Morrissey claims he was gagged by idiot culture over controversial album about Manchester Arena terror attack
Morrissey has claimed he is being gagged by idiot culture as the long-standing row over his controversial 14th solo album Bonfire of Teenagers drags on into a fourth year.
Morrissey has claimed he is being gagged by idiot culture as the long-standing row over his controversial 14th solo album Bonfire of Teenagers drags on into a fourth year.
The singer and former Smiths members latest collection is titled after the 2017 Manchester Area terror attack at an Ariana Grande concert, which led to the deaths of 22 people and left another 1,000 injured.
The 65-year-olds song on the subject speaks of a fan being vapourised and features a lengthy coda: Go easy on the killer.
Since completing the album in 2020, Morrissey has failed to have it released by a record label and has become embroiled in an ongoing fight in which he accused bosses of sabotage.
Speaking to the Telegraph, hes now claimed he is being gagged and the UK is in the grip of Idiot Culture - but refuses to consider releasing the record himself.
Morrissey, 65, has claimed he is being gagged by what he calls Idiot Culture as he struggles to get any record company to back his controversial album
The title track of the Bonfire of Teenagers album was written about the Manchester Arena terror attack in 2017, which killed 22 people (Pictured: The victims of the attack)
The attack led to an outpouring of grief across the UK, and Mancunians adopted Oasiss track Dont Look Back in Anger as a show of solidarity
As well as making an appeal on behalf of the suicide bomber Salman Abedi, the title track slams morons for adopting Oasiss Dont Look Back in Anger as a sign of grief and solidarity in the aftermath of the attack.
And the morons sing and sway: Dont Look Back in Anger, I can assure you I will look back in anger til the day I die, Morrisseys lyrics read.
After signing a deal with Capitol Records in 2021, he parted ways with the label in December 2022 and later accused them of sabotage, claiming they were refusing to release the album or return the rights to him.
Morrissey - who has previously expressed sympathy for far-right thug Tommy Robinson after he was jailed for contempt of court - said at the time: Although Morrissey officially signed to Capitol Records Los Angeles, there has been no mention of Morrissey on Capitols website or on their Artists roster.
Morrissey has said that although he does not believe that Capitol Records in Los Angeles signed Bonfire of Teenagers in order to sabotage it, he is quickly coming around to that belief.
Now he has refused to remove the track from the album, claiming genuine artists are being held hostage in England.
Morrissey has refused to remove the track from the album, claiming genuine artists are being held hostage in England
Lead singer of the Smiths Morrissey (second left, pictured with band mates Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce and Andy Rourke) previously expressed sympathy for far-right thug Tommy Robinson after he was jailed for contempt of court
Miley Cyrus (pictured) had provided backing vocals to one of the tracks on the album, but has since asked for them to be removed
Armed police were scrambled to the scene of the Manchester terror attack on May 22, 2017
Police officers assist traumatised concert attendees after a suicide bomber launched an attack at the Ariana Grande concert in 2017
Sniffer dogs and armed officers stand guard around the arena in the aftermath of the attack, which injured 1,017 people and killed 22 others
After eventually buying the album back from Capitol, he told the Telegraph that every major label in London has refused to release it.
He added there is nothing antagonistic in the title track, but reignited a long-running feud with the Guardian as he accused label bosses of being worried that The Guardian would make their lives hell if they supported him.
The album had been said to feature collaborations with punk legend Iggy Pop and half of rock band Red Hot Chilli Peppers, as well as featuring backing vocals from US legend Miley Cyrus.
But Cyrus - who is a long-time Smiths fan - is understood to have since asked for her vocals to be removed from the track, I Am Veronica.
Leaked emails suggested this could be a result of Morrissey announcing her involvement against the wishes of her team. Morrissey claimed it was the result of a clash with someone behind the scenes.
The singer has become known for his online rants and strong opinions in recent years.
Morrissey said there is nothing antagonistic in the title track, which calls Mancunians morons and speaks of a fan being vapourised
The 2017 terror attack happened at the end of an Ariana Grande concert (Pictured: Ariana Grande attends the 2024 Met Gala)
Last year he accused Capitol of hypocrisy after it refused to release his album, but continued to release music by non-binary singer Sam Smith.
Morrissey accused the artist of satanism after they sang at the Grammy awards while wearing devil horns.
Just two weeks ago, he claimed on his official Facebook page that he had been approached, alongside Johnny Marr, to reunite the Smiths for a 2025 world tour.
He said he had accepted the offer, but his former bandmate had ignored it. It came days after Oasis announced their own plans to reunite for a UK tour in 2025.
The singer said in a statement: WAR IS OLD, ART IS YOUNG. In June 2024 AEG Entertainment Group made a lucrative offer to both Morrissey and Marr to tour worldwide as The Smiths throughout 2025.
Morrissey said Yes to the offer; Marr ignored the offer.
Morrissey undertakes a largely sold out tour of the USA in November. Marr continues to tour as a special guest to New Order.
