Buying a ticket to a Morrissey concert remains a dicey proposition, with the latest mishap coming Monday night in Tucson, Ariz., as the former Smiths singer left the stage with vocal issues during the night’s sixth song — leaving fans far short of a full show.
According to the Arizona Daily Star, Morrissey had complained of vocal problems, at one point saying, “It seems I have left half my mouth in Guadalajara,” in reference to the singer’s recent concerts in Mexico. “But I will stand here and I will sing, and, if necessary, I will drop dead.”
Morrissey performed “Suedehead,” “Alma Matters,” “When Last I Spoke To Carol,” “Speedway” and “Staircase At The University” before he slipped off stage during “Everyday is Like Sunday.” After the house music came back on, keyboard player Gustavo Manzur emerged, saying, “His voice is shot. You heard it, you heard it. He’s been trying, trying really hard. He came out, he tried. His voice is really shot. We’re sorry. He’s sorry. You know he tried.” (See video below.)
The concert’s promoter, according to the Tucson newspaper, is trying to negotiate a rescheduled concert.
Monday night’s ill-fated performance comes after a series of cancellations during Morrissey’s U.S. tour late last year, including a concert in Boulder, Colo., that wasn’t scrubbed until after the venue had filled with fans (in that case Manzur, the keyboardist, had fallen ill).
Morrissey’s tour is slated to resume Wednesday night at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas — one of several concerts that were canceled twice last year.
Below, see video of Moz walking off during “Everyday is Like Sunday,” and some of the preceding songs, too. His voice sounds particularly off in the performance of “Staircase at the University.”
“Everyday is Like Sunday” + exit stage right
“Staircase at the University”
“Alma Matters”
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Pathetic.
I was there and it was far from pathetic. But it was sad. Sad for him and sad for the audience that just stood there in disbelief. He usually doesn’t quit in the middle of a show. He usually just cancels them when he’s ill. He has not been in good health for years. I wouldn’t be surprised if he retires soon. At least I got to see him for 17 minutes.
It happens and he’s human. Look no further than to J. Geils to see musicians are mortal. Non-story.
If everyone in that crowd didn’t get a refund on the way out, then f**k Morrissey.
Time for Moz to hang it up.
I saw him at Coachella in ’09 and even then he clearly seemed like he was not interested in playing. The Smiths did put on a great show in Berkeley in August of 1986, however. Maybe Johnny was more of the “professional musician” type in that outfit.
The folks of Tucson will take this kind of abuse and ask for more, that city is pathetic. I know because I live there.
I actually meant ‘pathetic’ in just that way: sad, not risible.
Give the guy a break. Shit happens and he is a human. I give him credit for not just pushing along and singing like shit. Probably wants people to have a proper show and hear him how he’s meant to sing. Saw him at Red Rocks a couple years back and his show was amazing. Anyone hating is a fool. What’s pathetic is a lack of empathy.
No, he is actually pathetic. IF you can’t consistently perform then don’t go on tour. It’s pretty simple. He treats his fans like shit time and time again. I was once a big Smiths fan, saw the Meat is Murder tour, but now I can’t stand even listening to his voice. If he actually refunded all those fans who paid and made the trek there, then that would be a different story. Did anyone get their money back from this shit show?
i’m not a huge fan of him, but I loved when he wanted no meat to be served during riot fest? correct? I think that was the festival, some people were mad, but seriously, I loved it. 15 years without meat for me and love to see someone with some power in the music world get that kind of demand to work.
He’s recovering from throat cancer. The disease and the surgery tear you up.