Steven Patrick Morrissey AKA Morrissey was born on the 22th of May 1959 in Davyhulme, Greater Manchester, UK. He was the second son of Irish immigrants Peter Morrissey and Betty Dwyer. His mother Betty who was a librarian gave him his interest in reading. He worked first as a clerk for the civil service and then the Inland Revenue. Later he worked in a record store and as a hospital porter.
 |
| Scene from "Suedehead" videoclip |
First Morrissey appeared in the local band The Nosebleeds and was chairman of the New York Dolls fanclub. In 1981 his book "The New York Dolls" was published and in 1983 another book written by Morrissey was published called "James Dean Is Not Dead". He started his official musical career in The Smiths from 1982-1987.
 |
| "James Dean Is Not Dead" book by Morrissey |
After the Smiths split up he immediately started a solo career with greater success. The Smiths co-producer Stephen Street sent demos to Morrissey that could be used as B-sides for singles of the Smiths after Johnny Marr left the band. Morrissey like the demos and decided to use this for his solo debut album to be produced by Stephen. The album was released 6 months after the last studio album of the Smiths "Strangeways, Here We Come".
 |
| Morrissey and Stephen Street in 1988 |
As musicians for the solo album he used guitarist Vini Reilly of the post punk band Durutti Column, Stephen Street played bass guitar and drummer Andrew Paresi (aka Andrew McGibbon). Andrew was an all round artist. Besides music he also was an actor and comedian. He drummed on the first 2 albums of Morrissey. After that he joined the feminist band Bleed which didn't breakthrought and split up in 1997.
"Viva Hate" was released on 14 March 1988 by record label His Master's Voice. Australia had troubles with that album title and changed it to "Education In Reverse". In the US they added an extra track: "Hairdresser on Fire". Which was the B-Side to the single "Suedehead". The album managed to reach #1 in the UK, #12 in the Netherlands and #48 in the US.
 |
| Original single cover "Suedehead" |
After the release of the album he released many exclusive singles not released on albums starting with "The Last Of The Famous International Playboys". Recording sessions for a new studio album "Bona Drag" with guitarist Kevin Armstrong were unsatisfied and were canceled. The record company released "Bona Drag" as a compilation including all the singles from this period with their B-Sides. Guitarist Mark Nevin from the Fairground Attraction with Madness producers Langer & Winstanley was a better choice for the next album "Kill Uncle" that was finally released in 1991. Three years after his debut album "Viva Hate".
SONGS:
- Everyday Is Like Sunday - The lyrics commemorate the dreariness of a seaside town in the off-season, It was inspired by Nevil Shute's On the Beach, a novel about a group of people waiting for nuclear devastation in Melbourne, Australia. As a single it reached #9 in the UK
- Suedehead - The first single released reachting #5 in the UK. A suedehead was an outgrown skinhead, but outgrown only in the hair sense. It is also the title of a book by Richard Allen. The videoclip showed also his love for James Dean and his visit to Dean's grave.
- Margaret on the Guillotine - Was a death wish for Margeret Tatcher which resulted that Morrissey was briefly being questioned by the Special Branch of the Metropolitan Police of London.
- Hairdresser On Fire - This song was expressing Morrissey's frustration with being unable to see his hairdresser.
Instead of featuring images of classic celebrities, as the Smiths' album and single covers had done, the cover sleeve of Viva Hate featured a photograph of Morrissey taken by Anton Corbijn.
 |
| Original album cover |
Alsatian Cousin / Little Man, What Now? / Everyday Is Like Sunday / Bengali In Platforms / Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together / Late Night, Maudlin Street / Suedehead / Break Up The Family / The Ordinary Boys / I Don't Mind If You Forget Me / Dial-A-Cliché / Margaret On The Guillotine
Viva Hate (USA - 1988)
Alsatian Cousin / Little Man, What Now? / Everyday Is Like Sunday / Bengali In Platforms / Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together / Late Night, Maudlin Street / Suedehead / Break Up The Family / Hairdresser On Fire / The Ordinary Boys / I Don't Mind If You Forget Me / Dial-A-Cliché / Margaret On The Guillotine
AUDIO/VIDEO
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Hairdresser On Fire
Angel, Angel, Down We Go Together