Morrissey Offers To Sell His Business Interests In The Smiths ‘To Any Interested Party’
Morrissey said that he’s “burnt out” by any connections to his former The Smiths bandmates.
Morrissey performing in Sydney (Credit: Clare Hawley)
Morrissey has stated that he has “no choice” but to sell his business interests in The Smiths “to any interested party/investor.”
The singer made the announcement on his website and on social media on Wednesday (3 September), with a post titled A Soul To Sell.
In a statement, Morrissey said that he’s “burnt out” by any connections to his former The Smiths bandmates, Johnny Marr, Mike Joyce, and Andy Rourke, who passed away in 2023
“I have had enough of malicious associations,” he wrote. “With my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images. I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution.”
He continued, “The songs are me - they are no one else - but they bring with them business communications that go to excessive lengths to create as much dread and spite year after year. I must now protect myself, especially my health.”
So, without further ado, Morrissey added that “any serious investors” should email eaves7760@gmail.com if they’re interested in accessing the singer’s “full and exclusive” rights to the following:
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1. The name 'The Smiths', as created by Morrissey.
2. All Smiths artwork, as created by Morrissey.
3. All Smiths merchandising rights.
4. All Smiths songs lyrically / musically.
5. All synchronisation rights.
6. All Smiths recordings.
7. All contractual rights for Smiths publishing.
What could make Morrissey’s selling his business interests in the band more complicated? Johnny Marr owns 50% of the rights to The Smiths. The guitarist stated last year that, in January 2024, he signed an “assignment of joint ownership to Morrissey” and that the pair also registered the band’s trademark “for the mutual benefit of Morrissey & Marr.”
Earlier this year, Marr was asked about the 2024 news of an alleged reunion offer for The Smiths, especially in the wake of fellow Mancunians Oasis enjoying their highly anticipated global reformation tour.
“We got made an offer really recently, but I said no,” he said. It was a little bit about principles, but I’m not an idiot, I just think the vibe’s not right.” He also admitted that the band were offered “an eye-watering amount of money.”
Marr also reflected on the group’s initial breakup, explaining that their split was a necessity and a decision that he feels proud to have made.
“It was untenable really,” he said of the band’s fraught relationship at the time. “And it wasn’t really an impulsive decision either.”
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