Morrissey

**Steven Patrick Morrissey** (born 22 May 1959), known by the stage name of **Morrissey** from his surname, is an English musician, singer and songwriter. He helped form and sang lead for the English band The Smiths from 1982 to 1987. After the band's breakup, he went on to become a successful solo artist. Morrissey has had many Top 10 hits. In 2013 Morrissey released his autobiography. Morrissey is known for his support of animal rights.

## Early life

Born at Park Hospital in Davyhulme, Morrissey grew up as a Catholic as his parents were Irish Catholic immigrants. His parents had emigrated to England just before Morrissey's birth and, along with his only sibling (elder sister Jackie) they created a new life for themselves within the Manchester district of Hulme.

## The Smiths

The Smiths were formed in early 1982 by Morrissey and John Maher, a guitarist and songwriter, Maher later changed his surname to Marr to avoid confusion with the Buzzcocks drummer. During the five years of The Smiths, Marr and Morrissey produced four studio album<nowiki/>s, one live album as well as nineteen single<nowiki/>s, along with the two other band members, bass player Andy Rourke and drummer Mike Joyce.

Each of their four albums The Smiths, Meat Is Murder, The Queen Is Dead and Strangeways, Here We Come were in the top two of the UK Albums Chart, with Meat Is Murder was number one. Their live album Rank also peaked at number two in the album charts. To date seven compilation albums have been produced with an eighth due for release.

## Solo career

Following the split of The Smiths, Morrissey  produced and released nine studio albums under five different music labels. His ninth album, Years of Refusal, was released on 16 February 2009. The album got good reviews from music critics.

### Solo discography

- _Viva Hate_ (1988)
- _Bona Drag_ (1990)
- _Kill Uncle_ (1991)
- _Your Arsenal_ (1992)
- _Vauxhall and I_ (1994)
- _Southpaw Grammar_ (1995)
- _Maladjusted_ (1997)
- _You Are the Quarry_ (2004)
- _Ringleader of the Tormentors_ (2006)
- _Years of Refusal_ (2009)
- "World Peace Is None of Your Business" (2014)
- "Low In High School" (2017)

## Personal life

Morrissey has been vegetarian since he was 11 years old.

### Health

In early 2013, Morrissey was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer. In March 2013, he had double pneumonia. In June 2014, he had a respiratory infection. In October 2014, he said that he had treatment for cancer.

## Infobox (musical artist)

- **img**: Morrissey Live at SXSW Austin in March 2006.jpg
- **img capt**: Morrisey, the lead singer of The Smiths in 2007
- **name**: Morrissey
- **background**: solo_singer
- **birth name**: Steven Patrick Morrissey
- **birth place**: Davyhulme, Lancashire, England
- **genre**: Alternative rock
- **instrument**: Vocals
- **occupation**: Musician, Singer, vocalist, lyricist
- **years active**: 1978–present
- **label**: 1982–1987: Rough Trade Records, Rough Trade/Sire Records, Sire
1988–1994: HMV/Sire Records, Sire
1995: RCA/Reprise Records, Reprise
1997: Mercury Records, Mercury
2003–2007: Attack Records (UK), Attack/Sanctuary Records, Sanctuary
2007– : Decca Records, Decca
- **associated acts**: The Smiths
The Nosebleeds
Slaughter & the Dogs
- **url**: [http://www.itsmorrisseysworld.com It's Morrissey's World]