- Born
- Birth nameSteven Patrick Morrissey
- Nicknames
- Moz
- Mozza, Mozzer
- The Pope of Mope
- The Sage of Salford
- Height5′ 11″ (1.80 m)
- Steven Patrick Morrissey was born in Davyhulme, Manchester, England, UK. At a very early age, he took an interest in writing. His top priority was poetry, though he would have his biography on James Dean, "James Dean Is Not Dead", published by his early 20s. His literary influences ranged from Oscar Wilde to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, though he was also an avid fan of pop music and film. Some of his primary musical idols were David Bowie, Ray Davies and Marc Bolan.
In 1982, Morrissey was approached by local Mancunian guitarist and songwriter Johnny Marr. Marr asked him to collaborate, and so began possibly the greatest songwriting duo of the 1980s. Morrissey's witty and morbidly sentimental lyrics were a perfect match with Marr's odd chord progressions and unusual tunings. They soon added Marr's schoolmates Andy Rourke (bass) and Mike Joyce (drums). The duo became a quartet and dubbed themselves The Smiths. The Smiths released six studio albums and several catchy three-minute singles from 1983 to 1987. The band found critical acclaim in both their native England and the U.S. They never broke into the mainstream in the U.S., though they became college radio legends, mainly due to Morrissey's intelligent but often controversial themes.
The band broke up in 1987 over a conflict of musical interest between Morrissey and Marr. Morrissey found solo success after The Smiths, achieving a far greater status in the U.S. than The Smiths ever had. His greatest triumph was 1992's "Your Arsenal", which was nominated for a Grammy for best alternative album. The album was produced by former David Bowie guitarist Mick Ronson.
In 1997, former The Smiths drummer Mike Joyce successfully sued Morrissey and Marr over songwriting royalties. The chance of a "Smiths" reunion seems bleak, but their music will continue to be played by devoted, intelligent fans everywhere. To put it simply, the music of Steven Morrissey and The Smiths was "as smart as pop music gets".
- IMDb mini biography by: John Wilhelm
- RelativesSam Esty Rayner(Niece or Nephew)
- Known for his strangling croon, depressing but witty lyrics, and high hair
- Pompadour
- Often attacks political figures in his songs
- Bono, Neil Hannon, Jeff Buckley, J.K. Rowling, David Bowie, Noel Gallagher, Harry Hill, Craig Kilborn, Thom Yorke, David Cameron, Jeremy Vine, Janice Long, Jonathan Ross, Kathy Burke and Terry Christian have all publicly stated they admire his work.
- Doesn't watch any movies made after 1970.
- Is a staunch vegan--his rider stipulates that meat is not at all allowed in the buildings that he performs in.
- Lives next door to Nancy Sinatra. He wrote a song for her new album called "Let Me Kiss You".
- Sang a duet of Marc Bolan's "Cosmic Dancer" with David Bowie.
- Don't talk to me about people who are "nice" cause I have spent my whole life in ruins because of people who are "nice".
- Artists aren't really people. And I'm actually 40 per cent papier mache.
- All I said was "bring me the head of Elton John", which would be one instance when meat would not be murder, if it was on a plate.
- That was the problem with the 'celibate' word because they don't consider for a moment that you'd rather not be, but you just are. I was never a sexual person.
- Age gives you a great sense of proportion. You can be very hard on yourself when you're younger but now I just think 'well everybody's absolutely mad and I'm doing quite well'.
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