UPDATE 10:38 p.m.: The latest in As The Moz Turns — Kristeen Young calls his accusations “lies.” Her statement in full is below; there will be a quiz on this tomorrow, bring your Number 2 pencils to class…
Ok. Regarding the recent True-to-you statement from Morrissey: I did not “confess to a horrendous cold”. On Monday, June 2nd, I had an allergy attack that was over within 16 hours. I went to a doctor (on Monday, June 2nd), an allergy specialist, who gave me drugs for allergies…and they worked. I explained this (early on Tuesday, June 3rd) and offered this doctor’s phone number to Morrissey personally, via email, and the tour manager, Donnie Knutson (for proof….since they seemed to doubt me).
But, they NEVER followed up with me or said doctor. Also….it is incorrect that I “decided to leave the tour completely”. I was asked to leave. Was called (in the presence of my band as witnesses) by Morrissey’s booking agent, Dave Tamaroff, and told that there would be a new support band in Boston.
I am very sorry that Morrissey is not feeling well. But I will not tolerate these lies….particularly about my health. This is really too much and bizarre.
Jeez Louise.
UPDATE 10:19 p.m.: Morrissey fan site True To You has some more information on Morrissey’s illness. The singer’s crew is apparently blaming opener Kristeen Young for getting Moz sick, but the band cites the Boston Opera House show as one of their best-ever.” Here’s the latest in Days Of Our Moz:
Morrissey announces the close down of the present U.S. tour with “unimaginable sorrow”.
On Saturday, June 7th, following the show at Boston Opera House, Morrissey collapsed and was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital where doctors treated Morrissey for “acute fever”. Difficulties had arisen on May 31st following Kristeen Young’s opening set at the Miami Knight Concert Hall, after which Kristeen confessed to “a horrendous cold”, the symptoms of which were passed on to Morrissey resulting in the cancellation of the next show in Atlanta.
For the good of all, Kristeen was asked to step down from the immediate upcoming shows, but instead she decided to leave the tour entirely. Morrissey and the band wish her well and hope she is now in good health.
Morrissey received medical attention in Miami, and once again in Boston, but it was not enough to shake off the virus, the recovery time for which is too lengthy to meet the final 9 shows of the tour.
Morrissey and the band are otherwise delighted and very grateful for their experiences on the U.S. tour, some shows of which they considered to be their best-ever, most notably:
1 BOSTON Opera House
2 LOS ANGELES Sports Arena
3 BEAUMONT Julie Rogers Theater
4 NASHVILLE Ryman Auditorium
5 MEMPHIS Orpheum Theater
Morrissey’s ongoing illness has forced the cancellation of the rest of his United States tour. The former Smiths singer performed Saturday night in Boston after cancelling a show last week in Atlanta and postponing a gig in Atlantic City. Now, after rescheduling gigs in Baltimore and D.C. this week, Moz has cancelled all of his nine remaining dates, including a massive June 21 show at the Barlclays Center in Brooklyn.
A respiratory infection is the culprit, troubling news for Morrissey as he prepares the release of his new record, World Peace Is None Of Your Business, out July 15.
Here’s the word, according to a private memo we just received [UPDATE: Moments after we posted this, the news became official via Morrissey’s Facebook]:
It is with great sadness that the remainder of the US Tour has been cancelled. The respiratory infection Morrissey contracted in Miami has worsened, and in the interest of making a full recovery, all further touring plans have been halted. Morrissey thanks his fans for their compassion, understanding, and well-wishes during this difficult period as he recuperates.
The affected dates are:
June 13 Chicago, IL – Civic Opera House
June 14 Flint, MI – James Whiting Auditorium
June 16 Lewiston, NY – Artpark Main Stage Theater
June 17 Wilmington, DE – Grand Opera House
June 19 Hershey, PA – Hershey Theatre
June 21 New York, NY – Barclays Center
June 22 Atlantic City, NJ – Revel Ovation Hall
June 24 Baltimore, MD – Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
June 25 Washington, DC – Lincoln Theatre