Morrissey

In recent years, indie music around the world has experienced a huge boon and reached a much broader audience. While mainstream indie groups are becoming more and more innovative, they are simply building on the musical and cultural legacy build by Morrissey. His tour dates have attracted sold-out audiences around the world, and continue to do so to this day. During his time with The Smiths and in his own solo career, Morrissey has written and performed dozens and dozens of hit songs. Some of these songs can be found on his most recent Very Best of Morrissey album and on the handful of remaining tour dates in 2011.

Steven Patrick Morrissey was born in Davyhulme, Urmston, Lancashire, England just a year after his parents emigrated from Ireland. He was often a withdrawn child and took solace in pop music and its stars, writing NME (who he would later be interviewed by) and becoming the president of the New York Dolls and The Cramps UK fan clubs. Morrissey spent his later teen years playing in punk bands and publishing two books (one about the New York Dolls and the other about James Dean).

In 1982, Morrissey met Johnny Marr and the two began writing songs together. They eventually decided to form a band, bringing on Mike Joyce to play drums and Andy Rourke to play bass. After releasing a few marginally successful singles, The Smiths released their eponymous debut album in 1984 to acclaim from audiences and critics. By the time The Queen Is Dead in 1986, recording and numerous tour dates in the US and the UK began to take its toll, with Marr leaving in 1987 due to exhaustion and creative differences with Morrissey. The Smiths disbanded shortly after the release of Strangeways, Here We Come in 1988, and Morrissey's first solo album, Viva Hate was released six months later.

After years of extensive tour dates and hit singles, Morrissey released the hugely successful album, Vauxhall and I, in 1994. The somber album was inspired by the death of a few friends, including Mick Ronson. Morrissey's career was in a bit of a slump as he entered the new millennium; that all changed with the release of You Are the Quarry. Critics claimed that the album harkened back to his classic solo work, and the single "Irish Blood, English Heart" became popular around the world. He followed up the album with the hit record, Ringleader of the Tormentors, in 2006, which was followed by numerous tour dates and television appearances. Morrissey scored another hit with Years of Refusal, which continued the musician's successful comeback.

While Morrissey has new album to promote this year, he does have a few remaining tour dates in 2011. The concert dates are centered in the UK and include stops in Dunoon, Hawick, Grimsby, and Dunfermline. Morrissey's 2011 tour dates will end on July 1 in Plymouth, so be sure to buy your tickets on Eventful soon!