Is Morrissey excessively humble?
Legendary singer Morrissey, popularly known as "Mozzer," captured the hearts of many in the '80s as the frontman of iconic British indie band The Smiths. Beyond this group, he also achieved considerable success as a solo artist. However, his career has not been without its controversies.
The year started on a sour note for Morrissey, with the cancellation of several concerts because of "physical exhaustion," as declared on his Instagram account. This led to the postponement of performances in the US and South America, regions that boast a massive fan base.
Fans eagerly anticipated two "special concerts" mentioned on his website, but they were left without specific dates or any further information. Statements made by Morrissey during his career have frequently upset and disturbed audiences, and with his 65th birthday on the horizon (May 22), there was a degree of uncertainty surrounding this charismatic yet enigmatic figure.
Steven Patrick Morrissey—born in 1959 and raised by Irish immigrants in Greater Manchester—rewrote music history as the lead singer of The Smiths. They released four critically-acclaimed albums in four years: "The Smiths" (1984), "Meat Is Murder" (1985), "The Queen Is Dead" (1986), and "Strangeways, Here We Come" (1987). All these albums have stood the test of time, characterized by their haunting melodies and poignant lyrics.
Morrissey and the group's guitarist, Johnny Marr, collaborated to compose these melodies with patience and skill. Bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce completed the lineup. The band's body of work sheds light on sociopolitical issues and taboos, with Morrissey crafting heterogeneous and often humorous songs.
After the Smiths disbanded in 1987, Morrissey continued his solo career, still mesmerizing fans with his distinct voice and vivid songwriting. Pieces like "Irish Blood, English Heart" extolled his marginalized childhood in Britain under Margaret Thatcher's conservative regime.
One of Morrissey's most talked-about attributes is his outspoken commitment to animal rights. The staunch vegan consistently criticizes the meat and dairy industry, even using shocking footage during his concerts to demonstrate animal cruelty. He also wrote "The Bullfighter Dies," a song that questions the ethics of bullfighting.
Morrissey has generated much public discourse due to his candid regards about politics, culture, and society. Songs like "Viva Hate" and "You Are The Quarry" showcase his penchant for stirring debate, often provoking difficult reactions from his fans. His more recent pronouncements often characterized his views as vehemently anti-establishment, leading some to label him reactionary.
2022 saw public feuds arise with his former bandmate, Johnny Marr. When Marr told the media that he and Morrissey were not particularly close, Morrissey responded in a letter requesting Marr to refrain from mentioning him in interviews.
The English singer went as far as claiming that he had been the driving force behind The Smiths, a perception that would likely upset many of his fellow bandmates. "I came up with the band name, the song titles, the album titles, the artwork, the vocal melodies, and all the lyrical sentiments," he said on his website, outlining the vastness of his contribution to the band.
In October 2022, as part of his "40 Years of Morrissey" tour, the singer reflected on his long and unexpected career during an interview with Fox 5 television. "At the beginning, I really thought it would only last a year," reveals Morrissey. "And I said at the time that I would be happy even if it only lasted a year," he added, revealing his humble beginnings. "I'm a pathetically modest person."
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Source: www.ntv.de
