Morrissey wrote an open letter to former bandmate Johnny Marr, asking him to “stop using my name as an agitator” in interviews and “move on”.
The pair, who together with bassist Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce formed the influential Manchester rock band The Smiths, had a non-existent relationship following the band’s breakup in 1987, but have seen each other in the press ever since.
In the letter, which was published on Morrissey Central, Morrissey wrote, “This is not a swear word or a bomb hysteria. It was a polite request and measured calmly: Would you please stop mentioning my name in your interviews? ”
“Would you please discuss your own career, unstoppable solo achievements, and your own music instead? If possible, could you please forgive me? ”
Morrissey continued quite flamboyantly: “The fact is: you don’t know me. You know nothing about my life, my intentions, my thoughts, my feelings. Yet you speak as if you were my personal therapist with your ability to approach my instincts consistently and without interruption. “
“We haven’t known each other for 35 years – that’s many previous lives. When we met you and I did not succeed. We both helped each other become whatever they are today. Can you not leave it there? Have to persevere, year after year, decade after decade, blaming me for everything. ”
Hours after the letter was posted, Marr hit back on Twitter, “An ‘open letter’ hasn’t really been a thing since 1953, It’s all ‘social media’ now. Even Donald J Trump has been disappointed. Also, this fake news business… a little in 2021? #Makingindiegreatagain”
Marr, who is currently promoting his latest album Fever dreams Pt 1-4is often asked about Morrissey, especially in recent years following a number of racist controversies involving singer and defender Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein over sexual assault allegations, with Guitarists often give the same answer that the two are not close and are very different.
