Morrissey

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File:Morrissey smiths1.jpg
Morrissey in 1990

Steven Patrick Morrissey (born May 22, 1959), professionally known as Morrissey, is a singer and songwriter from Manchester, England, who rose to prominence as the vocalist of the highly influential British rock group The Smiths. When the band broke up in 1987, Morrissey began a successful solo career and has had the distinction of charting top ten British singles in three separate decades.

Morrissey is often noted as one of the key pop lyricists of his generation, with many subsequent bands hailing his influence. Detractors usually describe his work as depressing, while fans point to the sardonic humour which underpins his songs' frequent references to alienation and failed love. He does not shy from controversy in his songs. Themes which he has touched on include child murder, gang violence, domestic violence, prostitution, racism, drug use, homosexuality, disability, assassination, and terrorism. A celebration of the outsider is a constant theme in his work. He has been stereotyped as appealing to shy teenagers, and his work has been said to glorify working-class criminality. [1]

Biography

Early life

Morrissey was born in Manchester, England to Irish immigrants Peter and Elizabeth Morrissey, who had moved to England just before his birth. He grew up in the working-class area of Stretford, Manchester, England. While his parents were married for most of his childhood, he had an unusually strong attachment to his mother, a librarian. Perhaps because of this relationship, he developed a number of interests as a child that marked him out among his working-class peers: '60s girl groups and female singers, particularly Sandie Shaw, Marianne Faithfull, Cilla Black and Timi Yuro; films from the 1950s and 1960s; playwright, novelist & poet Oscar Wilde and Coronation Street's Elsie Tanner. His athletic ability saved him from bullying; however, he describes his adolescence as very lonely and depressing.

After leaving school early (after failing his O levels), Morrissey worked briefly for the Inland Revenue, but ultimately decided to "go on the dole", sequestering himself in his room in his mother's home and forsaking the outside world to concentrate on writing, reading, and listening to music. A substantial influence on Morrissey at the time was the play A Taste of Honey, by Shelagh Delaney, a work he quoted from and assimilated often into Smiths tracks. During this period, he also wrote two novella-like publications about two of his most influential heroes: a book called James Dean Is Not Dead and a fanzine called simply The New York Dolls.

An early advocate of punk, the young Morrissey formed the UK branch of the New York Dolls fan club, and was allegedly one of forty-two audience members attendant at the infamous Sex Pistols show at the Manchester Free Trade Hall in 1976. In 1977 he briefly fronted Manchester punk band The Nosebleeds, writing several songs and featuring in a New Musical Express review before the band broke up less than a year later. Nosebleeds guitarist Billy Duffy later found success playing for The Cult.

Another strong influence on Morrissey was the Moors Murders in the early 1960s. The couple Ian Brady and Myra Hindley abducted, raped and brutally murdered several children, burying them on the moor above Manchester. The song "Suffer Little Children" on The Smiths' debut album was one of Morrissey's responses to the crimes, and he has reflected that he could easily himself have been one of the child victims.

The Smiths

The Smiths are viewed by many as one of the most influential bands of the 1980s post-punk era. Morrissey's ambiguous sexuality, provocative iconoclasm, and lyrical compositions blended with guitarist Johnny Marr's highly melodic songwriting to sell many recordings. The band became a success in the UK, Ireland, and Australia, and grew into a cult obsession in the United States of America, where it did quite well on college radio charts with songs such as "How Soon Is Now?" and "Panic."

The band broke up due to conflict between Morrissey and Marr, after a productive period from 1984 to 1987 when they released several successful albums: The Smiths, Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead, and Strangeways, Here We Come.

Solo career

Morrissey's subsequent career has also produced successful albums. In 1994 he achieved his highest ever chart position with Vauxhall and I (1994) and its single "The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get." After producing several albums in the early years of his solo career with a production outfit not unlike his collaboration with Marr, Morrissey moved on from the songwriting services of Stephen Street for Viva Hate (1988) and Bona Drag (1990) and Mark Nevin for Kill Uncle (1991). The band he assembled for 1992's hit album Your Arsenal sharply renewed his sound and sales success with a fresh, American rockabilly sound. 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 it earned a Grammy nomination for best alternative album. Bowie, a fan of Morrissey, asked him to join his 1995 tour. However, feeling disenchanted with the tour and Bowie himself, Morrissey left the tour early. Bowie covered Morrissey's song "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday" on his 1993 album "Black Tie, White Noise". In 2004, Morrissey spoke of Bowie in "Friday Night with Jonathan Ross" (his first UK television interview in 17 years) calling him "David Showie" and claiming that the veteran artist was simply a 'business'. Also, in a 2004 GQ magazine article, he said: "(He is) not the person he was. He is no longer David Bowie at all. Now he gives people what he thinks will make them happy, and they're yawning their heads off. And by doing that, he is not relevant. He was only relevant by accident."

Morrissey vacated his Dublin home for Los Angeles in the late 1990s and found an entirely new life in the American West. There, to the interest of many, he has connected with the Hispanic community, in which Morrissey has found a large new fan base. Morrissey's songs of alienation and isolation have appeared to translate lock, stock and barrel from the streets of Manchester to LA, something that he himself has expressed surprise and gratitude about. His 1931-built LA mansion (once home of F Scott Fitzgerald as well as Clark Gable) is currently up for sale as he is relocating.

Morrissey on the cover of his 2004 album You Are The Quarry

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, reportedly, to sign new artists.

Morrissey's album You Are the Quarry was released on May 17, 2004 (but 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" debuted on KROQ on March 22, 2004 and was released internationally on May 10, 2004. The single reached No.3 in its first week of sales in the UK singles chart. This is the highest placing chart position for Morrissey in his entire career as both a solo artist and the lead singer of The Smiths. Also, the album is his most successful one, solo or with The Smiths. It has sold over a million copies.

At a Dublin concert on June 5 2004, Morrissey caused global controversy by announcing the death of former US President, Ronald Reagan; then exclaiming he would have preferred it if George W. Bush had died. [2]

With the release of "I Have Forgiven Jesus" in December 2004, Morrissey became the only artist to score 4 top 10 hits in the UK singles chart that year.

In 2005 a work of musical theatre based on Morrissey's songs, Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others, premiered at the Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith, London.

Morrissey's forthcoming album is titled Ringleader of the Tormentors. Recorded in Rome, it is scheduled to be released internationally on April 3, 2006, and one day later in North America. The producer is Tony Visconti, famed for his work with T. Rex and David Bowie. [3] He has also recently announced a world tour, but focusing on smaller venues than his previous UK tour.

The first track off the album, "I Will See You in Far-Off Places", was leaked on the Internet on February 2, 2006. The music combines mystic chanting, horns, buzzsaw guitars, a pounding bass line and relentless drumming with vocal gymnastics reminiscent of several tracks from You Are the Quarry such as "Come Back To Camden" and "You Know I Couldn't Last". Boasting a Middle Eastern melody, lyrics touching upon the theme include:

Destiny for some is to save lives | But destiny for some is to end lives | But there is no end | And I will see you in far-off places

If God bestows protection upon you | And if the U...S...A doesn't bomb you | I believe I will see you | Somewhere safe | Looking into the camera | Messing around and pulling faces

Speculation at various Morrissey fansites have suggested the song is about Osama bin Laden, and that "far-off places" is a metaphor for hell. Others have interpreted the song as addressing a lover in a Middle Eastern nation.

The album's first single, "You Have Killed Me," was first broadcast on the radio station BBC 6 Music on 4 February, 2006. The song's lyrics reference Rome and Romans several times, with lines such as "Piazza Cavour, what's my life for," and mention of actress Anna Magnani and author/film director Pier Paolo Pasolini (who was born in Bologna but lived in and wrote about Rome).

The entire Ringleader of the Tormentors album was leaked on the Morrissey fansite, Morrissey-solo, on March 5, 2006.

Morrissey's first UK tour in 2006 sold out within two hours. It will include three nights at the London Palladium where he will play on three consecutive Sundays.

In March of 2006, Morrissey released a statement in which he announced he will not tour Canada due to the seal hunt, which started a day before he made the announcement. Not new to the world of Morrissey, this caused much controversy. Some comments were misunderstood, in particular some Canadians felt Morrissey was comparing Canadian citizens to Nazi's.

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 (at least one that satisfied his demands).

In 1996, The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce sued Morrissey and Johnny Marr for royalties and won. The judge presiding over case ruled that Morrissey was "devious, truculent and unreliable." Morrissey has since escaped paying the compensation by moving out of the United Kingdom.

In a 2002 tour, he famously said "bring me the head of Elton John." Morrissey has severely criticized fellow singers such as Madonna 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". Morrissey also once openly wished that Morrissey & Marr: The Severed Alliance author "Johnny Rogan ends his days very soon in an M3 pile-up".

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-70's), rave and teenage pop stars.

Feuds with political leaders

Morrissey has always been outspoken and is known for never holding back when disparaging political leaders he does not approve of. His most famous enemies have been The British Royal Family, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, current Prime Minister Tony Blair, and current 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 making him the subject of an official investigation. Many of the officers were said to be embarrassed at the absurdity of the situation, some even asking for Morrissey's autograph. Not to be outdone, Morrissey’s follow-up single 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.”

File:Mozstewart6tw.jpg
With his Jon Stewart for President shirt

In October 2004, Morrissey released a politically charged statement urging American voters to vote for John Kerry for President. Morrissey's statement was, "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!" This statement appeared on his official website and was accompanied by a photograph of him wearing a t-shirt that was designed and made by a fan and given to him before a concert on 22 October 2004 in Atlanta, Georgia.[4]

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 was quoted as saying, "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." [5]

Racism accusations

Morrissey was maligned during much of the 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 had once said "I don't hate Pakistanis, but I dislike them immensely" in his late teens (whilst acknowledging one of his closest friends was a black woman at the time.)

A trigger for much of the criticism was Morrissey's performance at the first Madness re-union show at Finsbury Park, London where he appeared draped in the Union Jack. Coinciding with the event, he also stated in the press that he was "thrilled that many of his new fans were skinheads". At the concert however, the skinheads who constitute Madness' fanbase booed him off the stage by throwing objects and verbal abuse. However, Scottish journalist Thomas Nimmo, leapt to the defence of the singer, and put forward the idea that "he was attempting to reclaim the flag from the far right."

The harshest attacks came from the NME music paper who made him persona non grata for more than a decade. (Such had been the NME's fanatical love affair with Morrissey and The Smiths in the 1980s and early 1990s, the paper was jokingly called the New Morrissey Express). Morrissey and the NME ended their feud in 2004.

Evidence against the racism allegations include his longstanding support for anti-racist organisations and causes, such as the Labour Party, Amnesty International [6], and anti-Apartheid [7]. Morrissey himself remarked at the time "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." [8]

In 1999 he condemned the rise of Austrian far-right politican Jorg Haider, stating "This is sad. Sometimes I don't believe we live in an intelligent world."[9]

In 2004 he signed up to the explicitly anti-fascist Unite Against Fascism statement. [10]

In the 2004 song "America Is Not the World" Morrissey sings "Where the president is never black, female or gay Until that day, you've got nothing to say to me" [11]

Animal rights

Morrissey has been a vegetarian 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." [12] Morrissey also remains an advocate for animal rights and a supporter of PETA. In recognition of his support, PETA honored him with the Linda McCartney Memorial Award at their 25th Anniversary Gala on September 10, 2005. [13]

In January 2006, Morrissey gained controversy after pledging his support for the terrorist tactics of the Animal Rights Militia, and claiming "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." [14].

Morrissey also attacked people who are involved in the promotion of eating meat, and specifically Jamie Oliver and Clarissa Dickson-Wright, the latter already being targeted by animal extremists 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.” Morrissey has also been criticized by British government officials, some of whom suggested that Morrissey should be investigated by the police for inciting violence. [15]

On March 27, 2006, Morrissey released a statement[16] that he will not include any dates in Canada on his current world tour in protest of the country's annual seal harvest which he described as a "barbaric and cruel slaughter" . This has confounded many of his fans, as has been touring America despite the fact that it is the world's largest slaughterer of animals for meat - a seemingly double standard on his behalf. Reaction to Morrissey's statement and further boycott of Canadian goods has been angry and swift amongst Canadian fans, feeling that they are being punished for something that is out of their control.

Sexuality

In the eighties Morrissey announced that he was celibate. Many believed him to be homosexual because the lyrics he wrote while in The Smiths tended toward sexual ambiguity. Morrissey has never denied being gay but he has never acknowledged his homosexuality either.

However, many Morrissey fans believe their idol is gay but he talks about his love life through his music. Songs such as "This Charming Man", "Handsome Devil", "Ambitious Outsiders", "Hand in Glove", "Roy's Keen" and "Dear God, Please Help Me" clearly have lyrics that discuss gay romance and longing. Also, two of Morrissey's beloved idols, Oscar Wilde and James Dean, reportedly had sexual relationships with men; Wilde was famously imprisoned for two years on sodomy charges. Morrissey is reluctant to speak of his private life, which only fuels intense speculation on the subject. An openly gay music journalist, Richard Smith, wrote that most Smiths' songs were only open to a homosexual reading, and urged Morrissey to come out of the closet. Morrissey himself said in an early 1990s Rolling Stone article, "I'm gay? Well, that's news to me." When asked to 'set the record straight' on this issue in the 2003 British Channel 4 Documentary "The Importance of Being Morrissey" he simply stated, "I don't see any 'crooked record'. People think they know, think they understand. I don't really care what people think -- it makes no difference to me. And I'm not hiding anything." He remains tight-lipped on the issue, which only adds to the mystery which has, in no small part, contributed to his allure for over 20 years. He did, however say in a 2006 interview with the NME that he was no longer celibate when the issue came up concerning lyrics from his new album (I entered nothing and nothing entered me/Till you came with the key for example) - he had only said that in 1984 and it had stuck with him since.

Trivia

  • Morrissey was named after an American actor called Steve Cochran.
  • He has an older sister named Jackie.
  • In the mid 80s he once appeared on the cover of Smash Hits with a hearing aid and a fluffy kitten in his arms. The kitten was tearing down the hearing aid with its paws.
  • He is a big classic film buff and he loves Hollywood history. He lived in an apartment formerly owned by Greta Garbo and a house built by Clark Gable. One of Morrissey's pop idols, Nancy Sinatra, lives near him. The song "Let Me Kiss You" was recorded by Nancy, with Morrissey and Alain Whyte singing background vocals.
  • Nicknames: Moz, Mozza, Mozzer, Mozfather, Pope of Mope, Il Mozzalini.
  • In a 1997 interview to support the release of "Alma Matters", the lead single from Maladjusted, Morrissey cited "Shoplifters of the World Unite" as his favourite Smiths song.
  • In June 2004 the British newspaper The Observer asked Morrissey what his top ten favourite British albums were. He responded he could only think of one great British album: For Your Pleasure by Roxy Music.
  • A wide and diverse range of famous people have publicly stated that they are fans of Morrissey's work.
  • Douglas Coupland's book Girlfriend in a Coma is named after a Smiths song, and several barely concealed Smiths lyrics and song titles are scattered through the book. A choice quote is one of the characters saying something they didn't mean to, and exclaiming, "Bigmouth strikes again!"
  • "The Wrong Boy" by Willy Russell is based on a teenager who is obsessed with the Smiths and throughout features letters to Morrissey. References to The Smiths feature heavily.
  • The British comedian Harry Hill paid tribute to Morrissey on a 1999 episode of the ITV television programme Stars In Their Eyes, with a slapstick performance of The Smiths' second single This Charming Man. Morrissey later voiced his displeasure upon watching the archive footage when he made an appearance on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross in May 2004. He also paid tribute to him on Harry Hill's TV Burp with a weekly feature "Ouija Board, Ouija Board" which featured the Morrissey song as its theme.
  • Swedish author and Morrissey fan Peter Birro claims that track "Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together" saved him from committing suicide.
  • In Los Angeles, Morrissey–who is known to many fans by the nickname "Moz"–has found a large Latino audience. This new and rather unexpected fan base has even led to a new nickname for L.A.: Moz Angeles. In 2004, LA filmmaker William E. Jones directed a documentary film about Morrissey's Latino fans called Is It Really So Strange?.
  • Morrissey is noted for using and liking the Southam Street work of photographer Roger Mayne.
  • Morrissey was rumored to be romantically linked to Billy Mackenzie of The Associates in the early 1980s. The source of this rumour may have been a magazine stunt in which the two singers were sent on a blind date in the style of the popular TV show of that name. Mackenzie is rumored to be the subject of The Smiths' hit song "William, It Was Really Nothing", and the rumor is furthered by The Associates' response song "Stephen, You Were Really Something" though the song was written by Billy's bandmate Alan Rankine.
  • Morrissey has stated that he enjoys watching boxing, presumably after he befriended ex-boxer Jake Walters.
  • Between 1992 and 1994, Morrissey and ex-boxer and skinhead Jake Walters shared a house and were thought to be lovers. Walters also served as Morrissey's personal assistant at the time.
  • The song, "Best Friend on the Payroll", is said to have been written about Jake Walters, with telling lyrics such as "More breakfast in bed, and I'll bring the paper in later | The best friend on the payroll | Oh, no, no, no, it's not gonna work out".
  • The songs "Swallow On My Neck" and "Sunny" are also thought to be about Jake Walters. "Swallow..." describes the happy beginnings of their relationship, while "Sunny" serves as open letter to Jake after the relationship has ended, and references Jake's rumoured drug problems as perhaps the cause of the break-up.
  • When he was a teenager, he suffered from depression and took prescription drugs.
  • Before The Smiths was formed, he was the vocalist of a band called The Nosebleeds.
  • Morrissey used to be a supporter of Manchester United football team and his favourite player was Eric Cantona. In the documentary The Importance of Being Morrissey (2002), he mentions that he no longer follows football, and would only start to watch again if the players would kick about a politician. "If there was Tony Blair instead of a round object I'd be captivated."
  • Morrissey's mother was a librarian. His father was a hospital porter.
  • Before he moved to America, Morrissey was a neighbour of playwright Alan Bennett in London, and was known to pay him a visit on occasion. The work of the two has often been compared, with both containing similar themes of bleakness, humour, and a bittersweet examination of northern English manners.
  • On more than one occasion, Morrissey has abruptly cancelled scheduled concert appearances.
  • Morrissey is the subject of an infamous Viz satirical tabloid-style humor piece, which has been made popular by t-shirt versions. Fans often wear this t-shirt ironically to concerts.
  • The lead singer of Brand New, Jesse Lacey, is a very big fan of Morrisey and traces of this are in many his songs. (Mostly in the new demos).
  • The book The Boy with the Thorn in His Side by Peter Wentz of the band Fall Out Boy is named after a song by The Smiths and contains lyrics and mentions of The Smiths and Morrissey.
  • The band Pretty Girls make Graves is named after the Smiths' song that shares that title
  • Morrissey is famous for his anti-drugs policy and fired Smiths bassist Andy Rourke due to his heroin addiction. This action was taken to preserve the band and not a personal vendetta against Rourke.
  • Joe Trohman,lead guitarist of Fall Out Boy, is a huge fan of Morrissey and The Smiths, and has a tattoo that says "The Queen is dead" and one that says "Viva Hate".
  • Pete Burns, lead singer of Dead or Alive, is a good friend of Morrissey's, both appearing together on the front cover of Smash Hits in the 1980's. They regularly send each other presents.
  • Hilary Duff [17], Fred Durst [18], Kirsten Dunst [19], Anthrax [20], Pat Sajak, Ryan Adams, Iggy Pop, Carl Barat, Jack Black, Michael Ian Black, Bono, David Bowie, Jeff Buckley, Kathy Burke, David Byrne, David Cameron, Billy Corgan, Douglas Coupland, Pete Doherty, Brandon Flowers, John Frusciante, Harry Hill, Peter Gabriel, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Ricky Gervais, Gwen Stefani [21], Martin L. Gore, Davey Havok, Craig Kilborn, Jesse Lacey, JT LeRoy, Joel Madden, Marilyn Manson, Chris Martin, Colin Meloy, Brian Molko, Chino Moreno, Daryl Palumbo, Samuel Preston, Jonathan Ross, J. K. Rowling, Matt Skiba, Michael Stipe, Mikey Way, Gerard Way, Peter Wentz and Thom Yorke have all publicly stated that they are fans of Morrissey's work.
  • The Perks of Being a Wallflower mentions a Smiths song, "Asleep," as Charlie's, the protagonist, favorite song.

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.

  • The 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)

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Morrissey.

Official websites

Fansites

Morrissey's band

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