Pete Galli, who as you know was Morrissey’s manager until a recent parting of ways, tells the Morrissey Mercury exclusively: “It was an honor to work with Morrissey. He is truly a genius and an inspiration.

“As one of the greatest living lyricists, poets, songwriters, performers and personalities, Morrissey also needs to be recognized as one of the greatest animal rights activists in history as well as a beacon for free speech and his unwillingness to compromise on his beliefs and artistic integrity.

“He is the living definition of a true artist and deserves to be respected and honored as a national and international treasure.”

Follow the Morrissey Mercury fanzine and the Morrissey and Wine podcast here: https://linktr.ee/morrisseymercury.
Cheers everyone.

Another one jumping on the bandwagon:

"The trouble with The Smiths is that they are still so good. You’d expect them to be found out, what with the direction their singer went in recent years. But there’s no fade, there’s no mistake. If anything their records get better (maybe because I haven’t listened in a while).
I listened to Half A Person, a b side, and it dazzles and left me dizzy still with its unmistakable brilliance. I know many can’t listen any more, and I don’t often, but there it is. As my care for the singer has diminished, so my love for Marr and Rourke and Joyce has grown.."

Full posts and some interesting replies.

Mojo November '24 - Rhoda Dakar Interview snippet with Moz ref:
Another cover was Morrissey's Everyday Is Like Sunday. " I'm not an apologists for him or his ideas, obviously" noting that she liked the Pretenders version, the music was written by 1980 tourmate Stephen Street, and that the words suited the apocalyptic tenor of lockdown. "But sometimes the art speaks for itself. I really like that song and so I'm gonna sing it"

Morrissey has severed all connections with Red Light Management/Pete Galli Management.

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Related item:

• Morrissey-solo: Morrissey is now being managed by Pete Galli of Red Light Management (February 12, 2024)

Back in 1994, Detroit alt-rock band Sponge released their debut album Rotting Piñata, which yielded the hits “Plowed” and “Molly (Sixteen Candles).” They’re celebrating the 30th anniversary of that breakthrough with 1994, a covers album exclusively focused on songs from the titular year. The tracklist includes tunes by Sonic Youth, Alice In Chains, Mazzy Star, Stone Temple Pilots, Jawbox, Urge Overkill, and both Oasis and Blur. And for today’s lead single, Sponge offer a revved-up take on Morrissey’s “The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get.”

Sponge’s Vinnie Dombroski offers:
The band considered many great songs for the album but the Morrissey song was a STAND OUT and perhaps not an obvious choice for Sponge. That’s what makes it even cooler. With the tempo double timed from the original at the suggestion of producer Tim Patalan, the new version sounds like something off of Sponge’s 1999 New Pop Sunday album.



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A statement from Johnny Marr's management:

Recent statements made by Morrissey on his website regarding the trademark of
The Smiths' name are incorrect.

Here are the facts:

In 2018, following an attempt by a third party to use The Smiths' name - and upon
discovery that the trademark was not owned by the band - Marr reached out to
Morrissey, via his representatives, to work together in protecting The Smiths' name.

A failure to respond led Marr to register the trademark himself.
It was subsequently agreed with Morrissey's lawyers that this trademark was held
for the mutual benefit of Morrissey & Marr.

As a gesture of goodwill, in January 2024, Marr signed an assignment of joint
ownership to Morrissey. Execution of this document still requires Morrissey to sign.

In the interests of accuracy and clarity regarding the trademark, and to answer
recent reports that Marr ignored a promoter's offer to tour as The Smiths, Marr says:

"To prevent third parties from profiting from the...

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Related item:

• Morrissey Central: "BILLBOARD IN MANILA (Philippines)" (August 30, 2024)