Morrissey Offers Rights to The Smiths‘ Business Interests for Sale
Morrissey has put his business interests relating to The Smiths up for sale ”to any interested party,” according to a recent post on his website, The Red Hand Files. The move comes amid ongoing difficulties releasing his latest solo album, Bonfire of Teenagers, and follows a period of professional upheaval for the singer.
The sale includes MorrisseyS share of the trademark for the band’s name. A dispute over the trademark arose when Johnny Marr registered it independently, leading to an agreement with Morrissey’s lawyers for joint ownership “for the mutual benefit of Morrissey and Marr.” In January 2024,Marr signed an assignment transferring joint ownership to Morrissey,but the document remains unsigned by the latter.
Morrissey clarified he has no plans to tour under The Smiths name with a different singer and rejected an offer from Warner Music Group to release another Smiths compilation, citing the existing number of compilations.
The singer’s current predicament may stem from unsuccessful attempts to reform The smiths and challenges surrounding Bonfire of Teenagers.Morrissey previously stated he was “gagged” regarding the album’s title track, which addresses the 2017 terrorist attack at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. He has been performing the song as 2022, featuring lyrics referencing the Oasis song “Don’t Look Back in Anger” and concluding with the line “go easy on the killer.”
Morrissey was dropped by BMG in November 2020, attributing the split to the label’s focus on “diversity.” BMG declined to comment on whether this was related to his controversial statements. Bonfire of Teenagers was completed in May 2021, and a deal with Capitol Records initially aimed for a February 2023 release. However, Morrissey claimed he ”voluntarily” left capitol and his management at the end of 2022, alleging the label was withholding the record. He stated in April 2024 that he had repurchased the rights to the album, but that “every major label in London” had refused it, despite calling it “a masterpiece.” He has described the album as “the best album of my life” and suggested efforts to suppress it demonstrate it’s power.
