Former frontman of The Smiths, Morrissey, has placed his stakes in the former band on the market, in a statement in which he declared he had ‘no choice’.
In an emotional, dramatic declaration and in true Morrissey fashion he took to his website to explain why he has put his shares up for grabs.
Morrissey said “I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce. I have had enough of malicious associations. With my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images. I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution. The songs are me – they are no one else – but they bring with them business communications that go to excessive lengths to create as much dread and spite year after year. I must now protect myself, especially my health.”
Morrissey’s listed stakes include:
- The name ‘The Smiths’, as created by Morrissey.
- All Smiths artwork, as created by Morrissey.
- All Smiths merchandising rights.
- All Smiths songs lyrically / musically.
- All synchronisation rights.
- All Smiths recordings.
- All contractual rights for Smiths publishing.
The tension between Morrissey and the band, namely Johnny Marr has been present for decades. In 1987 the members of The Smiths went their separate ways after one of Britain’s greatest ever guitarists, Johnny Marr, quit the band. He even recently revealed that he has turned down the chance to reform the band and tour on the ‘Stick To Football podcast.
He said: “We got made an offer recently, but I said no… it was a little bit about principles, but I’m not an idiot, I just think the vibe’s not right… It was an eye-watering amount of money, but also, I really like what I’m doing now, which makes it a lot easier.”
After the sad passing of bassist Andy Rourke 2023, and the flare between Marr and Morrissey, most notably on political opinion, this is most definitely the final nail in the coffin for any fans hoping to see The Smiths together on stage again. Not that hopes were very high before this statement, it must be said.
It’s certainly a different way to advertise shares in a band, it will certainly be intriguing to follow what happens as a result of this. Especially considering that some of what Morrissey has listed, Marr would claim he has no right to.
Speaking to The Guardian, Marr has previously stated that he controls half of their publishing activities and exclusively owns the related trademarks, which will have a direct impact on merchandising sales to name one of many items.
Morrissey has been touring this year, successfully at that, even selling out the Manchester Co-Op Arena. It just feels like it was never enough for Morrissey, and like the first lover you never get over, he left a piece of him in the grave with ‘The Smiths’.
The statement ends as follows: “Any serious investors should make contact: eaves7760@gmail.com”
Anyone fancy it?
