Not one to keep thoughts to himself, Morrissey stirred up controversy last year when he compared airport security in San Francisco to ‘ISIS’. This isn’t the first time Morrissey has dished out a tongue-lashing to anyone in his ever-expanding crosshairs however. Here are some of his most savage put-downs to date…
The Cure:
The Cure: “Robert Smith is a whingebag.” NME, 1984.
Bob Geldof & Band Aid:
Bob Geldof & Band Aid: “Bob Geldof is a nauseating character. Band Aid was the most self-righteous platform ever in the history of popular music.” Radio 2, 1985.
Dance Music:
Dance Music: “It’s the refuge for the mentally deficient. It’s made by dull people for dull people.” Details, 1982.
Madonna:
Madonna: “Madonna reinforces everything absurd and offensive. Desperate womanhood. Madonna is closer to organized prostitution than anything else.” 1997.
Elton John:
Elton John: “Bring me the head of Elton John…which is one instance in which meat would not be murder, if it were served on a plate.” The Importance of Being Morrisey, 2002.
The Royals:
The Royals: “The ‘dazzling royals’ have, quite naturally, hijacked the Olympics for their own empirical needs, and no oppositional voice is allowed in the free press. It is lethal to witness.” True To You, 2012.
The Beckhams:
The Beckhams: “I’d… have the Peckhams (Beckhams) dragged to the edge of the village and flogged because they are insufferable to anyone of intelligence, and they actively chase the paparazzi.” Loaded, 2013
Kate Middleton after the death of her nurse in hospital:
Kate Middleton after the death of her nurse in hospital: “She feels no shame about the death of this woman. She’s saying nothing about the death of this poor woman. The arrogance of the British royals is staggering, absolutely staggering; and why it’s allowed to be I don’t know.”
Denmark:
Denmark: “Denmark is sadly a hellish place if you happen to be a pig, but the brioche and fruits that tower on the table before me have me hastily attaching a feedbag.” Autobiography, 2013
Oasis:
Oasis: “They are very tame to me. God bless Noel, I’m sure he’ll always have a spot on ‘Bob’s Full House’, but I search for something with more bite and rage.”
Vic Reeves:
Vic Reeves: “If I met Vic Reeves, I’d have no desire other than to smack him in the face.” Q Magazine, 1994.
Beyonce:
Beyonce: “The rhino is now more or less extinct, and it’s not because of global warming or shrinking habitats. It’s because of Beyonce’s handbags.” On stage in Los Angeles, 2013
Richard Madeley:
Richard Madeley: “He referred to me as an ‘insufferable puffed-up prat’. This is a bit rich coming from a man who actually married his own mother.” 2011
The Ramones:
The Ramones: “The Ramones have absolutely nothing to add that is of relevance or importance and should be rightly filed and forgotten.” Letter to Melody Maker, 1976.
Kate Bush:
Kate Bush: “Do you really like Kate Bush? I’m not surprised. The nicest thing I could say about her is that she’s unbearable. That voice! Such trash! You’ll learn, Sonny.” Letter to a pen pal, 1980.
Mike Joyce:
Mike Joyce: “I have so much pride and love for the songs of The Smiths. However, I must ask you, if you come across any Smiths CDs, don’t buy them because all the money goes to that wretched drummer.” On stage in Edinburgh, 2008.
Aerosmith:
Aerosmith: “Aerosmith are one of those American dance-a-rama scenic bands with enough punch to see the Stones on pensions and enough make-up to last them through the winter. Their music is that of a confused struggle, with vocalist Steven Tyler sounding as though he is using the microphone to brush his teeth.” Melody Maker, 1975
