We are shocked — shocked! — to find Morrissey being dramatic online. The former Smiths front man issued a blog on his website titled “A Soul for Sale,” offering his stake in the band to the highest bidder. “I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce. I have had enough of malicious associations,” Morrissey said in a statement. “I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution.”
Morrissey says he can sell you:
➽ 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.
This comes after Morrissey previously claimed his ex-bandmate Johnny Marr filed to trademark the Smiths “without any consultation.” In September 2024, Morrissey said Marr blocked the release of a new Smiths best-of box set. “Warner approached Morrissey and [sleeve designer] Darren Evans to assemble artwork for all four releases, all of which were rejected and halted out of hand by J Marr,” Morrissey wrote on his website.
Through reps, Marr refuted Mozz’s claims. “In 2018, following an attempt by a third party to use the Smiths’ name — and upon discovery that the trademark was not owned by the band — Marr reached out to Morrissey via his representatives, to work together in protecting the Smiths’ name,” a spokesperson said. Morrissey allegedly failed to respond to Marr’s overtures, so Marr trademarked the band’s name himself. “As a gesture of goodwill, in January 2024, Marr signed an assignment of joint ownership to Morrissey,” the spokesperson continued. “Execution of this document still requires Morrissey to sign.” So Mozz maybe own’s half of the Smiths, if he ever signed Marr’s contract. Anyway, if you want to buy whatever rights to the Smiths Morrissey owns, there’s a Gmail account you can contact. It’s on Morrissey’s blog, below a weirdly pixelated still from The Last Picture Show.
Related
- The Smiths, Like the Queen, Are Dead
- Andy Rourke Paid His Dues
- Morrissey Says Alleged Spacey, Weinstein Misconduct Just ‘Pathetic Courtship’
He was looking for a job and then he found a job, and heaven knows he’s miserable now.
