The legendary singer has announced that he is selling all his participation in the band’s rights, seeking to disassociate himself from his former tracers
THE HISTORY OF Smiths It is a tale of glory and disagreements, but it seems that the book is about to be closed for good. Morrisseythe iconic lead singer of the Manchester band, announced that he is putting for sale “all his commercial interests” in the group, in an offer that includes from the name of the band to the recording and publication rights. The decision, revealed in a post entitled “Soul for Sale” (A soul for sale) On its official website, it marks what seems to be the final chapter of its long and tumultuous relationship with the old colleagues, Johnny Marr and Mike Joyce.
The announcement is a culmination of years of tensions and public disputes among the band’s remaining members. In your statement, Morrissey not spared words, claiming to be “exhausted by all and all connections with Marr, Rust, Joyce“He claims that associations have become” malicious, “generating a constant” revulsion “over the years. According to him, the only solution to” dissociating those who only desire me evil “is to sell their participation.
See this photo on InstagramA publication shared by Morrissey (@morrisseyofficial)
The offer is complex and somewhat controversial. Morrissey It claims to have to sell the rights to the band’s name, album art, merchandising, musical and lyrical compositions, synchronization rights and recordings. However, music market experts warn that reality is more complicated. The vocalist is not the only holder of these rights; It divides 50% of compositions with Johnny Marrand the recordings belong to a larger seal. Marreven, had already registered the brand “The Smiths” in 2018 to protect it from third parties, even offering copiparity to Morrisseywho refused to sign the agreement.
The decision of Morrissey arrives at a moment of uncertainty in his solo career, with his new album, Bonfire of Teenagersstill without launch and without a seal to distribute it. The singer publicly complained about being “boycotted” by the industry. The sale of your participation in Smiths It can be seen both as a financial desperation movement and a genuine attempt to break free from what it considers a toxic past.
Regardless of the reason, Morrissey’s offer highlights the problematic nature of the legacy of Smiths. One of the most influential catalogs in British music, which in a “perfect world” was worth tens of millions of dollars, now carries the weight of decades of animosity.
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Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
