There’s been a lot of hot air being blown around over this tabloid article from the UK’s Daily Mirror: Morrissey and Johnny Marr heal rift raising hopes of a Smiths reunion. But come on. Look at the content, and you’ll see this is all silly speculation:
Singer Morrissey, 49, and guitarist Johnny Marr, 45, are said to have healed their bitter rift and are now regularly in touch with each other.
One source said yesterday: “The very fact they are talking again is the most hopeful thing in years. The industry has been buoyant with talk of them getting back together.
“A lot of people think of them as the best thing since the Beatles. They’d fill stadiums many times over.”
We’d love to see it. But it’s not going to happen. Johnny Marr just joined the Cribs, for one thing, and they’re going on tour next year. Plus, Morrissey very publicly loathes Smiths drummer Mike Joyce, who sued Morrissey and Marr in 1996 over profits from the Smiths, and was awarded over £1 million in back pay. And without Joyce and bassist Andy Rourke, it’s not the Smiths. It would be cool to see Morrissey and Marr together, but it wouldn’t be the Smiths.
Not to mention the fact that Morrissey has said, “I would rather eat my own testicles than reform The Smiths, and that’s saying something for a vegetarian.”
Ever notice how these kinds of headline-grabbing rumors start up every time somebody’s got a new album to promote?
MP3: The Smiths – “Rusholme Ruffians” (courtesy of Rhino, but not included on The Sound of the Smiths: review.)
And yet, so many “never goona happen” reunions have come together in the last couple of years. I doubt it would be all four Smiths, but Morrissey/Marr? I can see it.
Joyce and Rourke are not needed for a “Smiths” reunion concert, tour, etc.
Unlike Morrissey’s vocals and Marr’s riffs, any stupid fucker can play the bass line or hit the drums to most of their tunes.
Call the tour “Morrissey/Marr” and the same freaks will go ape shit crazy to see them. Isn’t that all we’ve ever cared about anyway?
Someone clearly has not listened to the bassline on “Girlfriend in a Coma” or the drums on “The Queen is Dead” in a while.
I’d certainly be one of the freaks lining up just to see Morrissey and Marr but a Smiths reunion would require all four members, regardless of what the original record contract says.
Come on, Derek. Do you really mean to tell me that hiring a stand-in to play bass on a tour would be much different than having the original rhythm section on stage? I’m not talking about paying some nobody by the hour to tour.
I have a feeling that if M/M went on tour they would have their pick of many choice bass players and drummers. I bet a lot of very talented rock stars would tour with them for free just to be part of it.
Personally, I’d like to see either Gene Simmons or Lemmy on bass.
Or Flea!
Still wouldn’t be the Smiths is all I am saying.
Update: Johnny Marr says, “The stories circulating about a Smiths reunion are, as usual, untrue.”
And: “I’m currently very excited about writing and recording with The Cribs for a new album to be released next summer and we’re playing shows in February, so going back in time isn’t in my plans.”