anti-Apartheid concert.^[18][19] Morrissey has also been quoted as saying "If I am racist then the Pope is female. Which he isn't," and "If the National Front were to hate anyone, it would be me. I would be top of the list." Though, he qualified that by saying that far-right rage "is simply their anger at being ignored in what is supposed to be a democratic society."^[20]

In 1999 Morrissey commented on the rise of Austrian far-right politician Jörg Haider, stating "This is sad. Sometimes I don't believe we live in an intelligent world."^[21] In 2004 he signed the explicitly anti-fascist Unite Against Fascism statement.^[22]

Animal rights

Morrissey is a vegetarian and has been since he was 11 years old. Morrissey explained his vegetarianism by saying "If you love animals, obviously it doesn't make sense to hurt them."^[23] Morrissey is an advocate for animal rights and a supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). In recognition of his support, PETA honoured him with the Linda McCartney Memorial Award at their 25th Anniversary Gala on September 10, 2005.^[24]

Morrissey used to wear leather, stating in 1986 that "there is simply no sensible alternative" to leather shoes. He has also said "I find shoes difficult to be ethical about - one just can't seem to avoid leather. One is trapped, ultimately." However, it was reported in the April 2006 issue of SPIN Magazine that Morrissey now wears fake leather shoes.

In January 2006, Morrissey attracted criticism after stating he accepts the motives behind the terrorist tactics of the Animal Rights Militia, saying "I understand why fur-farmers and so-called laboratory scientists are repaid with violence - it is because they deal in violence themselves and it's the only language they understand."^[25]

Morrissey has criticised people who are involved in the promotion of eating meat, specifically Jamie Oliver and Clarissa Dickson Wright — the latter already targeted by some animal rights activists for her stance on fox hunting. In response, Dickson-Wright stated “Morrissey is encouraging people to commit acts of violence and I am constantly aware that something might very well happen to me.” The Conservative MP David Davis criticised these comments, though his party leader David Cameron is well known to be a Smiths fan.^[26]

On March 27, 2006, Morrissey released a statement that he would not include any concert dates in Canada on his world tour that year — and that he supported a boycott of all Canadian goods — in protest of the country's annual seal hunt, which he described as a "barbaric and cruel slaughter".^[27]

Sexuality

Morrissey's sexuality has been a matter of debate. A 1984 Smiths article in Rolling Stone stated that Morrissey "admits he's gay" but Morrissey replied that it was news to him and the article used the term "fourth-gender" in its title. ^[28] Throughout much of Morrissey's career he maintained in interviews that he was asexual and celibate, but he did admit, in a 2006 NME interview, to no longer being celibate. In a 1997 interview he revealed he had been in a relationship with someone for two years but that it had ended and the person in question had just stopped loving him. He did not reveal the gender of his partner or whether it was a sexual relationship but he did admit to caring deeply and he had hoped that they had shared similar feelings. ^[29] However, Morrissey frequently suggests to interviewers who choose to ask him as to his sexuality that the question is irrelevant to his music and the interview or responds with a retort which can be read either way.

The persona that emerges from Morrissey's songs, however, is not that of a person who lacks interest in sex. Rather, sexuality pervades his lyrics, which frequently depict a person who longs for sexual and physical intimacy with others, but finds his attempts to express his sexuality constantly frustrated by barriers such as shyness, insecurity or rejection by potential sexual partners — and for whom celibacy is consequently an involuntary matter of circumstance rather than a personal choice.^[30]

Discography

Main article: Morrissey discography

Bibliography

Before gaining widespread recognition with The Smiths, Morrissey (then still with forename) wrote a number of booklets on his favourite cultural subjects, music and film.

• New York Dolls (Babylon Books; 1981, 1995² ISBN 0-907188-50-8)
• James Dean Is Not Dead (Babylon Books; 1983, 1984², 1997³ ISBN 0-907188-06-0)
• Exit Smiling (Babylon Books; 1998 [written in 1980, discusses a number of Morrissey's favourite, obscure B-movie actors] ISBN 0-907188-47-8)

Other books by or about Morrissey

• Morrissey: Scandal and Passion by David Bret
• The "Smiths" and Beyond by Kevin Cummins
• Morrissey's Manchester by Phill Cummins
• The Smiths: Songs That Saved Your Life by Simon Goddard
• Morrissey : Histoire d'un dandy rebelle by Sébastien Raizer
• Morrissey by Pat Reid
• Morrissey: Landscapes of the Mind by David Bret
• Morrissey: In His Own Words by Morrissey and John Robertson
• Morrissey and Marr: The Severed Alliance by Johnny Rogan
• Morrissey by Johnny Rogan
• Morrissey: The Albums by Johnny Rogan
• The Wrong Boy by Willy Russell
• How Soon Is Never by Marc Spitz
• Saint Morrissey: A Portrait of This Charming Man by an Alarming Fan by Mark Simpson
• Peepholism: Into the Art of Morrissey by Jo Slee
• Morrissey Shot a book of photographs by Linder Sterling

Notes and References

External links

• morrisseymusic.com – website run by Sanctuary Records
• myspace.com/morrissey – the official Morrissey Myspace page
• LASID – Smiths/Morrissey Lyric and Song Information Database
• Hiddenbyrags – Morrissey Resource
• There Is A Site That Never Goes Out - Morrissey and The Smiths Fan Forum
• 'On Suffering Morrissey and the Romantic Hero' – article with comprehensive analysis of Morrissey's life and work
• Moz The Cat – Wide-ranging LA Weekly interview conducted in January, 2007.

The Smiths
Morrissey - Johnny Marr - Andy Rourke - Mike Joyce
Craig Gannon - Dale Hibbert
Discography
Albums: The Smiths | Meat Is Murder | The Queen Is Dead | Strangeways, Here We Come | Rank (live)
Singles: Hand in Glove | This Charming Man | What Difference Does It Make? | Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now | William, It Was Really Nothing | How Soon Is Now? | Shakespeare's Sister | That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore | The Boy with the Thorn in His Side | Bigmouth Strikes Again | Panic | Ask | Shoplifters of the World Unite | Sheila Take a Bow | Girlfriend in a Coma | I Started Something I Couldn't Finish | Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me | There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
Band-assembled compilations: Hatful of Hollow | The World Won't Listen | Louder Than Bombs
Other compilations: Stop Me | Best...I | ...Best II | Singles | The Very Best of The Smiths
Related
Rough Trade Records

•  • [ e] Morrissey
Discography
Albums: Viva Hate | Kill Uncle | Your Arsenal | Vauxhall and I | Southpaw Grammar | Maladjusted | You Are the Quarry | Ringleader of the Tormentors Live albums: Beethoven Was Deaf | Live at Earls Court Compilations: Bona Drag | World of Morrissey | | My Early Burglary Years | The Best of Morrissey
Related articles
The Smiths | Boz Boorer | Alain Whyte | Stephen Street | Mick Ronson | Steve Lillywhite | Tony Visconti | HMV | Sire Records | Sanctuary Records

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