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Morrissey

Famous English people

Morrissey (Steven Patrick Morrissey) was born on May 22, 1959 in Manchester, England to family of Irish immigrants. 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 and acidic wit which underpins his songs' frequent references to alienation and failed love. He does not shy from controversy in his songs, with themes including; child murder, gang violence, domestic violence, prostitution, racism, drug use, assassination, political protest, anti-religion, suicide and terrorism. A celebration of the outsider is a constant theme in his work.

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 Marianne Faithfull, Sandie Shaw, and Cilla Black. 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, and he later responded with the controversially received debut album track "Suffer Little Children".

Morrissey has described his adolescence period as a time when was often lonely and depressed. As a teenager, he began taking prescription drugs for depression. He left school early after passing only a few 'O' levels, and 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.

In 1982 Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr formed The Smiths. The Smiths are widely regarded as one of the most influential bands of the 1980s alternative rock movement. 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 songwriting. 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 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. 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.

Following The Smiths' split, Morrissey's first solo album came in 1988 in the form of Viva Hate. To create the album, Morrissey teamed up with former Smiths producer Stephen Street as well as Vini Reilly of Durutti Column. The prevailing sound of the album is a jangle-pop similar to that of the Smiths, though Reilly's guitar works adds more abrasive and atmospheric elements to the work. Viva Hate struck 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 sublime b-sides "Hairdresser On Fire" and "Sister I'm A Poet," the songs of this period are considered among Morrissey's best work. 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. This band 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 earned a Grammy nomination for best alternative album.

1994 brought Morrissey back to number one in the UK, with Vauxhall and I. One of the album's highlights, "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. The record endures as a fan favourite to this day. Further albums Southpaw Grammar and Maladjusted were less well received both critically and commercially due to their prog-rock elements. Fans remain split about the quality of the albums. These albums do have their special moments however, including the songs "Reader Meet Author" and "Trouble Loves Me," both of which are still occasionally included in live setlists.

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 Hispanic 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) is now on the market and he currently resides in Rome.

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 (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 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, the album became 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 and stating that he would have preferred it if the current President, George W. Bush, had died.

With the release of "I Have Forgiven Jesus" in December 2004, Morrissey along with McFly became the only artists to score 4 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'.

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 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 always been politically outspoken and is not known for 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.”

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.

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."

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." 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.

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It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Morrisey".