Morrissey

1980s indie band The Smiths imploded in '87 when frontman Morrissey decided to venture out on his own. With his singles 'Suedehead', 'Everyday Is Like Sunday' and 'Last of the Famous International Playboys', he paved the way for steady chart success with albums 'Viva Hate' (1988) and 'Vauxhall and I' (1994) both making it to number one in the UK.

Dogged by controversy, legal battles and a general shift in style, by 1998 he had become an industry pariah unable to secure a record deal. However, with 'You Are the Quarry' (2004) he marked a fine return to form, led by the hit singles 'Irish Blood, English Heart' and 'First of the Gang to Die'. He gave his first TV interview in 17 years on 'Friday Night With Jonathan Ross' and earned himself a new generation of listeners. His eighth album 'Ringleader of the Tormentors' arrived in 2006 and debuted at number one in the UK Albums Chart, confirming his position in the industry.

After leaving behind Sanctuary Records and moving to Decca, Morrissey put together an album of greatest hits and released 'That's How People Grow Up' as a single. It reached number 14 in the UK and the album made number five. Follow-up albums included 'Years of Refusal' (2009) which reached number three in the UK Albums Chart and later 'World Peace Is None of Your Business' in 2014 which reached number two.

In 2013 he had to cancel a series of concerts after being hospitalised with a stomach ulcer. Following this he contracted pneumonia and returned home to recuperate. He released his memoirs titled 'Autobiography' in 2013 and also turned his hand to novel writing, having his first book 'List of the Lost' published in 2015. In 2017 he released his eleventh studio album 'Low in High School' and announced a world tour, starting and ending in the UK. A biopic of his life starring Jack Lowden was also released in 2017 chronicling his early adulthood prior to his success with The Smiths. 2019 saw the release of his 12th album 'California Son' featuring singles 'It's Over', 'Morning Starship' and 'Wedding Bell Blues'.

Morrissey's 13th studio album, 'I Am Not a Dog On a Chain', arrived in 2020. It includes the singles 'Bobby, Don't You Think They Know?' featuring Thelma Houston and 'Love Is On Its Way Out'.