Morrissey: biography

Steven Patrick Morrissey, born on 22 May 1959, is one of the most influential lyricists and singers of the past thirty years, first as frontman of The Smiths and then as a solo artist in his own right. In a career spanning three decades, he has inspired a fanatical fan base, adopting lyrical themes no other pop star will dare to touch.

The Smiths

With The Smiths, Morrissey shot to fame as a controversial and outspoken front man. His legendary partnership with Johnny Marr, a man who shared his musical passions, produced four albums that are widely considered classics. Morrissey's lyrical style combined realism, wit and an affinity for the outsider, to create a unique and literate set of songs for a deeply divided British decade. From well-known classics like 'How Soon Is Now' and 'There Is a Light That Never Goes Out' to more obscure cuts such as 'Asleep' and 'Pretty Girls Make Graves', Morrissey and Marr, backed by Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke, made for a formidable team, and their impact would live on long after their split in 1987.

Solo

In 1988, following the break up of his band, Morrissey released his first solo record 'Viva Hate'. Championed by music critics, the album spawned the hit singles 'Suedehead' and 'Every Day Is Like Sunday', demonstrating that Morrissey was not limited to success with The Smiths. Throughout the 1990s, Morrissey recorded a number of albums, all of which received varying reactions from the music press. 'Your Arsenal' and 'Vauxhall & I' are considered his strongest works from this period. 'Vauxhall's' acoustic, somber approach was a welcome break from the more rambunctious, rockabilly sound of earlier records. Following two less well-received albums, 'Southpaw Grammar' and 'Maladjusted', Morrissey went on an extended hiatus, moving to Los Angeles and touring sporadically. While some thought the singer was calling it a day, he returned in 2004 with a comeback record 'You are the Quarry', which featured 4 Top 10 UK Singles and brought the singer back to the forefront of British Pop. In 2006, Morrissey followed the success of 'Quarry' with 'Ringleader of the Tormentors', hailed by British newspaper The Observer as 'the Morrissey masterpiece'. His late-period renaissance continued with 'Years of Refusal' in 2009, a record that won plaudits for strong songwriting and a more loose, live feel.

Influence

Morrissey's remarkable career has seen many ups and downs, but the singer continues to inspire devotion from legions of fans who look up to the man as the ultimate anti-hero. Ever the rebellious outsider, Morrissey's many controversies are undoubtedly matched by his prodigious talent as Britain's finest musical wordsmith.