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[[File:Morrissey.png | right | thumb | Morrissey]]
[[Category:Producer of Morrissey / The Smiths]]
{{MORRISSEY
<choose>
| Name = Steven Patrick Morrissey
<option>[[File:Morrissey.png | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 2004]]</option>
| Born = 22 May 1958
<option>[[File:MorrisseyProfile1.png | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 2014]]</option>
| Hometown = Davyhulme, Lancashire, England
<option>[[File:MorrisseyProfile2.png | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 1993]]</option>
| Years Active = 1977-Present
<option>[[File:MorrisseyProfile3.png | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 2004]]</option>
| Record Labels = [[HMV Records|HMV]], [[Parlophone Records|Parlophone]], [[Sire Records|Sire]], [[RCA Records|RCA]], [[Reprise Records|Reprise]], [[Mercury Records|Mercury]], [[Attack Records (UK)|Attack]],<br>[[Sanctuary Records|Sanctuary]], [[Decca Records|Decca]], [[Lost Highway Records|Lost Highway]], [[Major Minor Records| Major Minor]]
<option>[[File:MorrisseyProfile4.png | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 1990]]</option>
| Associated Acts = [[The Smiths]], [[Ed Banger and the Nosebleeds|The Nosebleeds]], [[Slaughter & The Dogs]]
<option>[[File:MorrisseyProfile5.png | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 1997]]</option>
| Official Website        = itsmorrisseysworld.com
<option>[[File:MorrisseyProfile6.jpg | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 2009]]</option>
}}
<option>[[File:MorrisseyProfile7.jpg | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 2009]]</option>
 
<option>[[File:MorrisseyProfile8.jpg | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 2004]]</option>
 
<option>[[File:MorrisseyProfile9.jpg | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 2014]]</option>
 
<option>[[File:Morrissey 2009.jpg | 200px | right | thumb | Morrissey, 2006]]
== Early Life ==
</option>
 
</choose>
[[File:Morrissey_and_jacqueline.jpg | left | thumb | Morrissey & Jacqueline, 1965.]]Born on 22 May 1959 at Park Hospital in Davyhulme, Lancashire, Steven Patrick Morrissey is the youngest child of Irish Catholic parents who had emigrated to Manchester from County Kildare with his elder sister Jacqueline a year prior to his birth. His father, Peter, was a hospital porter and his mother, Elizabeth was an assistant librarian. His family first lived at Harper Street in Hulme before moving to nearby Queen's Square in 1965. By 1969, however, when many of the old streets and tenements were facing demolition, Morrissey's parents moved to a three-bedroom house on King's Road in the suburb of Stretford.
== General Information ==
 
* Discography - [[:Category:The Smiths Discography | The Smiths]], [[:Category:Morrissey Discography | Solo]]
Morrissey has said his athletic ability saved him to a large degree from bullying during adolescence. Still, 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. 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."Of his youth, Morrissey said, "Pop music was all I ever had, and it was completely entwined with the image of the pop star. I remember feeling the person singing was actually with me and understood me and my predicament." From 1974, he frequently wrote letters to music magazines like Melody Maker and the NME, giving his opinions on various bands. Morrissey would sometimes go to see bands in Manchester, the first being T. Rex at Belle Vue in 1972. He was taken there by his father, fearing for his safety in the notoriously rough district. Morrissey has described the occasion as "messianic and complete chaos".
* Lyrics - [[:Category: The Smiths Lyrics | The Smiths]], [[:Category:Morrissey Lyrics | Solo]]
 
* Live History - [[The Smiths Live| The Smiths]], [[Morrissey Live | Solo]]
During the 1970s, Morrissey was president of the UK branch of the New York Dolls fan club. He articulated his love for the group in the documentary New York Doll: "Some bands grab you and they never let you go and, no matter what they do, they can never let you down ... the Dolls were that for me." Morrissey was an early convert to punk rock. Morrissey, then still with forename, briefly fronted The Nosebleeds in 1978, who by that time included Billy Duffy (later of The Cult) on guitar. They played a number of concerts, including one supporting Magazine, which was reviewed in the NME by Paul Morley. Morrissey also founded The Cramps fan club "The Legion of the Cramped" with another enthusiast for their music, Lindsay Hutton, but he progressively scaled down his involvement in the club over time because of the increasing amount of time he was devoting to his own musical career.
* [[:Category:Influences|Influences]]
 
His own younger image featured as a backdrop during [[Mention::Once I Saw The River Clean]]'s live debut (2020) and then at his Vegas residency during [[Mention::Never Had No One Ever]] (2021). Also as a tour t-shirt circa 2013:
Morrissey wrote several songs with Duffy, such as "Peppermint Heaven," "I Get Nervous" and "(I Think) I'm Ready for the Electric Chair," but none were recorded during the band's short lifespan, which ended the same year. After The Nosebleeds' split, Morrissey followed Duffy to join Slaughter & the Dogs, briefly replacing original singer Wayne Barrett. He recorded four songs with the band and they auditioned for a record deal in London. After the audition fell through, Slaughter & the Dogs became Studio Sweethearts, without Morrissey. The singer interrupted his music career at around this time, focusing instead on writing on popular culture. He published two works with Babylon Books: The New York Dolls (1981), about his favourite band; and James Dean is Not Dead (1983), about actor James Dean's brief career. A third book, Exit Smiling, which was actually written first (in 1980) and which dealt with obscure B movie actors, was initially rejected and remained unpublished until 1998.
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File:Young Morrissey backdrop.jpg
=== The Smiths ===
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File:Oh manchester shirt 2013.jpg | [https://shop.minorthread.com/products/morrissey-oh-manchester-so-much-to-answer-for-tour-shirt-size-large source]
The Smiths were formed in early 1982 by Steven Morrissey and John Maher, a guitarist and songwriter. Maher changed his name to [[Johnny Marr]] to avoid confusion with the [[Buzzcocks]] drummer, and Morrissey performed solely under his surname. After recording several demo tapes with the drummer from The Fall, Simon Wolstencroft, they recruited drummer Mike Joyce in the autumn of 1982. Joyce had formerly been a member of punk bands The Hoax and Victim. As well, they added bass player [[Dale Hibbert]], who also provided the group with demo recording facilities at the studio where he worked as a factotum. However, after two gigs, Marr's friend Andy Rourke replaced Hibbert on bass, because neither Hibbert's bass playing or personality fit in with the group. In a 1984 interview Morrissey stated that he chose the name The Smiths "...because it was the most ordinary name, and because he thought that it was time that the ordinary folk of the world showed their faces."<ref>{{cite web | date=1984 | title=Interview | format=http | work=[[Melody Maker]], ''cited at'' Hiddenbyrags.com | url=http://www.hiddenbyrags.com/mminterview1984.html | accessdate = 2007-04-22}}</ref> Signing to indie label [[Rough Trade Records]], they released their first single, "[[Hand in Glove]]", in May 1983. The record was championed by DJ [[John Peel]], as were all of their later singles, but failed to chart. The follow-up singles "[[This Charming Man]]" and "[[What Difference Does It Make?]]" fared better when they reached numbers 25 and 12 respectively on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="guinness book">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=David (ed.)|title=[[Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums|British Hit Singles & Albums]]|publisher=[[HIT Entertainment]]|date=2006|edition=19th edition|pages=pp. 509–510|isbn=1-904994-10-5}}</ref> Aided by praise from the music press and a series of studio sessions for [[John Peel]] and [[David Jensen]] at [[BBC Radio 1]], The Smiths began to acquire a dedicated fan base.
File:Davis merch 2013.jpg | [https://www.morrissey-solo.com/threads/davis-ca-robert-mondavi-center-at-uc-davis-mar-4-2013-post-show.127258/#post-1986763520 source]
 
</gallery>
In February 1984, the group released their debut album ''[[The Smiths (album)|The Smiths]]'', which reached number two on the UK Albums Chart.<ref name="guinness book" /> The released debut album followed a scrapped full-length version of the album recorded between July and August 1983 by producer Troy Tate. This collection, with its numerous variations from the final released version, is known as the "Troy Tate Sessions" and is a rarity. The planned single, "[[Jeane]]," was retained as a B-side for the "This Charming Man" single.<ref>Simon Goddard, ''The Smiths: The Songs That Saved Your Life'', Reynolds & Hearn Ltd, pp. 46-53.</ref> Shortly after the release of the album, [[Sandie Shaw]], who Morrissey was a fan of, recorded vocals for "Hand in Glove" backed by Marr, Rourke and Joyce. The hit single resulted in the band performing barefoot (a Sandie Shaw trademark) in tribute on ''[[Top of the Pops]]''. In 1984, the band released several singles not taken from the album: "[[Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now]]" (the band's first UK top-ten hit) <ref name="guinness book" /> and "[[William, It Was Really Nothing]]" (which featured "[[How Soon Is Now?]]" as a [[B-side]]). The year ended with the compilation album ''[[Hatful of Hollow]]''. This collected singles, B-sides and the versions of songs that had been recorded throughout the previous year for the Peel and Jensen shows.
Backdrops used in Los Angeles and Mexico City (2000):
 
<gallery>
Early in 1985 the band released their second album, ''[[Meat Is Murder]]''. This album was more strident and political than its predecessor, including the pro-vegetarian title track (Morrissey forbade the rest of the group from being photographed eating meat), the light-hearted republicanism of "[[Nowhere Fast]]", and the anti-corporal punishment "[[The Headmaster Ritual]]" and "[[Barbarism Begins At Home]]". The band had also grown more adventurous musically, with Marr adding rockabilly riffs to "[[Rusholme Ruffians]]" and Rourke playing a funk bass solo on "Barbarism Begins At Home". The album was preceded by the re-release of the B-side "[[How Soon is Now?]]" as a single, and although that song was not on the original LP, it has been added to subsequent releases. ''Meat Is Murder'' was the band's only album (barring compilations) to reach number one in the UK charts.<ref name="guinness book" /> The single-only release "[[Shakespeare's Sister]]" reached number 26 on the UK Singles Chart<ref name="guinness book" />, although the only single taken from the album, "[[That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore]]", was less successful barely making the top 50.<ref name="guinness book" />
File:Mozangeles.jpg | [https://www.morrissey-solo.com/tour/2000/images/mozangeles/index.html source]
 
File:Morrisseylights.jpg | [https://www.morrissey-solo.com/tour/2000/images/mozangeles/index.html source]
During 1985 the band completed lengthy tours of the UK and the US while recording the next studio record, ''[[The Queen Is Dead]]''. The album was released in June 1986, shortly after the single "[[Bigmouth Strikes Again]]". The single again featured Marr's strident acoustic guitar rhythms and lead melody guitar lines with wide leaps. The record reached number two in the UK charts.<ref name="guinness book" /> However, all was not well within the group. A legal dispute with Rough Trade had delayed the album by almost seven months (it had been completed in November 1985), and Marr was beginning to feel the stress of the band's exhausting touring and recording schedule. He later told ''NME'', "'Worse for wear' wasn't the half of it: I was extremely ill. By the time the tour actually finished it was all getting a little bit... dangerous. I was just drinking more than I could handle."<ref name="mainstream">Kelly, Danny. "Exile on Mainstream". ''NME''. 14 February 1987.</ref> Meanwhile, Rourke was fired from the band in early 1986 due to his use of [[heroin]]. He received notice of his dismissal via a [[Post-it note]] stuck to the windshield of his car. It read, "Andy&nbsp;– you have left The Smiths. Goodbye and good luck, Morrissey."<ref>{{cite web | author=Harris, John | title=The Smiths - Trouble At Mill/The Queen Is Dead and beyond: part 3 | work=Johnharris.me.uk | url=http://www.johnharris.me.uk/arch/interview/Smiths/Smiths_pt3.htm | accessdate = 2007-04-22}}</ref> Rourke was temporarily replaced on bass by [[Craig Gannon]] (formerly a member of Scottish New Wave band Aztec Camera), but he was reinstated after only a fortnight. Gannon stayed in the band, switching to [[rhythm guitar]]. This five-piece recorded the singles "[[Panic]]" and "[[Ask]]" (with [[Kirsty MacColl]] on backing vocals) which reached numbers 11 and 14 respectively on the UK Singles Chart,<ref name="guinness book" /> and toured the UK. After the tour ended in October 1986, Gannon left the band. The group had become frustrated with Rough Trade and sought a record deal with a major label. The band ultimately signed with [[EMI]], which drew criticism from the band's fanbase.<ref name="mainstream" />
</gallery>
 
Image from [[Nürburg, Germany 2006-06-02 (Morrissey concert)|Nürburg]] (2006) used as a backdrop in 2016 during [[Mention::Good Looking Man About Town]]:
In early 1987 the single "[[Shoplifters of the World Unite]]" was released and reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart.<ref name="guinness book" /> It was followed by a second compilation, ''[[The World Won't Listen]]''&nbsp;– the title was Morrissey's comment on his frustration with the band's lack of mainstream recognition, although the album reached number two in the charts<ref name="guinness book" />&nbsp;– and the single "[[Sheila Take A Bow]]", the band's second (and last during the band's lifetime) UK top-10 hit.<ref name="guinness book" /> Despite their continued success, personal differences within the band&nbsp;– including the increasingly strained relationship between Morrissey and Marr&nbsp;– saw them on the verge of splitting. In August 1987, Marr left the group, and auditions to find a replacement for him proved fruitless. By the time the group's fourth album ''[[Strangeways, Here We Come]]'' was released in September, the band had split up. The breakdown in the relationship has been primarily attributed to Morrissey becoming annoyed by Marr's work with other artists and Marr growing frustrated by Morrissey's musical inflexibility. ''Strangeways'' peaked at number two in the UK but was only a minor US hit,<ref name="guinness book" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=5703&model.vnuAlbumId=15763|title=Artist Chart History - The Smiths: Albums|publisher=[[Billboard|''Billboard''.com]]|accessdate=2008-08-13}}</ref> although it was more successful there than the band's previous albums. The album received a lukewarm reception from critics, but both Morrissey and Marr name it as their favourite Smiths album<ref>[http://www.passionsjustlikemine.com/disc/smiths-d35shwc.htm ''Passions Just Like Mine'' website]</ref>. A couple of further singles from the album were released with earlier live, session and demo tracks as B-sides, and the following year the live album ''[[Rank]]'' (recorded in 1986 while Gannon was in the band) repeated the UK chart success of previous albums. There have been many more compilations released since the group's demise as the group's back catalogue is now in the hands of Warner Music following Rough Trade's bankruptcy.
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File:Morrissey rock am ring 2006.jpg | [https://www.sueddeutsche.de/kultur/pop-und-rassismus-gestoertes-smitheinander-1.891587 source]
In 1996, Joyce took Morrissey and Marr to court, claiming that he had not received his fair share of recording and performance royalties. Morrissey and Marr had claimed the lion's share of The Smiths' recording and performance royalties and allowed ten percent each to Joyce and Rourke. Composition royalties were not an issue, as Rourke and Joyce had never been credited as composers for the band. Morrissey and Marr claimed that the other two members of the band had always agreed to that split of the royalties, but the court found in favour of Joyce and ordered that he be paid over £1 million in back pay and receive twenty-five percent henceforth. As Smiths' royalties had been frozen for two years, Rourke settled for a smaller lump sum to pay off his debts and continued to receive ten percent. While the judge in the case described Morrissey as "devious, truculent and unreliable", he did not state that the singer had been dishonest.<ref>{{cite web | author=[[BBC News]] | date=11 December 1996 | title=Rock band drummer awarded £1m payout | format=http | work=BBC, ''cited at'' Cemetrygates.com | url=http://www.cemetrygates.com/vault/news/court.html | accessdate = 2007-04-22}}</ref> Morrissey claimed that he was "...under the scorching spotlight in the dock, being drilled..." with questions such as " 'How dare you be successful?' 'How dare you move on?'". He stated that "The Smiths were a beautiful thing and Johnny [Marr] left it, and Mike [Joyce] has destroyed it."<ref name="importance being">Nine, Jennifer. "The Importance of Being Morrissey". ''Melody Maker''. 9 August 1997.</ref> Morrissey appealed against the verdict, but was not successful.<ref>{{cite web | year=1998| title=Joyce vs. Morrissey and Others | format=http | work=England and Wales Court of Appeal (Civil Division) Decisions | url=http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/1998/1711.html | accessdate = 2007-02-16}}</ref>
File:Good looking man about town 2016.jpg | [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pjr0MDgoVmo screenshot from video source] - MOZfreek00 / YouTube
 
In late November 2005, while appearing on radio station BBC 6 Music, Mike Joyce claimed to be having financial problems and said that he had resorted to selling rare band recordings on eBay. As a teaser, a few minutes of an unfinished instrumental track known as "The Click Track" was premiered on the show. Morrissey hit back at Joyce with a public statement shortly after, on the website true-to-you.net.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_051130_01 |title=Statement from Morrissey, 30 November 2005 |accessdate=2007-12-07 |format= |work= }}</ref> Relations between Joyce and Rourke cooled significantly as a result of Morrissey's statement which claimed that Joyce had misled the courts. Morrissey claimed that Joyce had not declared that Rourke was entitled to some of the assets seized by Joyce's lawyers from Morrissey. [[VH1]] attempted to get the band back together for a reunion on its ''[[Bands Reunited]]'' show. The program abandoned its attempt however after host [[Aamer Haleem]] was unsuccessful in his attempt to corner Morrissey before a show. To this day Morrissey refuses to reunite his old band, going as far as to say that he would "rather eat [his] own testicles than re-form The Smiths, and that’s saying something for a vegetarian."<ref>{{cite web | author=Antrobus, Stuart| year=2006| title=Morrissey: 'I'd Rather Eat My Testicles Than Re-form The Smiths' | format=http | work=Gigwise.com | url=http://www.gigwise.com/news.asp?contentid=15239 | accessdate = 2006-08-15}}</ref> In March 2006, Morrissey revealed that The Smiths had been offered $5 million to reunite for a performance at the [[Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival]], which he turned down, saying, "No, because money doesn't come into it." He further explained, "It was a fantastic journey. And then it ended. I didn't feel we should have ended. I wanted to continue. [Marr] wanted to end it. And that was that."<ref>{{cite web | author=Jeckell, Barry A.| year=2006| title=Morrissey: Smiths Turned Down Millions To Reunite | format=http | work=CNN.com | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002198233 | accessdate = 2006-08-15}}</ref>
 
When asked why he would not reform The Smiths, Morrissey responded "I feel as if I’ve worked very hard since the demise of The Smiths and the others haven’t, so why hand them attention that they haven’t earned? We are not friends, we don’t see each other. Why on earth would we be on a stage together?"<ref>{{cite web | author=Melia, Daniel| year=2006| title=Morrissey: 'The Smiths Don't Deserve To Be On Stage With Me' | format=http | work=Gigwise.com | url=http://www.gigwise.com/news.asp?contentid=18006 | accessdate = 2006-08-21}}</ref> In August 2007, it was reported by the NME that once again Morrissey had turned down a near £40 M offer to reunite with [[Johnny Marr]] on a 50 date world tour<ref>{{cite web | author=Anon| year=2007| title=Morrissey rejects fresh attempt at Smiths reunion | format=http | work=NME.com | url=http://www.nme.com/news/the-smiths/30599 | accessmonthday=23 August | accessyear=2007}}</ref>, Morrissey later denied these claims calling the reunion tour a hoax.<ref>[http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=26177_0_2_0_C Morrissey announces new album - reunion tour Smiths a hoax]</ref> On 10 November 2008 ''[[The Sound of The Smiths]]'', a remastered [[The Smiths|Smiths]] compilation was released. The album, made available as either a single or double disc CD, marked the first time since the band's break-up that both Morrissey and Marr collaborated on a Smiths release. Morrissey himself is credited with having coined the compilation's title, while guitarist [[Johnny Marr]] was involved in the project's mastering.<ref>[http://www.nme.com/news/the-smiths/40013 New Musical Express]</ref> ''The Sound of The Smiths'' entered the UK charts at #21 on 16 November 2008.
 
== Solo Career==
=== The First Decade ===
 
On 22 March 1988, a mere six months after The Smiths' final album, Morrissey's released his first solo album, ''[[Viva Hate]]''. 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 singles as "[[Suedehead (single)|Suedehead]]" and "[[Everyday Is Like Sunday (single)|Everyday Is Like Sunday]]."<ref name="guinness book solo">{{cite book|last=Roberts|first=David (ed.)|title=British Hit Singles & Albums|publisher=HIT Entertainment|date=2006|edition=19th edition|pages=pp. 379–380|isbn=1-904994-10-5}}</ref> The album was originally entitled ''Education in Reverse'', but was renamed to reflect Morrissey's feelings after the break-up of The Smiths. Some LPs in Australia and New Zealand were however released with the original title. ''Viva Hate'' was certified Gold by the RIAA on 16 November 1993.
 
Morrissey initially planned to release a follow-up album entitled ''[[Bona Drag]]'' after releasing a few holdover singles from the ''Viva Hate'' sessions. As such, he released "[[The Last Of The Famous International Playboys (single)|The Last Of The Famous International Playboys]]", "[[Interesting Drug (single)|Interesting Drug]]", and "[[Ouija Board, Ouija Board (single)|Ouija Board, Ouija Board]]" over the course of 1989. The first two of these became top ten hits.<ref name="guinness book solo" /> However, by the end of 1989 it became apparent that he would not be able to put out an album of new material soon enough. Morrissey decided to scrap the idea of a full-length LP and release ''Bona Drag'' as a compilation of singles and B-sides instead. ''[[Bona Drag]]'' (1990) collected these early singles along with further non-album cuts such as "[[November Spawned A Monster (single)|November Spawned A Monster]]" and "[[Piccadilly Palare (single)|Piccadilly Palare]]," along with the B-side "[[Hairdresser On Fire]]".
 
After a falling out with Stephen Street over production royalties, Morrissey recruited the production aid of [[Clive Langer]] and songwriting services of [[Mark Nevin]], of Fairground Attraction, for the studio follow-up to ''Viva Hate,'' entitled ''[[Kill Uncle]].'' The album, which peaked at #8 on the UK charts, is often cited as the weakest in Morrissey's back catalog.<ref name="guinness book solo" /> The two singles released in promotion of the album, "[[Our Frank (single)|Our Frank]]" and "[[Sing Your Life (single)|Sing Your Life]]", failed to break the Top 20 on the singles charts reaching #26 and #33 respectively.<ref name="guinness book solo" /> Morrissey released two non-album singles, "[[Pregnant For The Last Time (single)|Pregnant For The Last Time]]" and "[[My Love Life (single)|My Love Life]]", nearly faring better on the charts. 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. The album peaked at #4 on the UK charts, with two of its four singles, "[[We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful (single)|We Hate It When Our Friends Become Successful]]" and "[[You're The One For Me, Fatty (single)|You're The One For Me, Fatty]]", both debuting in the Top 20 in the UK.<ref name="guinness book solo" />
 
By 1994 Morrissey had suffered the loss of three people close to him: Mick Ronson, Tim Broad, and Nigel Thomas. Channeling his grief, Morrissey wrote and recorded his second #1 album in the UK, ''[[Vauxhall And I]].''<ref name="guinness book solo" /> Years after the release, Morrissey acknowledged that he felt at the time that it was going to be his last album, and that not only was it the best album he'd ever made but that he would never be able to top it in the future. One of the album's singles, "[[The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get (single)|The More You Ignore Me, The Closer I Get]]," reached #8 in the UK and #46 in the US.<ref name="guinness book solo" /> That year, he also released a single "[[Interlude (single)|Interlude]]" a duet with [[Siouxsie Sioux]] of [[Siouxsie & the Banshees]]. Following the success of ''Vauxhall And I'', Morrissey began work on ''[[Southpaw Grammar]]'' in early 1995. When released in August, the album was a hit, peaking at #4 in the UK.<ref name="guinness book solo" /> However, both of its singles failed to chart in the Top 20.<ref name="guinness book solo" /> The nature of the album was different to past Morrissey releases. Musically, the inclusion of two tracks which surpass the ten minute mark, the near two and half minute drum solo courtesy of [[Spencer Cobrin]] which opens the track "[[The Operation]]" and the sampling of a [[Dmitri Shostakovich|Shostakovich]] symphony have led a critic to dub the album as 'Morrissey's flirtation with prog-rock.' Some critics were impressed by this apparent attempt at progression, while others dismissed the longer tracks as mere self-indulgence. With the exception of the single "[[Sunny (single)|Sunny]]" in that December it would be another year before Morrissey released a new album or single.
 
Morrissey returned on a new record label in 1997 with the single "[[Alma Matters (single)|Alma Matters]]" in promotion of his album ''[[Maladjusted]].'' Though the album was hailed as a return to form for Morrissey the album only peaked at #8 <ref name="guinness book solo" />and its further two singles, "[[Roy's Keen (single)|Roy's Keen]]" and "[[Satan Rejected My Soul (single)|Satan Rejected My Soul]]" peaked outside the UK Top 30.<ref name="guinness book solo" /> However, the album did cause a small amount of controversy over what was to be the penultimate track. Entitled "[[Sorrow Will Come In The End]]", it featured Morrissey intoning, rather than singing, over a backing of manic strings and the beat of a judge's gavel. The song is clearly about the [[Mike Joyce]] royalties dispute, and lyrically takes the form of, essentially, an extended threatening message to him and his representatives. [[Island Records]], Morrissey's label at the time, dropped the track from UK versions of the album for fear of libel action. Having left his new record label and lost a court case over Smiths royalties with former band mate Mike Joyce, Morrissey relocated from his Dublin home to Los Angeles in the late 1990s; though Morrissey continued to tour in the late 1990s and early 2000s, it would be another seven years before he would release another single or studio album.
 
=== The Comeback ===
 
Morrissey's album ''[[You Are The Quarry]]'' was released on 17 May 2004 (one day later in the US). The album peaked at #2 on the UK charts <ref name="guinness book solo" />. 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 (single)|Irish Blood, English Heart]]," was released internationally on 10 May 2004. The single reached #3 in its first week of sales in the [[UK singles chart]] <ref name="guinness book solo" />. 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 #3 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. Three other hit singles followed - "[[First Of The Gang To Die (single)|First Of The Gang To Die]]" (12 July 2004) UK #6 <ref name="guinness book solo" />, "[[Let Me Kiss You (single)|Let Me Kiss You]]" (11 October 2004) UK #8 <ref name="guinness book solo" />, and "[[I Have Forgiven Jesus (single)|I Have Forgiven Jesus]]" (13 December 2004) UK #10 <ref name="guinness book solo" />. With the release of "I Have Forgiven Jesus" in December 2004, Morrissey along with [[McFly (band)|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 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 next album, ''[[Ringleader Of The Tormentors]]'', debuted at #1 in the UK album charts and #27 in the US <ref name="guinness book solo" />. Recorded in Rome, it was released internationally on 3 April 2006, and one day later in North America. The album wielded four hit singles - "[[You Have Killed Me (single)|You Have Killed Me]]" (27 March 2006) UK #3 <ref name="guinness book solo" />, "[[The Youngest Was The Most Loved (single)|The Youngest Was The Most Loved]]" (5 June 2006) UK #14 <ref name="guinness book solo" />, "[[In The Future When All's Well (single)|In The Future When All's Well]]" (21 August 2006) UK #17 <ref name="guinness book solo" />, and "[[I Just Want To See The Boy Happy (single)|I Just Want To See The Boy Happy]]" (3 December 2006) UK #16 <ref name="guinness book solo" />. Originally Morrissey was to record the album with producer Jeff Saltzman, however he could not undertake the project. Producer Tony Visconti, of [[T. Rex]] and [[David Bowie]] fame, took over the production role and Morrissey announced that the album was "the most beautiful—perhaps the most gentle, so far." ''Billboard magazine'' described the album as showcasing "a thicker, more rock-driven sound"[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001806691]; Morrissey attributes this change in sound to new guitarist [[Jesse Tobias]]. The subsequent 2006 international tour included more than two dozen gigs in the UK, including concerts at the London Palladium. Just prior to the album's release, Morrissey was photographed in Rome by Bryan Adams for the cover of 'Zoo Magazine'.
 
Morrissey was scheduled to appear at the 2005 Benicassim festival in Spain but pulled out at the last minute. On 9 January 2007, the BBC confirmed that it was in talks with Morrissey for him to write a song for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest. The video for the single "You Have Killed Me" may be 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.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6244153.stm Morrissey in talks for Eurovision]</ref> On 23 February 2007 the BBC ruled this out, and stated Morrissey would not be part of Britain's Eurovision entry.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6388469.stm No Morrissey entry for Eurovision], BBC News, 23 February 2007</ref><ref>[http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=21090_0_2_0_C No eurovision for Morrissey]</ref>
 
In early 2007 Morrissey left [[Sanctuary Records]] and embarked on a ''Greatest Hits'' tour. The tour ran from 1 February 2007 to 29 July 2008 and spanned 106 concerts over 8 different countries. Morrissey canceled 11 of these dates, including a planned six consecutive shows at The Roundhouse in London, due to "throat problems". The tour consisted of three legs, the first two encompassing the U.S. and Mexico were supported by [[Kristeen Young]] from Feb to October while the remainder featured [[Girl In A Coma]]. The final leg was a small scale European tour that saw Morrissey headlining the O2 Wireless Festival in Hyde Park on 4 July and culminated in Morrissey playing at the Heatwave Festival in Tel Aviv, Israel on 29 July.
 
After a show in Houston, TX on the first leg of the tour Morrissey rented out the Sunrise Sound Studio to record "[[That's How People Grow Up (single)|That's How People Grow Up]]". The song was recorded with producer [[Jerry Finn]] rather than previous producer [[Tony Visconti]] for a future single and inclusion on an upcoming album. In an interview on [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] with Visconti, the producer stated that his new project would be "[[Years Of Refusal]]", though that this would not be forthcoming for at least a year. However, in an interview with the BBC News website in October 2007, Morrissey said that the album is already written and ready for a possible September 2008 release and confirmed that his deal with [[Sanctuary Records]] had come to an end.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7024048.stm Morrissey plans new album in 2008]</ref> In December he signed a new deal with [[Decca Records]], which included a ''[[Greatest Hits]]'' album and a newly-recorded album to follow in autumn 2008. <ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7124463.stm BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Morrissey switches record labels<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In a reaction to the NME story, Morrissey pointed out that he would rather not be signed to a label<ref>[http://www.side-line.com/news_comments.php?id=27663_0_2_0_C Morrissey hates having signed to a new label]</ref>.
 
Upon signing with Decca, Morrissey released "That's How People Grow Up" as the first single off of his new ''[[Greatest Hits]]'' album. Despite lukewarm reviews, especially in the [[NME]], the lack of airplay on British radio (except on [[XFM]]), and even the incredulity of fan sites, "That's How People Grow Up" reached the Top 15, reaching the 14th place of British charts and the 25th place in [[Germany]] when released in February of 2008. <ref name="guinness book solo" /> Following the single, Morrissey released his third ''[[Greatest Hits]]'' album. Reviews were very mixed; reviewers noted that the album only includes songs which reached the Top 15 in the charts, putting the emphasis on new songs, making the CD more suitable for new listeners than for old fans.{[http://www.nme.com/reviews/morrissey/9460]} The album charted fifth in the British album chart on its week of release. <ref name="guinness book solo" /> A limited edition of the ''Greatest Hits'' album also featured an eight-track live CD which was recorded at the Hollywood Bowl in 2007. A second single from the ''Greatest Hits'', "[[All You Need Is Me (single)|All You Need Is Me]]", was released in March 2008. Despite the prospect of only being available for one week in record stores the single reached #26 <ref name="guinness book solo" /> on the UK charts. For the single Morrissey recorded two B-sides with famed Academy Award-winning Argentinian film composer, [[Gustavo Santaolalla]]. Santaolalla recorded two tracks, "[[Children In Pieces]]" and "[[My Dearest Love]]" in Los Angeles. On 29 May 2008, Morrissey parted ways with his manager of five years, Merck Mercuriadis, in favour of a new contract with [[IE Music]], however by September Morrissey left the group and has now acquired the services of Irving Azoff.<ref>[http://www.showbizspy.com/news/05292008/morrissey-parts-with-manager] Morrissey Parts with Manager 29 May 2008</ref><ref>http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i70662f7dd9d6f3c46e8f30ac3964ec43</ref><ref>http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_081001_01</ref>
 
''[[Years Of Refusal]]'' was released worldwide on 16 February 2009 by the Universal Music Group. Upon release, it reached third place in the [[UK Albums Chart]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chartstats.com/albuminfo.php?id=13876|title=Years Of Refusal|publisher=Chart Stats|accessdate=25 February 2009}}</ref> and 11 in the US [[Billboard 200]].<ref>{{Cite news|first=Keith|last=Caulfield|title='Slumdog' Barks While Taylor Swift Nets 10th Week At No. 1|url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/charts/chart_alert/e3i03e9df1ef7d2112bf801391a4a8ba398|work=Billboard |date=25 February 2009|accessdate=25 February 2009}}</ref> The record was widely acclaimed by critics,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/morrissey/yearsofrefusal?q=years%20of%20refusal |title=Morrissey: Years of Refusal (2009) |publisher=Metacritic |date=17 February 2009 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> with comparisons made to ''[[Your Arsenal]]''<ref>{{cite web |first=Keith |last=Phillips |work=AVClub.com [http://www.avclub.com/articles/morrissey,23852/ |title=Morrissey: Years of Refusal |date=17 February 2009 |accessdate=8 March 2012}}</ref> and ''[[Vauxhall And I]]''.<ref name="ewing">{{cite web |first=Tom |last=Ewing |url=http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/12640-years-of-refusal/ |work=Pitchfork |title=Years of Refusal |date=3 February 2009 |accessdate=8 March 2012}}</ref> A review from [[Pitchfork Media]] noted that with ''Years Of Refusal,'' Morrissey "has rediscovered himself, finding new potency in his familiar arsenal. Morrissey's rejuvenation is most obvious in the renewed strength of his vocals" and called it his "most venomous, score-settling album, and in a perverse way that makes it his most engaging."<ref name="ewing" /> "[[I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris (single)|I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris]]" and "[[Something Is Squeezing My Skull (single)|I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris]]" were released as the record's singles. The song "[[Black Cloud]]" features the guitar playing of [[Jeff Beck]]. Throughout 2009 Morrissey toured to promote the album. As part of the extensive Tour of Refusal, Morrissey followed a lengthy US tour with concerts booked in Ireland, Scotland, England, Russia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tour.morrissey-solo.com/ |title=Morrissey-solo: Tour |publisher=Tour.morrissey-solo.com |date=9 March 2010 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> He had never before performed in Russia.
 
In April 2009, remastered editions of 1995's ''[[Southpaw Grammar]]'' and 1997's ''[[Maladjusted]]'' were released in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_090427_01 |title=Southpaw Grammar: Remastered version released today in the UK |publisher=True To You |date=27 April 2009 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_090427_02 |title=Maladjusted: Remastered version released today in the UK |publisher=True To You |date=27 April 2009 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> These both featured a rearranged track listing with the inclusion of B-sides and outtakes, resulting in albums quite different to the original. They also featured new artwork and liner notes written by Morrissey. The reissues were available in the US from June that year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_090605_01 |title=Maladjusted: Remastered version US release information |publisher=True To You |date=5 June 2009 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref>
 
October 2009 saw the release of a 2004–2009 B-Sides collection, named ''[[Swords]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_091026_01 |title=Swords: Album released today in the UK |publisher=True To You |date=26 October 2009 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> The album peaked at 55 on the UK albums chart, and Morrissey later called the compilation "a meek disaster."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_091216_01 |title=Statement from Morrissey to True-to-you |publisher=True To You |date=16 December 2009 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> On the second date of the UK tour to promote ''Swords,'' Morrissey collapsed with breathing difficulties upon finishing the opening song of his set, "This Charming Man," at the Oasis Centre, Swindon.<ref>{{cite news|author=James Orr |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/oct/24/morrissey-the-smiths-collapse-swindon |title='&#39;Morrissey in hospital after on stage collapse'&#39;, Guardian.com |work=The Guardian  |location=London |date= 24 October 2009|accessdate=13 August 2010 }}</ref> He was discharged from the hospital the following day.<ref>{{cite news|author=Alexandra Topping |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/oct/25/morrissey-discharged-hospital-swindon |title='&#39;Morrissey out of hospital after collapsing on stage in Swindon'&#39; Guardian.com |work=The Guardian  |location=London |date= 25 October 2009|accessdate=13 August 2010 }}</ref>
 
Following the completion of the ''Swords'' tour it was announced that Morrissey had fulfilled his contractual obligation to Universal Records and was without a record company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_091104_01 |title=Record company information |publisher=True To You |date=4 November 2009 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> Shortly after this announcement, it was also revealed he had split with Front Line Management.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_100106_01 |title=Statement from Morrissey |publisher=True To You |date=6 January 2010 |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref>
 
In July 2010, it was announced that EMI will reissue the 1990 album ''[[Bona Drag]]'' on its [[Major Minor Records|Major Minor]] imprint, resurrected specifically for the release. The release features six additional previously unreleased tracks, and was released on 4 October, entering at number 67 in the UK charts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.morrissey-solo.com/article.pl?sid=10/10/10/1849237|title=morrissey-solo.com}}</ref> The 1988 single "[[Everyday Is Like Sunday (single|Everyday Is Like Sunday]]" was also reissued to coincide with the release on both CD and 7" vinyl formats.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esounds.com/esounds/EN/SearchResults.aspx?oid=33171998-88a6-4edc-bfcf-9fa276abd21f&Sort=0&SortType=1&RPP=10&Page=1 |title=esounds |publisher=esounds |accessdate=13 August 2010}}</ref> In February 2011, EMI announced a brand new compilation – ''[[Very Best Of Morrissey]]'' – would be released in April that year. The press release stated both the tracklist and artwork were chosen by Morrissey himself, and the single "[[Glamorous Glue (single)|Glamorous Glue]]" would also be reissued the same week with two previously unreleased songs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.morrissey-solo.com/content/51-The-Very-Best-of-Morrissey-with-Bonus-DVD-Glamorous-Glue-single-with-previously-unreleased-songs-true-to-you.net-(Apr.-25)|title="The Very Best of Morrissey" with Bonus DVD; "Glamorous Glue" single with previously unreleased songs – true-to-you.net (25 Apr.)|publisher=Morrissey-Solo.com|date=22 February 2011 |accessdate=7 March 2011}}</ref> In March 2011, it was announced Morrissey was now under the management of Ron Laffitte.<ref name="true-to-you1">{{cite web|url=http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_110304_01|title=Morrissey to headline at Hop Farm Music Festival; Damien Dempsey looks likely to be added; Morrissey now managed by Ron Laffitte|publisher=True-To-You.net|date=4 March 2011 |accessdate=7 March 2011}}</ref> On 21 April 2012, in celebration of Record Store Day, EMI released a limited edition 10" picture disc, and a subsequent digital download on 23 April, of "Suedehead", as remixed by Ron and Russell Mael of [[Sparks]]. The single also feature two previously unreleased BBC live versions of "[[We'll Let You Know]]" and "[[Now My Heart Is Full (single)|Now My Heart Is Full]]", recorded at London's Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in February 1995.
 
=== The Future ===
 
[[File:MorrisseyMarket.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Morrissey, 2009]]On 14 June 2011, Janice Long premiered three new Morrissey songs in session on her BBC Radio 2 program, "[[Action Is My Middle Name]]", "[[The Kid's A Looker]]" and "[[People Are The Same Everywhere]]".<ref>{{cite web|author=Tuesday |url=http://thenjunderground.com/blog/2011/6/14/morrissey-debuts-3-new-songs-on-bbc-stream.html |title=Morrissey debuts 3 new songs on BBC (stream) – Home |publisher=The NJ Underground |date=14 June 2011 |accessdate=11 August 2011}}</ref> Another two unreleased songs, "[[Scandinavia]]"  and "[[Art-hounds]]", also appeared in his repertoire during this period.
 
Morrissey has completed a 660-page autobiography which he intends to offer to publishers.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b010dqgd "Front Row" BBC Radio Four, London 20 April 2011] Retrieved 20 April 2011</ref> ''NME'' reported that it's scheduled to be released in December 2012.<ref>{{cite web|title=Morrissey to publish autobiography in December 2012|url=http://www.nme.com/news/morrissey/58024|work=NME Online|accessdate=10 November 2011}}</ref> Morrissey has previously stated he wishes for his autobiography to reach [[Penguin Classics|Penguin Classic]] status.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Smiths bidding war hinges on 'classic' status |last=Sherwin |first=Adam |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/smiths-bidding-war-hinges-on-classic-status-2272620.html |newspaper=The Independent |publisher=The Independent Print |date=22 April 2011 |accessdate=29 December 2011}}</ref> It has been reported that [[Penguin Books]] are keen for his autobiography to be published as a "contemporary classic",<ref>{{Cite news |title=Penguin Books: 'Morrissey's autobiography is a classic in the making' |url=http://www.nme.com/news/morrissey/56282 |work=NME  |date=22 April 2011 |accessdate=29 December 2011}}</ref> and [[Faber and Faber]] are also interested in publishing his autobiography.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Faber editor bids to woo Morrissey to 'the House of Eliot' |last=Flood |first=Alison |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2010/feb/02/faber-editor-morrissey |newspaper=The Guardian |date=2 February 2010 |accessdate=29 December 2011}}</ref>
 
Morrissey's 2012 tour started in Chile and visited Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, and Philippines. A string of US shows was announced for May before a European tour, in July with concerts in Italy, Belgium, Portugal and plus his only UK appearance of the year, at Manchester Arena.
 
==Discography==
===Studio Albums===
<gallery  perrow="8">
File:Vivahate1988.jpg | ''[[Viva Hate]]'' <br><br>(1988)
File:Killuncleuk.jpg | ''[[Kill Uncle]]'' <br><br>(1991)
File:Yourarsenal.jpg | ''[[Your Arsenal]]'' <br><br>(1992)
File:Vauxhi.jpg | ''[[Vauxhall And I]]'' <br><br>(1994)
File:Southpawgrammar.jpg | ''[[Southpaw Grammar]]''<br><br> (1995)
File:Maladjusted.jpg | ''[[Maladjusted]]'' <br><br>(1997)
File:Quarryuk.jpg | ''[[You Are The Quarry]]'' <br><br>(2004)
File:Rottcover.jpg | ''[[Ringleader Of The Tormentors]]''<br> (2006)
File:Morrissey-Years-Of-Refusal_decca.jpg | ''[[Years Of Refusal]]''<br><br> (2009)
File: | ''[[Untitled Tenth Album]]'' (????)
 
</gallery>
</gallery>
 
[[Category:Concert Backdrop]]
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{{Page
[[Bona Drag]]
|FeaturedImages=File:Young Morrissey backdrop.jpg, File:Mozangeles.jpg, File:Morrisseylights.jpg, File:Morrissey rock am ring 2006.jpg
[[World Of Morrissey]]
|DiscogsArtistId=92577
[[Suedehead: The Best Of Morrissey]]
|WikipediaPageTitle=Morrissey
[[My Early Burglary Years]]
[[The CD Singles '88–91']]
[[The CD Singles '91–95']]
[[¡The Best Of! Morrissey]]
[[Greatest Hits]]
[[HMV/Parlophone Singles '88–'95]]
[[Swords]]
[[Very Best Of Morrissey]]
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[[Beethoven Was Deaf]]
[[Live At Earls Court]]
 
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Latest revision as of 08:13, 5 February 2023

Morrissey, 1993

General Information

His own younger image featured as a backdrop during Once I Saw The River Clean's live debut (2020) and then at his Vegas residency during Never Had No One Ever (2021). Also as a tour t-shirt circa 2013:

Backdrops used in Los Angeles and Mexico City (2000):

Image from Nürburg (2006) used as a backdrop in 2016 during Good Looking Man About Town:

Writer

... further results

Producer

... further results

Photographer

Discogs Information

Profile

British singer and songwriter (born May 22, 1959, in Manchester, UK), best known as the former lead singer and co-founder of The Smiths with Johnny Marr. He began his music career in the late 1970s as a lead singer for punk bands. He formed Sulky Young (renamed The Tee Shirts) and later paired for a short time with Billy Duffy for a handful of live performances. In 1982, Morrissey and Marr formed The Smiths, and he remained in the band until he decided to leave in late 1987. He debuted as a solo artist in 1988.

Previously worked at the Inland Revenue.

External Links

Wikipedia Information

300px-Morrissey_crop_tie.jpg

Steven Patrick Morrissey ( MORR-iss-ee; born 22 May 1959), known mononymously as Morrissey, is an English singer and songwriter. He came to prominence as the frontman and lyricist of rock band the Smiths, who were active from 1982 to 1987. Since then, he has pursued a successful solo career. Morrissey's music is characterised by his baritone voice and distinctive lyrics with recurring themes of emotional isolation, sexual longing, self-deprecating and dark humour, and anti-establishment stances. Morrissey was born to working-class Irish immigrants in Davyhulme, Lancashire, England; the family lived in Queen's Court near the Loreto convent in Hulme and his mother worked nearby at the Hulme Hippodrome bingo hall. They moved due to the 1960s demolitions of almost all the Victorian-era houses in Hulme, known as 'slum clearance', and he grew up in nearby Stretford. As a child, he developed a love of literature, kitchen sink realism, and 1960s pop music. In the late 1970s, he fronted the punk rock band the Nosebleeds with little success before beginning a career in music journalism and writing several books on music and film in the early 1980s. He formed the Smiths with Johnny Marr in 1982 and the band soon attracted national recognition for their eponymous debut album. As the band's frontman, Morrissey attracted attention for his trademark quiff and witty and sardonic lyrics. Deliberately avoiding rock machismo, he cultivated the image of a sexually ambiguous social outsider who embraced celibacy. The Smiths released three further studio albums—Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead, and Strangeways, Here We Come—and had a string of hit singles. The band were critically acclaimed and attracted a cult following. Personal differences between Morrissey and Marr resulted in the separation of the Smiths in 1987. In 1988, Morrissey launched his solo career with Viva Hate. This album and its follow-ups—Kill Uncle (1991), Your Arsenal (1992), and Vauxhall and I (1994)—all did well on the UK Albums Chart and spawned multiple hit singles. He took on Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer as his main co-writers to replace Marr. During this time his image began to shift into that of a burlier figure who toyed with patriotic imagery and working-class masculinity. In the mid-to-late 1990s, his albums Southpaw Grammar (1995) and Maladjusted (1997) also charted but were less well received. Relocating to Los Angeles, he took a musical hiatus from 1998 to 2003 before releasing a successful comeback album, You Are the Quarry, in 2004. Ensuing years saw the release of albums Ringleader of the Tormentors (2006), Years of Refusal (2009), World Peace Is None of Your Business (2014), Low in High School (2017), California Son (2019), and I Am Not a Dog on a Chain (2020), as well as his autobiography and his debut novel, List of the Lost (2015). Highly influential, Morrissey has been credited as a seminal figure in the emergence of indie pop, indie rock, and Britpop. In a 2006 poll for the BBC's Culture Show, Morrissey was voted the second-greatest living British cultural icon. His work has been the subject of academic study. He has been a controversial figure throughout his music career due to his forthright opinions and outspoken nature, endorsing vegetarianism and animal rights and criticising royalty and prominent politicians. He has also supported far-right activism with regard to British heritage, and defended a particular vision of national identity while critiquing the effects of immigration on the UK.




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