It makes me crazy that so many in this country feel that if an opinon any different than their own is expressed, it's not only wrong, but absolutely unpatriotic. I really feel expressing opinons that are contrary to our current regime takes more guts and exhibits more of a love of freedom than towing the party line.

These are the same people who will rush to tell you that our men and women are fighting for our "freedom."
Well if that's freedom, whats the alternative?
Cause I choose that.

I wouldn't want to play there either, if stupid people were threatening to kill me. Don't blame Moz, blame your fellow Texas who were making death threats for simply making a political statement. Come on people! Everybody has a right to their own views and shouldn't be threatened for making them apparent. Moz Rocks!!! Go Kerry!!!

Death threats my ass!!! I dont doubt that some stupid right wing Texan would threat MOZ, but he should stand for what he said and stated...
Dont be a pussy MOZ, you could get better security to protect you and still perform at the people that were really expecting you to show up...

You are acting just as Bush want Americans to act and to be: AFRAID!!!

Why dont you show George W that you are not afraid of the threats?? We would go there and support you.

America please stand up and dont be afraid of lunatics, Live please....

I've read the reviews and I don't see anything.

btw, this looks like opinion rather than news to me.

Is this the same Morrissey who jested "I smell assassination in the air" before going on stage at the Royal Albert Hall?

No wonder Morrissey doesn't acknowledge this site when you get speculation like this put up as news items.

Just reschedule it as you would on the West Coast. That would definitely calm my suspicions.

anyone can transcrible exactly what he said. from what i gather, it doesn't sound like anything but your garden variety bush bashing and mild at that. that or someone in last night's audience is really sensitive.

They cannot tolerate voices of dissent. That is why I'm pleading with everyone to Vote Kerry. Put this administration and its hypocritical party out of office.
man-oh-mannix.

I'm not at all surprised that this sort of thing may have happened, i.e., death threats, when I saw when the Texas gigs were scheduled...so predictable!

Anyone who would proclaim that they are a fan of Morrissey's and then threaten his life is a bloody nutcase and not too far from being a David Mark Chapman.

We need to get Bush out of the White house and into a white looney-bin jacket! Out with Bush, in with Kerry!

come on guys, you can't really believe Moz (who in the grand scheme of things is just a blip on the mainstream American radar) is recieving death threats. Thats just ridiculous to think that. He didn't even say anything that was a big deal. Do you really believe that anyone who would be soooooo far right wing and nuts would even be one of the 1000 people at the Fort Worth show? Come on, just BS speculation. How many times have we seen the man just up and cancel shows on this tour? Seems to be the same "sickness" as the other dates, whether true or not. Talk about death threats is just plain idiotic when there are other bigger name acts (to mainstream America) who are trashing Bush everyday and you hear nothing about threats on them.

Jed, this post has been up for about 15 minutes and not one e-mail about a retraction from you. What's going on?!? Shame, shame, you're slipping.

Surely Sanctuary has sent it's sharks after David for posting a "false rumour," no?

I am very willing to believe that Morrissey is indeed ill.

I also have the perfect solution to your problem: Tell Morrissey to spend the rest of the week in bed and get Charlie Browne to fill in.

Then everyone's happy, right?

Let's think of Morrissey for a moment.
I imagine that receiving a death threat is just about the most un-nerving thing for anybody.
If this is true, let's hope it is'nt..we can't expect him to carry on regardless.
That's the major downside of being frank in public, there's always some dickhead who takes it the wrong way.

If the cause of the cancellations truly is death threats, why lie and say they are due to illness? A public announcement that Morrissey has received death threats would generate some publicity and call attention to his anti-Bush statement.

Even if he did receive a death threat, why would he cancel? His security team virtually strip searches you before getting in the venue.

My brother and I have waited years to see Morrissey in concert. I had tickets for the Houston show. I found out about the cancellation 5 minutes before we were going to leave.

Fuck you, Moz.

I swear, Moz fans are the most naive group. There are public personalities in Texas that say much much, much worse about Bush than Morrissey did, and there's not even a peep of controversey.

I was at the gig, and Morrissey said nothing original, or even remotely controversial about Bush. I actually thought that he would groan on a bit more about it than he did.

So, are we to believe that a cult pop singer who performed at a three thousand seat arena is getting death threats to the degree that would cause him to cancel his next two shows in completely different cities? Oh, and also lie about the reason? If Morrissey was getting death threats I'm certain he would be dying to tell you the real reason. It would only add to his usual martyr mystique that he loves to cultivate.

Besides, Morrissey already hinted at his future sick days like a proper hookie player, when he stated that he was still recovering from the Kentucky sniffles.

Even if he did receive a death threat, he should have the resolve to go on. Death threats are some of the laziest protest tactics. I doubt anyone is going to risk murder charges over a cult pop singer,a nd I doubt Morrissey would be so incredibly frightened of this tactic to actually cancel his shows. It's an almost comical suggestion.

It's astonishing what this site posts so many stories without any real verification. It seems that anyone can send in a story, and it immediately becomes news.

morrisszey's comments last night were VERY tame compared to any other pro kerry / anti bush artist out there. the man even stated he was getting sick during the concert last night

This is who people are standing up for. This video shows his Texan charm. Is this how he feels about the American people whom he is about to address in the video. Wow, something to think about!

http://static.vidvote.com/movies/bushuncensored.mov

Go Kerry! We need you!

Let's get the context right, people. Rock n rollers still have a lot to say about current events but that does NOT supercede their love for the music...at least not for the PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS like Morrissey and his band.

This is about Morrissey and NOT about the election.

I've traveled cross continents before and it is NOT easy to stay healthy (even taking vit C) because of all the polution in the air and all the NEW BUGS you come into contact with. Need I remind people of how the Native Americans got wiped out? It's just NATURAL to get sick. Morrissey is human like all of us. Unlike US, He chooses to spend his time, energy and money to visit his fans/patrons when he could just have released another album or video and said "screw you" to the masses. However, he realizes that we need to hear his art from him directly and see where he is coming from AND I think he needs to SEE us and know where WE are coming from.

Yes, some of us are assholes here in TEXAS. I'm from West Texas and I've been to the Will Rogers auditorium when it was empty and it's much better with seasoned performers and an adoring audience in it. Thanks for the reviews.

I've been to this site before many years ago when one of his videos came out with the little girl in it...something about a crown...anyway, I love that song. I also love his standards. I think this guy is very genuine and soulful and something we need to hear nowadays. As far as who he sleeps with; how he votes...that doesn't matter to me...all that matters is that I get to know WHO this man is as a person and performer.
**********************************************
Thanks Morrissey and the band for your hard work and efforts and I hope you get well soon. Play Texas as often as you like so everyone in the rurals has an opportunity to hear your MUSIC - It's like a whole other country HERE...lots of people!
**********************************************

Well well well...Moz cant take the slightest bit of heat what a surprise.

He has the same ability to sit back and criticise that Kerry has and both couldnt stand in the fire for a minute. When the pressure is on the test of character is revealed.

Bush gets death threats every minute of every day, yet he forges on. That is strength. Not some privledged pop star who cant even keep a tour schedule...

Morrissey is not a shred of the man that Bush is.
Oh wait, he might be really sick, his poor little itchy throat...Come on, Bush and Kerry have been in the most grueling campaign all over this country for months and months with quadruple the audience and they are both well over fifty!

Get some spine Moz.

You can dish it out and wish before an audiance Bushs death but you run with your tail between your legs when its reversed,

Shows just exactly who you REALLY are.

I remember exactly 1 month after 9 eleven, when the whole country was afraid and uncertain what kind of violence might ensue, Bush stood on the mound of yankee stadium before a crowd of 60,000 people and threw out the first pitch...Thats courage. You are pretty much another self centered Hollywood type...You lost it.

A paper here in Houston did a story on Moz and his politics, I think that fuelled the fire. Why can't he be happy in his own field of expertise?

that newspaper article where they called up the republicans and asked for their take on his song "america is not the world" is like dangling a shiny object in front of the simpletons who populate a sizable area of our state.

you and i see a stab at political discourse when we read such an article while these people read "i should kill him because Jesus chose George W to be our leader."

What the hell is wrong with people? Isn't this the fricking United States of America were people can expresss their opinions? I guess you can express them if they are okay with the powers that be. We have become a facist country!! And if you think otherwise, you are seriously deluded. Jesus, I am going to have to move from this country just to express my opinions. I don't blame Moz for canceling, there are some stupid ignorant red necks that think the sun sets with that moron that we have for president. Take Care Moz, we love you, and it takes strength to take on the position of the righteous!!!

I was at the show in Ft. Worth, and nothing he said about Bush could have been interpreted as being overly abrasive. He did make it apparent that he isn't a Bush supporter, but didn't directly say anything that could be regarded as controversial, defintely not enough to warrant death threats. From my recollection he said "So is this Bush country?" If it were true about death threats, they would likely be more in response to his comments last summer about Bush should have died rather than Reagen, but certainly nothing from the Ft. Worth show was anything remotely comparitive to the Reagan/Bush comment. The Dixie Chicks who are from Texas have said much worse, and have had backlash from the community, but that is because they are US citizens themselves. If Morrissey is going to sing "The Queen Is Dead" and "Margaret On The Guillotine", (his own country), why should it be a shock to anyone that he has disparaging remarks about the US president.
I too am ashamed of the redneck sterotype most Texans receive, but believe me, those redneck types are so much in the minority, it's just that they are loud and obnoxious that it makes it appear that they are the majority.

1) He hasn't received death threats.
2) Morrissey hasn't read the Houston Press article. The Houston Press is a free paper in Houston that is actually very left wing. If you read this particular article, it is pretty humorous at times. The article just asks people in the two campaigns what they think of Morrissey's lyrics. The Kerry campaign representative actually agreed with most of the lyrics.
3) Morrissey has done this before and he will do it again. Live with it.

It sucks that he always chooses the concerts in which I buy tickets to cancel, but oh well. I doubt I will make any more effort to see him again.

Apparently, Morrissey has got an idea in his head that normal people do not reside in Texas. Well, I know about six normal people who agree with Morrissey politically and they were going to be at his show tonight. Please think logically Morrissey.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Also, to everyone who keeps talking about state fascism when it's reported that an individual makes a ridiculous death threat, you do realize that people get death threats all the time, in countries across the world, over issues much more trivial than comments on a president, don't you?

How on earth does this speak of a general mood in a particular city, state, or counrty? I can't believe that some people are taking it this seriously.

You must also realize, that in a free country, where you are allowed to give your opinion publicly, you are also opening yourself up to the freedom of rebuttal, or boycott. Certainly death threats don't fall within the realm of a proper rebuttal, but this is just a general reminder to those who beocme upset when someone else disagrees.

Therefore, private institutions, and individuals can protest that opinion in a non-violent manner. It's not a censorship issue, so I don't understand when people become upset about it. I can disagree with that boycott, or refusal to promote such comments, but it's that person or groups right to do so.

I didn't agree with radio stations boycott of the Dixie Chicks, but it was their constitutional right to do so. It goes both ways.

If there are two courses that classrooms across the country need to require, it's one on logic, and the other on constitutional law.

Many people don't seem to grasp either one.

Yes, it is true. I, too, called The Backyard in Austin and the show has been cancelled. I want to cry and tear my eyes out. I work at a small-town Texas newspaper and had received a call earlier in the day that my request for a photo pass was approved. I yelled in my office and was dancing around, telling my co-workers how happy I was! I was going to be in the photo pit, like 10 ft. away from Moz! Perhaps he really is sick? Does he have something chronic that hasn't been disclosed? However, I would not doubt that the show was cancelled due to his political comments. Supposedly, when Regan died he said something like, "Pity it wasn't George Bush." Now his official statement about electing Kerry... When I read it Wednesday night, I agreed. Then I thought, "Oh crap. Something bad is going to happen at the concert." Then I told myself I was just paranoid. Well, there is a saying, "Paranoid people aren't always wrong." Gosh, Moz. Only you know what the situation is. I'm upset. 90$ for two tickets- down the drain! I'm still in denial. I'm a 30-year old in South Texas who was looking so forward to my first time seeing Steven Morrissey. I guess I will spend tonight proving the stereotype of Moz fans correct. Crying. AAAAGGGHH! ... as they scream in Charlie Brown cartoons!

I'm not agreeing that rumor of the death threats is true, but consider this. If there were death threats made--they may not have only been directed at Morrissey but also at those who would be at the shows in Houston and Austin. If he did cancel the shows because of this he would be looking out for his fans safety as well as his own. How can you hate him for that?

My sister called the Backyard and they told her that the show was cancelled because of strained vocal chords. Maybe this is true, maybe it isnt, but it seems more likely than a death threat. It could be just made up BS because Moz wants to be off until Sunday. Who knows? Also, a friend went to buy a ticket for the Austin show a few days ago and they told her that there were 1400 tickets available. The backyard *i think* holds around 5000 people. So that seems like a decent enough turn out (and much much more than in Fort Worth) especially considering that you havent toured there in 12 years and recieve little air play in this country. So maybe he didn't cancel based on ticket sales IF you are getting 3500 in Austin. Austin would be so pro-Morrissey though, i mean is there a more liberal city outside of San Fran, etc? I find it disheartening that we've already recieved info about refunds with no talk about rescheduling. He could have fit in at least one of the cancelled shows after the Nov. 13 Las Vegas show. He doesn't play again until Paris on the 22nd. Plenty of time to do a makeup show. Also, like someone said, if it really was a death threat, why not make it public? That would make Bush and his supporters look bad a mere 5 days or so before the election. Hopefully he really does have strained vocal chords, cuz if he did recieve a death threat, we'll have to wait another 12 years for him to come back.

My God what the hell is happening here? Obviously, freedom of speech is going down the fucking toilet. This is despicable and just another reminder of why Bush MUST GO. Evidentally the First Amendment means nothing, and will most likely disappear if Bush gets back in. I hope Moz is well guarded, and safe. I hope the authorities trace back and find out WHO made these threats! There is NO excuse for this. It's making me so angry at this moment I cannot believe it. I HATE BUSH. GET HIM OUT! Morrissey, we love you, PLEASE stay safe!

Let me get something off of my chest before I begin: Texas is a great state. I've been there a few times, I don't have any family out there, but I have some friends that do and their families have been very hospitable to me. I love Texas, no matter what spawned out of there and took control over our country.

Now, can you really be surprised by all of this? It's no wonder Moz would cancel a gig at 'The Backyard'. Somehow, a barbeque comes to mind. Oh and don't forget the few errr cases of beer that people tend to wash down at a typical backyard party in Texas. Trust me, they can be just as bad in L.A. too. The only difference is, we don't have Uncle Skeeter trying to plow everyone down in his new John Deere tractor afterwards. Over here, we get cops who always put an end to it before things get started. I don't think Moz feels like getting molested onstage by an army of local yokels during "There Is A Light...". That is the song of choice for you stage invaders isn't it? What happens if he busts out with it in the middle of the set which he may be prone to do? There won't be any concert then. Granted, stage invading was a problem elsewhere, like in New Jersey. Whereas people in Detroit were able to control themselves. What's the matter? It's only worth it to overturn a car when the Pistons win? Or when the Lions...nevermind. Sorry Texas, but that Live In Dallas video wasn't a shining moment for you at all.

And about that whole 'Dubya' thing: Moz, most people won't take too kindly to you calling for the death of their former governor. If you wish death upon someone else, expect some crazy nut to wish it upon you. While i'm not defending nor supporting Moz for his comments, you have to accept the repercussions that follow. You have nothing to worry about Moz. I think the local authorities are catching up to Texaho as we speak, and she/it will be in their custody shortly. She's good, you're good, there won't be anymore problems.

With the brutal tendencies of security at Moz shows, i'm a little surprised they didn't instill some kind of confidence in Moz that he would be okay. Surely he must know what goes on. It's only when they bust out with the latex gloves that I take it for a loss and sell my tickets to someone else wanting to get in. Actually, they never tried that on me, but rest assured Texas, that may be your fate if ever he decides to perform there again after this tour is over.

Once again, don't get me wrong Texas. We have some solid guys from there that post, (like Lon and Palare). Houston, in particular, is a great sports town and the Astros should have been at the World Series. But Moz can't go in there when crazies are threatening him. I know they are actually a minority when you consider the other people from there. One rotten apple can spoil the whole bunch.

OUT

I hope there were no death threats but if there were he is right not to perform.I also find it funny that people have been talking about death threats like they are normal everyday events for people other than world leaders.I'm sure Morrissey rarely if ever receives death threats so why shouldn't he be worried (if there was one).

What is it exactly that you think Moz said that was supposedly so horrific?

I was AT the show in Ft Worth last night. And he put on a fantastic show. Was very interactive with the crowd. And the crowd, in turn, was very cool and very appreciative.

Save for the moron's comment about Johnny Marr, I don't see how anything that was said, by Morrissey or otherwise, could be the "cause" of the cancellation of the Houston and Austin shows.

Sorry...just not buying it.

its kind of hypocritical to say "poor morrissey" when he wrote a song about assassinating margaret thatcher. he also made a veiled threat to someone (probably mike joyce) in sorrow will come in the end.
  as a fellow vegetarian I am appalled that morrissey would endorse John kerry just five days after that ridiculous pre-staged hunting trip. Kerry kills an animal for the sole purpose of garnering votes and Morrissey endorses him?!
Bush is certainly no friend to vegetarians but he'll get my vote before long face ever does.
W. in 04

For not announcing this until a day before the event... :( well.. at leaset we in San Antonio, Texas didnt have to cancel our Morrissey Tribute night which was on the 23rd, that seems as the closest we are gonna get to Morrissey for a while..

Please come to San Antonio!! WE HATE BUSH HERE!!

I remember about a year ago, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks made a comment about how she was ashamed that she and GW were from the same state (paraphrasing).

And yes the Dixie Chicks received death threats.

And yes they were on tour at the time.

but did they cancel? not at all. They beefed up security, made sure medal detectors were working etc but they didnt cancel a gig let alone two.

Never would I have thought that 3 girls from texas would have bigger balls than Morrissey

i am so sick of people judging morrissey...

i am no vegan, but i dont like it when people are cruel to animals...but if moz wants to wear leather shoes, or whatever...so be it.

if moz wants to support kerry (and to some that's a bad thing)...so be it.

if moz wants to cancel "his" show...(because it is H I S to begin with)...so be it.

if moz wants to "chicken out" and give the heat but not take it...so be it.

he is not god. he is human just like us. leave him alone...let him live his life even if it is not in accordance with yours! that's the real truth here.

who are we to judge other human beings?

Hello, needless to say I am devastated by the cancellation of Morrissey's concert in Houston. As a fan going back to his time with the Smiths, this would have been my first time to see Morrissey live in concert. I hope Morrissey re-schedules. I really do. The Houston Chronicle is reporting the show has been canceled due to the fact that Morrissey is "suffering from strained vocal cords." Here is the URL: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/headline/entertainment/2871293

Morrissey, if you read this, please know your music means very, very much to me. Please re-schedule to play in Houston soon as you have done with the Inland Invasion in California. Thank you.

This is pathetic. The members of the audience in Dallas love Morrissey! I know I was there! It showed! To get those kinds of numbers after they had to reschedule the dates for Texas cities. Dallas's show was on Wednesday for pete's sake. I personally, drove 4 hours to get there and took several days off from work.

Fore I was going in a group for the show in my hometown of Houston and going with numberous friends from Corpus Christi to the Austin show.
 
From the posts in this forum, I get the impression, that the Morrissey fan base thinks because Dubya comes from Texas that everyone in Texas is conservative, stupid, red neck duds that wants Morrissey's head! This could be nothing but the load of crap!

I'm proudly an educated, liberal, vegetarian, Bi-sexual female from Houston.

This bashing of Texans needs to stop. There is no base for this.

All my love for Moz,
Slinky
Houston, TX

Jon Stewart for President!

Christ you know it ain't easy,
You know how hard it can be.
The way things are going
They're going to crucify me.

What comments? And Death threats by who?

Once piece of dog crap threatened him. You worthless people from dall-ass. Face it John Kerry is going to win. Stick it up your white butt.

Oboviously since there has yet to be any official statement, then it is simply one person posting a rumor - period - end of story. I thought this site had better morals than to post something as inflamitory as this as an official news item without offering one shread of proof.

Shame on you David

Forget Texas and come back to Toronto Moz.
No guns here, just fans who would love a second show !!!!!

Moz should do the show, invite George W. and re-enact the cover of the new album. That's right

YOU ARE THE QUARRY

Take that Texas !!!!!

I really want to know what was so offensive as to make death threats?!

  war pigs going to choose your next President

  war pigs are gonna make you believe in their lies they are all lies.

  Both Candidates are going to show you who is the Best War Pig

  John Lennon, MLK, Ghandi nothing has changed

  I said it more than one time

  Ill never Die for this or other country
These Political motherfuckers dont give a shit about you get that throug your head.

Boy, if Moz cancels this concert again, I can only imagine the pandomonium that will bludgeon the hill's of S.Bernardino. I really hope he canceled Houston and Austin because of anything other than illness.

This sickening news story does not surprise me at all if it turned out to be true. A large amount (not all) of Americans are utter stars'n'stripes blinded, christ-obsessed arseholes. It's such a crying shame it happens to be the most powerful country in the world fronted by a man a deaf monkey wouldn't have a problem outwitting.

Americans screw up royally abroad, and rather than taking a step back and examine their actions the rest of the world gets an unhelpful "who cares what you think?" attitude and unrelenting, irritating inbred "pride". Let us not forget the war in Iraq was justified by Bush using a reason that has since been proven wholly FALSE? A great deal of Americans struggle with this and clamber to make weak excuses, but the simple fact is: you fucked up, and you don't like being told you have fucked up. But believe me, you DID fuck up. What are you going to do? Make war on every other country (including Europe) impose Christianity and McDonald's because we don't share the same views as your "commander in chief"? I say that in jest, but who knows eh? Free speech most definitely seems out of the window at the moment without fear of a death threat or two.

I could go on and on (and on) with this post but frankly can't be arsed as I'd be here all night. I just felt I had to say something as I have become increasingly sick of "proud" America of late. I sincerely hope Kerry gets in because at least he seems to have a tiny bit of respect for the international community and more than two brain cells to rub together. Americans don't seem to realise you WANT a president that will question actions... selecting a catastrophic course of action and sticking to it unwaveringly is the sign of a simpleton leader, and not a progressive, intelligent nation which you "could" be...

PS. Electing Kerry as the next president would be a fucking good start.