It’s been a rough few weeks for one Steven Patrick Morrissey. After first clashing with bands PAWS and We Are Scientists over potential sound issues in a California live music complex, the former Smiths singer shocked absolutely no one by first cancelling an Atlanta gig and postponing a show in Atlantic City last week before nixing his remaining tour dates. Boston was treated to a show at the Opera House on Saturday, but the singer was fell ill and was reportedly taken to Mass General. Then, Tuesday night, a public dispute arose between the Mozzer and his opening act, Kristeen Young, over the source of the illness that has been causing the cancellations.
Now, a petition by Baeble Music is looking to ban the singer from ever performing again in the United States. The campaign was launched yesterday via We The People, and we’re sure President Obama will be right on this.
“Morrissey’s less-than laudable attendance history isn’t just a recent anomaly,” Baeble writes. “He hasn’t had a tardy-free tour in over 12 years. For any other hard-working, touring musician, cancelling a show is as difficult as breaking up with your gym — natural disasters and/or death…that’s what it takes. Morrissey’s tours, however, which annually fill major national venues, can be wiped out entirely by a devastating cold…somebody should put the grouchy old grey fox in a bubble.”
Damn.
Then, the site breaks down some good ol’ fashioned numbers for Mozzer’s recent performance record, and much like in sports, the numbers don’t lie:
The Stats
2002: 5 Cancellations
2003: No Tour
2004: 10 Cancellations
2005: No Tour
2006: 5 Cancellations
2007: 7 Cancellations, 2 Postponed
2008: 2 Cancellations
2009: 9 Cancellations, 11 Postponed
2010: No Tour
2011: 3 Cancellations, 1 Postponed
2012: 3 Cancellations, 24 Postponed
2013: 42 Cancellations, 18 Postponed
2014: 10 Cancellations, 3 Postponed
It goes on…
“Morrissey has bailed on 96 shows in the past 12 years. With a well below-average attendance of approximately 15,000 people at Morrissey-frequented venues, that’s roughly 1.5 million people he’s pissed off over the past decade.”
Luckily, they don’t believe this will gain much traction.
“We don’t believe this sure-to-be fruitless joke petition will have any impact whatsoever, but maybe you will all prove us wrong.”