Stephen Street hits out at "bitchy" Morrissey - Hot Press

SMITHS PRODUCER HITS OUT AT "BITCHY" MORRISSEY
Stephen Street has criticised Morrissey for some of the personal attacks mounted in his Penguin Classic.
The Hot Press Newsdesk, 30 Oct 2013, 18:14
“People have often asked me, ‘Do you think The Smiths will ever reform’,” says the producer. “I always thought it unlikely. Having read ¾ of Morrissey’s book I would now say there’s not a hope in hell. Honestly, I am amazed at some of the character assassinations and jibes at certain people’s appearances in the book. People might say, ‘Well, you got off lightly’, and I agree I did but I don’t enjoy seeing other people who contributed to the success of the band and his solo career being put down in such a bitchy matter. What does it achieve?”
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Regards,
FWD

But Morrissey claims, "It is quite true that I have never had anything in my life that I did not make for myself."

 

[Claude]

Ha ha, your reply is laughable!

Teenager?Who moi?

I am a 46 year old woman, widowed, i live alone very happily & independently.
My gawd, i have had quite a life so far, you couldn't write the script, believe me. So sorry to disappoint you Claude but i am not just "discovering things" as you so inaccurately assumed.

You miss my point about the autobigraphy completely. His take on people is pure observation & character descriptions, fact - some people are overweight, some women walk around with lipstick on their teeth - this is not bullying. I am short but don't feel bullied if someone describes me as "diddy".

I could take you on & have a good game of table tennis on here, but i chose not to. You are entitled to your opinion just like i am entitled to mine, just saying.

Kind regards.

Yeah but who are you fooling?

Your idol doesn't say they're "overweight". He writes miles nastier than that and he doesn't do that in passing either.

And "diddy" is one thing, but how about laughing on and on about calling you a "shortass", a "dwarf", a "midget", that "you didn't grow", or that you "need a toothpick as a walking stick", and below that? See the difference? Surely you will agree there are different levels and that some are abundantly in playground bullying territory.

As for the rest, I'm glad you're happy and independent.

 

[Charlie Cheswick]

Why are people so determined on a fan site to paint a man who's the focal point of that fan site in the worst light possible?

Nobody's perfect by any stretch but you'd think Moz was Stalin, Pol Pot and Hitler rolled into one.

He's opinionated but ultimately nobody has died or been physically harmed by him.

 

[Peterb]

With respect Anonymous. You know nothing about me, i certainly do have " insight " & I am great at sussing people out. Morrissey is a gem in a dull world where most people follow others like sheep & are wishy washy. If Morrissey ruffles people's stubble then good, the truth hurts sometimes but you grow a backbone & get over it.. He sticks to his guns which very few people in this life are afraid of doing.Yes of course i am a fan, a very realistic one. I think alot of people have missed the essence of a really good autobioraphy here where he shares alot about his upbringing, family, loves & losses & yes the ruthlessness of the music industry & media. i am deeply touched that you think i am "the only person in the world " with the exception of the author " who doesn't see it as a " Bitch Fest " says alot about me then doesn't it?. Take the artiste as you find, he is genuinely humourous & writes as such. He isn't perfect but who is?. Just saying.

If you are so wonderful why do you feel the need to post on the internet that you "certainly do have " insight " & I am great at sussing people out".
Very embarrassing.

 

[Orson Swells]

What is quite clear from the parts I have read and the reviews I've read and the quotes I've seen is that Morrissey isn't a very nice fellow.

Most who think so (see BullyBoy, for example) aren't very nice fellows themselves. They blatantly project their own issues onto him.

Does this come as a great surprise? Well, no. Pretty much everyone, from journalists, to former fans, to former collaborators, to Morrissey himself, has said as much over the years. He was even described as 'the only truly evil man in music' by Tony Wilson.

"Truly evil"? What like Hitler? Or Charles Manson? A ridiculous statement. You do realise Tony was a bit of berk, don't you? The jealousy Morrissey inspires is quite incredible. In Manchester some folk will swear Clint Boon is the vastly superior talent.

Aside from Morrissey's personal qualities, the question is - is the book any good?

The body of opinion thus far seems to be a resounding 'NO!'

Aside from all the good reviews and the people who like it, of course.

Why are people so determined on a fan site to paint a man who's the focal point of that fan site in the worst light possible?

The people who do so have their various agendas and issues, of course.

Nobody's perfect by any stretch but you'd think Moz was Stalin, Pol Pot and Hitler rolled into one.

He's opinionated but ultimately nobody has died or been physically harmed by him.

Very true.

 

[Johnny Barleycorn]

Most who think so (see BullyBoy, for example) aren't very nice fellows themselves. They blatantly project their own issues onto him.



"Truly evil"? What like Hitler? Or Charles Manson? A ridiculous statement. You do realise Tony was a bit of berk, don't you? The jealousy Morrissey inspires is quite incredible. In Manchester some folk will swear Clint Boon is the vastly superior talent.



Aside from all the good reviews and the people who like it, of course.



The people who do so have their various agendas and issues, of course.



Very true.

He just uses (Utoya / Saldanha) their deaths to get column inches. He's a veritable saint.

 

[Orson Swells]

Re: Stephen Street hits out at "bitchy" Morrissey. Article / video interview via Hot Press

He just uses (Utoya / Saldanha) their deaths to get column inches. He's a veritable saint.

Yes, but that's splitting for effect. Not being a saint is a world away from being evil. There's plenty of room between those poles.

 

[jaclove]

If you are so wonderful why do you feel the need to post on the internet that you "certainly do have " insight " & I am great at sussing people out".
Very embarrassing.

Urm? At what point did i say i was so wonderful? Just asking? My post it note may be embarassing for you but not for me? What does your rude reaction to my opinion say about you? Just asking?

 

[jaclove]

Yeah but who are you fooling?

Your idol doesn't say they're "overweight". He writes miles nastier than that and he doesn't do that in passing either.

And "diddy" is one thing, but how about laughing on and on about calling you a "shortass", a "dwarf", a "midget", that "you didn't grow", or that you "need a toothpick as a walking stick", and below that? See the difference? Surely you will agree there are different levels and that some are abundantly in playground bullying territory.

As for the rest, I'm glad you're happy and independent.

Thanks Claude,

Sticks & stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me, i have heard all the above " shorty " names many times! It doesn't bother me, I know who i am & I stand more petite & younger looking than "Kylie" even at the age of 46! Just my opinion. Morrissey's autobiography is not nasty about people, he just dissects their appearance & personalities in a humourous way - what else do you expect of him? He thinks aloud, like we all do.

Have a good weekend, Debate is good.
Jacx

 

[Anonymous]

Morrissey's always conducted interviews as if he's walking down the street with an old friend, and that nobody can overhear him. Why would his writing be any different? Being bitchy is fun for all.

Its not that he is bitchy its that he is a disaster as a human being, I expect he claim his art makes up for it.
But lets be honest, he hasn't made art for years just the odd good pop tune.
Moz acts as if he got where he is on his own, without any help. The truth f***ing far from that fact. If it wasn't for johnny he wouldn't have got anywhere and he knows it. The man is so insecure, so full of self hatred and so far gone that there really is nothing more to him that celeb name dropping and trying show how popular he is.
What he says about Alain Whyte isn't funny, its aimed to be hurtful and considering Alain is the best co writer he has had (if not the best) he really should have more respect.
The book shows, apart from the odd flash, how utterly spent moz was by the late 90s, as any fan who isn't a die hard brain washed fan could tell by his records.
Alain is the only one outta the rockabilly lot i have respect for, I heard from a one of KY's friends that Kristeen used to boz he was a a drunken lump.
I thought what does she know, I think she was f***ing right now after seeing him. Alain by contrast apart from writing some of the better records of the solo years, lets face it Jesse is a midget joke, who writes to Morrissey fans on FaceBook and is yet to write a great song, has got out of the alcoholic gang and is doing nicely

 

[Charlie Cheswick]

Its not that he is bitchy its that he is a disaster as a human being, I expect he claim his art makes up for it.
But lets be honest, he hasn't made art for years just the odd good pop tune.
Moz acts as if he got where he is on his own, without any help. The truth f***ing far from that fact. If it wasn't for johnny he wouldn't have got anywhere and he knows it. The man is so insecure, so full of self hatred and so far gone that there really is nothing more to him that celeb name dropping and trying show how popular he is.
What he says about Alain Whyte isn't funny, its aimed to be hurtful and considering Alain is the best co writer he has had (if not the best) he really should have more respect.
The book shows, apart from the odd flash, how utterly spent moz was by the late 90s, as any fan who isn't a die hard brain washed fan could tell by his records.
Alain is the only one outta the rockabilly lot i have respect for, I heard from a one of KY's friends that Kristeen used to boz he was a a drunken lump.
I thought what does she know, I think she was f***ing right now after seeing him. Alain by contrast apart from writing some of the better records of the solo years, lets face it Jesse is a midget joke, who writes to Morrissey fans on FaceBook and is yet to write a great song, has got out of the alcoholic gang and is doing nicely

You've taken the criticism well then Alain?

 

[Peterb]

Urm? At what point did i say i was so wonderful? Just asking? My post it note may be embarassing for you but not for me? What does your rude reaction to my opinion say about you? Just asking?

Why do you need to ask?
I thought you had insight and are great at sussing people out.

 

[Anonymous]

Urm? At what point did i say i was so wonderful? Just asking? My post it note may be embarassing for you but not for me? What does your rude reaction to my opinion say about you? Just asking?

"Urm"?

You actually type sounds into a forum post?

Yeah sure, you should be taken seriously.

 

[Dusty]

He's laid it out over nearly 500 pages in his own hand. He must have read it himself and thought "This paints me in a good light."

This is the most disturbing aspect of the book. HE wrote it. The words are not from an interview in which he can say he was misquoted. The majority of it is full of venom and cruelty against others. But he is the victim, right?? I will remain a fan of his music from years ago, but I refuse to contribute to his pension fund any longer.

 

[Anonymous]

This is the most disturbing aspect of the book. HE wrote it. The words are not from an interview in which he can say he was misquoted. The majority of it is full of venom and cruelty against others. But he is the victim, right?? I will remain a fan of his music from years ago, but I refuse to contribute to his pension fund any longer.

Knowing me knowing you Dusty ! Ahaaaaaaaaaaa !
Not read it and won't even bother buying it in a charity shop now, he's just a B & T !
Bitter and twisted, he could have had it all, if he wanted to !
A failed "classic" author is how I remember him.

Benny-the-Butcher