Morrissey prepares for latest visit
He never made it to Greece as frontman of the iconic pop-rock band the Smiths in the 1980s, but Morrissey has visited the country as a solo performer in more recent years. For his latest visit, Morrissey has been booked for one show in Athens on November 25 at the Olympic tae kwon do center in Faliron, southern Athens. One of pop’s most distinctive figures, renowned both for his unique vocal delivery and mocking lyrics, Morrissey first performed in Athens back in 1999, long after the Smiths put out their final studio album, 1987’s superb «Strangeways Here We Come.» Though his legend has never faded, Morrissey last performed here as an artist without a without a record contract, late in 2002. It was not long after he and Smiths guitarist/songwriter Johnny Marr were successfully taken to court by their former Smiths bandmates over unpaid fees. Though the several solo albums delivered by Morrissey at a relatively steady rate since the demise of the iconic 80s band have lacked the magic conjured up by the Smiths, the defunct group’s former frontman has continued to draw a major following. In the US, where the Smiths were confined to cult status during their brief yet incredible five-year spell, Morrissey’s popularity has exceeded that of his previous band. At home in the UK, both Morrissey and the Smiths remain popular. Highlighting the impact of both in contemporary music, a poll conducted by the influential British music publication NME a few years ago had declared Morrissey and the Smiths as the most influential pop act of all time, with the Beatles placed second on the list. On this latest forthcoming visit, Morrissey will be touring with fresh material from a recent album, «Ringleaders of the Tormentors,» the follow-up to 2004’s «You Are the Quarry.» Morrissey had launched his solo career with «Viva Hate,» released just a year after his band’s final album. Tickets, priced at 45 euros (advance purchases) and 50 euros on the door (subject to availability), are on sale at Metropolis music stores, the Tickethouse agency in Athens (42 Panepistimiou), and online at www.i-ticket.gr.
