Thank you Mr. Mercuriadis for posting your side of the story.

Without your intervention, this may have escalated to nothing less that two men holding dueling pistols at dawn on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. Your actions proved to be a more reasonable solution.

Morrissey is luck to have you. Keep up the good work.

So, Morrissey never laid eyes on the Devil himself? He's not missing much:
http://imagebank.ipcmedia.com/imageBank/c/conor%20 mcnicholas%20apr%2006%20.jpg [ipcmedia.com]

Absolute C U N T. Has this become a vendetta for him now?

...actually makes sense. I'm sick of all the hyperbole and drama every time Morrissey sneezes in a way that seems "scandalous" to someone within 50 feet of him.

Even if the original version of the story IS true, I still think Morrissey would have been within his rights to give the hotel the "me or him" ultimatum....anyone would. The NME went out of their way to hurt him, AGAIN, and rake in readers at Morrissey's expense. I wouldn't want to stay in the same building as that asshole either, if I were in Morrissey's shoes. It isn't snobbery or superiority...it just comes down to basic human emotions.

www.myspace.com/morrisseysavedourlives

(nearly 150 ready-to-stream Moz b-sides, demos, sessions, and unreleased songs, 1983-2007.)

so either this is the truth, or he's just covering up for Moz haha

what I find interesting is that from what I remember hearing the new album was done and dusted as far as recording went, even in an article on Matt Walker from a few months ago he talked about flying to LA for "one last song" and now its mentioned here that he's been in LA recently working on the new album .. interesting.

but can we have a whole list of tour and festival dates SOON please.

...for taking care of our boy and getting rid of the trash!

p.s. Please tell Morrissey I'm sorry for grabbing his arm at Russell's first US stand-up show. I didn't mean to, I just got really nervous and lost all sense of decorum. I love him.

It's cute how easily Morrissey's manager is believed when it involves a perceived slight against Morrissey.

The responses on this thread are a perfect example of why politicians have the sway that they do. Fraternity trumps skepticism, and the mob always backs their boy.

Regardless of who instigated the removal, Morrissey's manager taking the fall for the decision is fairly predictable. It also suggests that this site is monitored and taken seriously by Morrissey Inc.

So, Morrissey's management feels that Conor was there to intimidate Morrissey? I wouldn't expect any other version of events from him. It doesn't make the action look any more justified. He's a journalist working for the N.M.E. Of course he's going to be assigned to investigate Morrissey.

In short, Merck used his "connections" to have someone removed from his client's presence, just like a politician. Whether it was Morrissey, or Merck, it was a cowardly act.

Morrissey's long list of cowardly acts certainly draws suspicion in this instance.

Merck is going to feel like a hollow shill when Morrissey eventually dumps him after the wind blows in the opposite direction.

The Mozzer of yore would now sack Mr Mercuradias (pronounced mardy ar*e) for stealing his thunder and lessening the legend.... OH WELL I'LL NEVER LEARN.

Are you the only manager Moz has had who communicates to the audience? (as you must be reading these responses otherwise why post such an indignificant story/rumour/celeb gossip rubbish. Have I answered my own question?)

Why??

Keep up the good work, merck!

that conor boy is one ugly bitch.

Really, this is getting rather pathetic. Merck you claim to be an ass and you may not be wrong, but i do find the massaging of egos to be rather juvenile. If heaven forbid, Morrissey and Connor crossed paths, what on earth would really happen? NOTHING! This is nothing but a soap opera created for one, since in the end nobody here will lose any sleep over who stays in a hotel or not.

To push your client's attitiude and weight around a hotel is as bad as certain "plumbing problems" at the Palladium we were told to believe as truth.

It is no wonder Morrissey seems to be losing touch with many of the common people/his fans, as "yes men" such as yourself and the rent a friends he surrounds himself with, just fuel this sad spectacle.

Merck, we know that you have been on the receiving end of such child-like behaviour before, but the sad part is you stick around your sacred cash cow despite your dignity and self respect.

It really is sad to see a group of middle aged men playing this game that eventually will come to a shabby conclusion. This nme/hotel/footstomp might have been a tactical move on your part to extend your stay within the good graces, but i would be shocked if you were still working for Morrissey by the end of the year.

And do you not realise with your proud admission that you've just created more crap for the NME to write about?

Morrissey once again you can't be bothered to confront the little runt yourself, who are you, royalty?, perhaps you should ask Merck to wipe you as well, being that you have an autistic disability of some sort.

to my love
What a load of pontificating twatness.
He's almost a snob.

Gorgeous git

All this fuss and bother - it all seems pretty silly, ultimately.

*sigh*

Are you serious?! Merck, my man, i'd like to believe you had something to do with this. But I know Moz pulled the trigger on that move. No way does a man with Morrissey's ven-dar (venom radar) not see this coming a mile away. Moz knew what was going down long before that weasel made his way out of the hole.

On that note, many thanks to Mozmic for providing a pic of Conor. In fact, i'll paste another link for those that haven't seen:

http://imagebank.ipcmedia.com/imageBank/c/conor%20 mcnicholas%20apr%2006%20.jpg

Marilyn Manson errrrr Rob Stone wants his face back! Hell, even my cat has seen better days. "I know my wicked-looking ass is lucky to be on tv", but I don't think we'll see this RAT on the screen anytime soon nor should we.

Nice of the jerk to cover for his boss. His work to become that "Best Friend on the Payroll" will pay off real soon.

Also looks like that "accident" is shot to hell now. The Jerk lost a few points on that one. Now Moz has to figure out a new hunk of cheese to put on Conor's trap now that we won't see a green Jag running red lights in his hometown. He'll probably just write a song about it and stick it on some UK single with one other track I already have. Then i'll have to scrounge up the JACK to buy it since my box doesn't download as quickly.

That is bad ass!!!
This is why I like you.

Thanks, Merk.
You rock.

I don't even understand why NME did their awards here instead of London other than people over there might think they're a load of trash now. He is absolutely responsible for that and not welcome here, either. If only Tribune owned NME, the solution would be swift.

Ignore the considerable amount of outré bullshit in the comments on this site -- the silent majority appreciates that you're watching out for Moz and taking the time to clarify here.

If Conor did it to fuck with Moz then it's definitely best that you did what you did.

On a side note, I hope the legal case against the NME is ongoing?

Whats strange is that this story was old news until this new posting......why re-gurgitate the story unless perhaps there is a desire for mutual mischeievousness

Maybe Morrissey and Conor could go to the movies together and see "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Hey, there is a Smiths song featured in the beginning!

Merck, you should work for the UN! (I'm sure the pale blue beret would suit you).

Fabbest story ever.

Have at ye, Conman McKnickerless!

One simple question; if Mozz has no idea what Conor McNicholas looks like or who he is, how could his presence possibly make Mozz uncomfortable?!

Yes, the facts are very simple. With Merck "at the helm" Morrissey has become more businessman than artist and exploits the loyalty of his fans with 8 versions of each release (some with extra tracks and tacky badges)and pointless moneygrabs like the last "best of." With Merck "at the helm" Morrissey seems to have some sort of silly "controversies" errupting on the eve of each product release, perhaps out of fear that the strength of the songs is no longer enough to get him in the news. Merck is very fond of himself but as a team he and Morrissey are becoming silly men preoccupied with things other than putting out great music. But hey, suck each other's dicks some more.

will always make his yarn sound like the TRUTH!

You're my hero!

"The implication was that this was mischievous and would purposely serve to make Morrissey "uncomfortable" while he was in LA making the new album"

There were days when Morrissey was feeling really very "uncomfortable" and put out splendid records. Is feeling "uncomfortable" really a serious threat to the recording process?

Overprotection isn't a wise move, though.

It is cozy to witness Morrissey inspiring so much devotion and protectiveness. However, I can't say I don't enjoy watching him getting his most tenacious harassers and "slapping them silly" with his swift mind and his cutting words. I really find it one of the funniest events to watch on today's screen.

Well... he'll do that even when he's friendly, hahah :)

I don't really think Mr McNicholas - or anyone else for that matter - would make him feel so helplessly uncomfortable. Unless it's going to hurt his image, which is something less and less likely to happen at this point. Let the man use his comic vain, for God's sake - and get those Nannies out of the way! (sorry Merck)

So because someone he deems undesirable or uncomfortable is staying in the same hotel, they oust him? He should be able to stay anywhere he pleases. This is ridiculous. If Morrissey's nose were any higher in the air, he'd drown.

Who really cares? So what if Morrissey picks his nose or cross dresses or whatever? The only thing that really matters is the music now, isn't it?

You are a closeted homosexual taking your angst out on another who is preported to be.
Just calm down.

I've noted a few sites have this story this morning. Obviously prompted by a press release from NME. Using some of Merck's words but still blaming Morrissey and adding a "yah boo sucks" line about Conor getting a better room.

"For their part, the NME was happy to reply, they stated: 'Thanks to Morrissey’s people, Conor got upgraded to a penthouse in a sister hotel.'"