Morrissey

8FnM...nem8

6 Feb 2024

Morrissey

Steven Patrick Morrissey, known simply as Morrissey, was born on May 22, 1959, in Davyhulme, Lancashire, England, to working-class Irish immigrants. The family later relocated to nearby Stretford due to the demolitions of Victorian-era houses in Hulme during the 1960s. Morrissey developed a passion for literature, kitchen sink realism, and 1960s pop music during his childhood.

In the late 1970s, Morrissey fronted the punk rock band the Nosebleeds with limited success before embarking on a career in music journalism. He also authored several books on music and film in the early 1980s. In 1982, he formed the iconic band the Smiths with Johnny Marr, and they quickly gained national recognition for their debut album. As the band's frontman, Morrissey stood out for his distinctive quiff and witty, sardonic lyrics, which often touched on themes of emotional isolation, sexual longing, and anti-establishment sentiments.
The Smiths released several successful albums and hit singles, earning critical acclaim and a devoted fan base. However, personal differences between Morrissey and Marr led to the band's dissolution in 1987.

Morrissey launched his solo career in 1988 with the album "Viva Hate," followed by successful releases such as "Kill Uncle," "Your Arsenal," and "Vauxhall and I." He collaborated with Alain Whyte and Boz Boorer as his main co-writers, shifting his image to embrace patriotic imagery and working-class masculinity.
After relocating to Los Angeles, Morrissey took a hiatus from music before making a comeback with the album "You Are the Quarry" in 2004. He continued to release albums throughout the 2000s and 2010s, including "Ringleader of the Tormentors," "Years of Refusal," "World Peace Is None of Your Business," "Low in High School," "California Son," and "I Am Not a Dog on a Chain." Additionally, he published his autobiography and debut novel, "List of the Lost."

Morrissey's influence on indie pop, indie rock, and Britpop is widely recognized, and he has been hailed as a seminal figure in music. However, he has also been a controversial figure due to his outspoken opinions on various social and political issues, including vegetarianism, animal rights, royalty, immigration, and British heritage. Despite controversy, Morrissey's impact on music and culture remains significant, and his work continues to be studied and celebrated.

Steven Patrick Morrissey, known as Morrissey, was born on May 22, 1959, at Park Hospital in Davyhulme, Lancashire, England, to Elizabeth and Peter Morrissey. His family, of Irish Catholic descent, had immigrated to Manchester from Dublin, along with his elder sister Jacqueline, a year prior to his birth.

Growing up in the Queen's Square area of Hulme, inner Manchester, Morrissey was deeply affected by the Moors murders, which had a lasting impression on him and influenced the lyrics of The Smiths song "Suffer Little Children." He also experienced anti-Irish sentiment in British society against Irish immigrants.

Morrissey attended St. Wilfred's Primary School and later St. Mary's Secondary Modern School, where he found the experience unpleasant and felt like an unpopular loner. He excelled at athletics but was critical of his formal education, feeling it lacked empathy and understanding.

After leaving school in 1975 without formal qualifications, Morrissey continued his education at Stretford Technical College, where he gained three O-Levels. He later visited his aunt in Staten Island, New York, in 1975. His parents' strained relationship ultimately led to their separation in December 1976.

Morrissey's interest in reading was encouraged by his librarian mother, and he developed a fascination with feminist literature and idolized Irish author Oscar Wilde. He was a fan of television soap opera Coronation Street and admired Shelagh Delaney's A Taste of Honey and its film adaptation.

Pop music played a significant role in Morrissey's youth, and he became a fan of glam rock in the 1970s, particularly artists like T. Rex, David Bowie, Roxy Music, and the New York Dolls. He formed a British fan club for the New York Dolls and developed a fascination for female pop singers from the 1960s, including Marianne Faithfull, Sandie Shaw, Twinkle, and Dusty Springfield.
Morrissey's early experiences and influences laid the foundation for his future career as a musician and songwriter, shaping his unique style and perspective on music and culture.

After leaving formal education, Morrissey took on various jobs, including working as a clerk for the civil service and the Inland Revenue, as well as a salesperson in a record store, and a hospital porter. He eventually left employment and claimed unemployment benefits. Much of his earnings went towards purchasing tickets for gigs, where he frequented performances by bands like Talking Heads, the Ramones, and Blondie. He was deeply involved in the alternative and post-punk music scene, regularly attending concerts and immersing himself in the music culture.

In November 1977, Morrissey met guitarist Billy Duffy and agreed to become the vocalist for Duffy's punk band, the Nosebleeds. He co-wrote several songs with the band and performed with them in support slots for other bands. However, the Nosebleeds eventually disbanded.
Following the break-up of the Nosebleeds, Morrissey briefly joined Slaughter & the Dogs as a replacement singer. He recorded four songs with the band and auditioned for a record deal in London, but the audition fell through, and the band continued without him.

During this time, Morrissey became known as a minor figure in Manchester's punk community. He developed close friendships with individuals like Linder Sterling, frontwoman of Ludus, and James Maker. Maker and Morrissey often visited gay bars and clubs together in Manchester and London, where they encountered challenges such as gay bashing incidents.

Seeking to pursue a career in writing, Morrissey considered music journalism. He began writing letters to the music press and was eventually hired by Record Mirror. Additionally, he authored several short books for Babylon Books, including a booklet on the New York Dolls and "James Dean is Not Dead," reflecting his admiration for the late American film star. Morrissey's fascination with Dean was evident in his room adorned with pictures of the actor.