Morrissey feels the heat, whether it is true or not. His former Smiths bandmates are trying to tear him down, he thinks. Is that true? Maybe or maybe not, and we likely will never know.
One thing we can be certain of, however, is that the Smiths are never never ever getting back together. Other bands might get back together, break up again, and then get back together. The Smiths have been true to their word. When they were done, they were finished.
Morrissey doubled down on the subject on his website on Wednesday when he offered to sell his share of the Smiths' future royalties, at least that is how it appears, on his website. He also stated his relationships with the other members of the band (guitarist Johnny Marr, drummer Mike Joyce, and late bassist Andy Rourke) ended long ago.
Morrissey appears to sell his stake in the Smiths to anyone who might want it
Morrissey wrote, "I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce. I have had enough of malicious associations. 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...I must now protect myself, especially my health."
Above the post is a sentence that states the singer has no choice but to offer to sell his business interests to anyone, and that includes the name of the band, all the songs, all the recordings, and merchandising rights, among other items. Does this mean you, dear reader, could buy the stuff?
Maybe, but maybe not. You might not want to. The truth is that there will likely be loads of legal hurdles to jump over should a person truly want to purchase what Morrissey's website is sort of offering. The purchase might not be worth it.
Of course, you would have the residuals from royalties every year, and could add more Smiths songs to the cultural zeitgeist. Would you want Morrissey and Marr to be too much a part of an eroding musical scene? Maybe.