If he is, I'm glad I went to the last US show. And if the shows next month in the UK & Dublin are not sold out, they certainly will be now.

He played both "Bigmouth" and "How soon is Now" on this tour.

If there ever was a sign of him retiring, this is it.

Un disco y otra gira más, por favor.
Nos debes una pasada por España.

Oh my god, I feel sick.

This is cheap speculation. Why would he want to retire? Can't you tell how much he enjoys being onstage? It's all bull, I tell you bull!!!!

I posted the Dean Butterworth story to David T on the front page where i asked if Deano has been given the chance to collaborate to the written side of any future Morrissey material. Answering yes, with an extension of him looking forward to it (not transcribed), this may be a point to counter this story. But i'm sure there are also other facts that support it, such as the starting of the Autobiography and the Alain Whyte situation. A loss of a significant writing partner might harm Moz's future material, who knows. Just thought i'd throw my two penneth in!

Deano

No, really - I'm crying.

But if it is true, then I must say how blessed I feel to have seen him on this tour, and how grateful I am to him for everything that he has done for me. His music means everything to me, and without it my life would be a hollow sham. This won't change, and for this reason Morrissey will remain this important to me.

I will never, ever forget you, Morrissey - ever - I don't care if I don't know you. I don't need to. I love you, and thank-you.x

there've been lots of clues: 'disappointed' & 'get off the stage' to name a couple

It always puzzles me when I read things like this. For one thing, there is not a shred of evidence to support the "news" other than a unspecified reference to show banter - which in itself is unreliable. Furthermore, we have also all read the stage banter, and to say that there is evidence there of "retirement" is - to say the least - not obvious to me :) Practically everything Morrissey says at these occasions is tongue-in-cheek anyway.

Even further, Morrissey does not generally seem inclined to stop touring and making music. On the contrary he seems to be enjoying it more than he ever has, and often speaks of the magnificently intimate relationship he has with his fans. He has voluntarily played so many live dates in the last few years it puts most of his colleagues to shame.

Finally, and this is the real point I wanted to make: Why this talk about "retiring"? Life as a rock star is not exactly 9 to 5...if he is tired of it, he can just do nothing for a year, no one will really know. If he still doesn't feel like making music or touring after that, he can just wait another year. Except for the tours, what do we really know about his whereabouts in the 7 year period between Maladjusted and Quarry?

Morrissey will not "retire" - that sort of thing is only an excuse to be able to stage a grand comeback later. He might take a long and well-deserved break, but that is another matter entirely. I wish we could be rid of these kinds of rumours, unless we have something official from the horse's mouth or somebody close to it.

No Alain, nuff said

Rubbish. I remember seeing Morrissey in 1992 during the Your Arsenal tour, and he hinted at retirement then.

I think speculation of "this will be the last time" and "this is the last song I will ever sing" occurs after every album (and is fuelled by the man himself). I sincerely doubt that this is the end. I ask you, what on earth would he do instead? Sit and read poetry in his Beverly Hills abode, send anonymous faxes to bands that are a load of drivel or simply become a grand dame. No, I don't think this is the end.

What a screwed up acticle to read first thing in the morning. And where the hell is Alain? Did he get tired of Moz?

Ok, if this is true, I'll drink myself silly,never to be sober again. The world will no longer be an interesting place.

too many things have been adding up.

If this is true then I think I have had enough time with the Man. I became a fan in '97 and I have seen him around 20 times since then. I would say thats enough, I even went to the last U.S. show in Vegas and it was great. We will miss you Morrissey, no matter what happens we all love you.
p.s. now maybe I can start paying back all the debt I have because of him.

I can't believe it could be over... who knows how much validity there is to this speculation (as others have said, he hints at it often) - but Alain missing, Mozzer's age, autobiography talk and the stellar setlists hint at a goodbye.

Perhaps I'll go to Dublin..., if not, I'll just quietly cry my eyes out in my bathroom for 10 years.

Angeline

Well, that's not what i wanna hear! And now, to express myself, i say, shit damn fuck hell crap!!!!!

hope its just another rumour!

Maplefreak (trapped in a convent from 9 to 5...send help!)

I'M GONNA DIE DIE DIE DIE.
He didn't even do a proper European tour, just a few festival gigs.
But then if yiu think about it.. it makes sense that Morrissey would stop recording albums but stop touring entirely? Don't think so. He loves the stage and his audience.

Strange that the "spokeperson" did not deny it categorically. As shameful as it would be, I hope this is a publicity stunt of some sort to boost the Platinum Edition of YATQ or something. Otherwise my life is over.

not made up, this is the cover, shame it's not in the news section here though

http://www.morrissey-solo.com/discuss/index.cgi?read=229820

It won't be over until he's done one last gig in Manchester.

We've only had a few festival gigs and arenas down South.

Come on Moz, book a few proper venues. Even the Americans got more than us.

well, too late. that's exactly what he is (well, as least ageing, not sure about a rocker)...if this is true, i'd be so disappointed - a true artist creates art til they die...

Obviously with Morrissey no one knows what's gonna happen next, and he might retire at any time. After all, he took 7 years off when he didn't have to.

But this article is so clearly bullshit I don't know why it is deemed worthy of posting here.

>>>>>>
British singer Morrissey is reportedly planning to retire next year after hinting to fans his current world tour could be his last.
>>>>>
His first album in four years, You Are the Quarry, has proved a hit with fans and critics alike, but he is not happy in the business.
>>>>>
A source says, "Morrissey has been making hints during his shows, telling fans that this could be his last tour. The word is, he'll release his final single early next year.
>>>>>
"He has never wanted to become an ageing rocker."
>>>>>
Morrissey's spokesperson adds, "I honestly don't know. The fans probably know more than we do."

The only one who knows is Morrissey, and he has not told anyone, so quit manufacturing news stories out of thin air. I seriously doubt Morrissey himself knows what he'll be doing 5 years from now, so how the hell would this journalist?

Also, to use the word "retire" would imply that Morrissey considers his singing, songwriting, and recording a "career" to retire FROM, which he clearly does NOT. It's just something he loves to do, and he does it when he feels like it. If he doesn't feel like making another album next year, he might feel like it in 3 years, or in 5 years. It's not like he's gonna write his autobiography and move the Ft. Lauderdale to expire. And it's not like he's one of these record industry pop idols who has about a 3 year window to put as much product out as possible before they are considered stale.

There's no proof so watch this.Please.

http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/video.asp?video=mym2002&Player=wm&speed=_med

..at the Paris gig, the last song was "You knew I couldn't last", but on the other, the encore was "There is a Light..", so I'm hopeful.

Besides, the guy just loooooves singing and being onstage, there's no question about that, and I don't think he minds his name being chanted again, and again, and again at our friendly reunions, so I don't think he'll quit just yet. There's too much of a craving (and desire?) from both sides.

everytime these rumors pop up it puts me in the worst mood, no matter what. i'll probably be stuck at work until 9 tonight and now i won't be able to stop thinking about how depressing it would be if i never got to see morrissey play again. i have my own thoughts on the matter, and would like to think that this is mostly just unwarranted speculation, but please moz don't call it quits!!!

it must be a man who wrote that, premature speculation!

He did it his way........Morrissey is going to retire.....all signs pointing to that......atleast I live 45 minutes from his house and know where he hangs out......

Please note, this is ONLY MY OPINION. I'm not saying it's necessarily right, but it's how I feel.

I can understand Morrissey not wanting to turn into the "ageing rocker" he once so despised - he has an immense sense of dignity, so I can fully believe this.

But - here's the crux for me - 'Quarry' is NOT a masterpiece. It's average. Morrissey will not be going out on top if he stops now. For me, 50 would be a good age to retire, a sensible one, though I also have alot of time for the argument that true artists like Cohen, Dylan and Cash have the urge to create till they die, and I believe M is a "true artist". But if he must, I feel as though there needs to be one more album, which he can surely manage before he's 50 (5 years away) and which is to the standard of Vauxhall and I - i.e. brilliant. I feel as though someone of his stature NEEDS to go out that way. You are remembered by the last thing you did, as actors say. For many people who chanced across him recently, this will be true. Quarry is a bit too mediocre, a bit too polished, too MOR, to be the high point of his career. He has the chance to trounce his critics by producing one last album, reflective, inventive, but most of all completely satisfying - lyrically, musically and in terms of production. A record to the standard of Vauxhall, though not necessarily the same as. His reputation redeemed (which at the moment, given the mixed response YATQ got, it only half is) he will then be able to leave as the true champ he is.

So, Moz, one more album. The tour could be scaled down, but one more record is needed. And it must be your very best. I truly believe it.

Retirement?
That's not really a Morrissey word.
Im sure that he would rather just 'wind down' his touring days over the next few years, with the gigs that he chooses to do being few and far between.
Can anyone imagine him being so crass as to announce a 'Final Farewell Gig'?
That's simply not his style. Judging by his tremendous performances during this current tour, and with his popularity now at an all-time high.... he will know that he has at least a good five years ahead of him still.
He is a brilliant performer, and he knows it.
He also knows that his life will be empty without the contentment he feels on the big stage.
I reckon that the FEAR of eventually 'Retiring' drives him on.

VIVA MOZ!!

that's fine, we'll still have the music.

i just wish he didn't skip San Diego on his "farewell tour"

Moz was rougly 23 when The Smiths released their
1st single. Next year he'll be 23 years as a media persona. Maybe things have balanced out now he's forgiven Jesus,etc. and destiny calls. Fair play to him if that's what he wants. I know what it was like when The Smiths finished. This would be mild compared to that. He played his first solo gig in Dubalin and maybe his last'll be there too. Teenagers won't be given a chance to yawn.

Mike TV.

what he sing few years ago concerning the "old" rock stars : GET OFF THE STAGE!

if he do it i'll understand his decision, he do his proof in musical industry, now he can choose an other way ...

Ignore

But I'm sure there's a bit of life in Mozzer yet!
Either way the Dublin gig will be interesting to see wheteher he announces anything important...

Shall we start a collection now for our pal? Between us lot, we should be able to gather enough dosh for a nice card, present and cake, right? Getting the card signed by everyone might get a little tricky though!

Say you'll become an ageing star.
We're all ageing too you know.
Who cares?

Seriously Flawed
(Now freeyourself, behave, this comment looks ok to me)

silly journalists. we have no solid proof.

ignore and go on, for that's all we can really do in this nothing void anyhow.

but it DOES make me feel very sick and exceptionally sad. what will the world be like without morrissey? i think it's time i step up to take his place...

await my advent, you sorry masses. i am needed, i can sense it in my young groaning bones...

i could see him not wanting to announce that it's his farewell tour. i don't think he would want the tears and he probably wouldn't want to appear to be one of these people who are doing it to milk the attention.

at Vegas, he did seem to want to have a moment where he thanked the people who showed up at every gig, and when some idiot started yelling, he got annoyed and said, "but you don't know what i'm going to say!" and as he said it, he did seem to choke up.

if it's true, i wish there could have been a better note to end it on. despite the months of touring, it does seem like he's passed over some places that you would think he wouldn't mind saying goodbye to along the way, and what's up with playing only one show in Paris?

but i thought about it, and maybe he does want to slow down, but who knows what his contract looks like and maybe he just doesn't want to be stuck going on the road for 7 months at a time again and having every last song on the album released as a single. it doesn't look like by the way that things are run that Sanctuary would let him do anything at a leisurely pace, and maybe he had grown used to not having anyone staring over his shoulder for so long that maybe he now resents it. and he can't just say, "i want out of my contract". no, he'd have to retire, and then maybe lay low for a while and maybe pop up occasionally in LA to play a show here or there.

i can't imagine him quitting cold turkey after this being his life for so long.

He's doing a Robert Smith!
Robert always hints at retirement...but they are the same age & really how long can they go on?
We have enough music from them both to keep us happy for the rest of our lives.

It's not too hard to fathom, as he has alluded to such things recently. But until I hear something concrete, directly from him, his management, label, etc..., I will treat anything I am told to the contrary as rubbish(you like that Merck?). Especially from some internet site that has no factual basis for their claims. I hope it's not true quite yet, but maybe someday soon. Please wait. Don't lose faith.

I think he has a few good years left in him. Maybe all the references he's made to "not passing this way again" have to do with the lack of stability in our society. Tragic world events have taught us all that one never knows. Perhaps he just wanted to make sure he has properly thank his fans.

its sad, but come on, for 20 years, he has given us more than we ever deserved,

enjoy your old age moz

I'm not denying that it's possible, and to be honest, it would be a perfect time for him to 'retire', but quite frankly I'll hear it from more reliable sources than that. That article is nothing we don't already know. In fact, it could have been written simply by scanning the posts on these messageboards! The fans may not necessarily know more than the record company but we sure as hell know more than whoever wrote that; its just panic-mongering from one point of view and filling column inches from another (for which I am thankful that it was Moz that did so aptly fill them). Please don't get your knickers in a twist over this piece of electronic bog roll. It will happen some day, and it has been hinted at before, and now would admittedly be an apt swansong, not to mention the fact that if he does stop now he has a great set-up for himself in the form of Attack Records - he's not going to pale into insignificance. But I've seen him twice this year and I did not see a man who was looking forward to getting off the stage, nor one that would rely on a gossip column to announce his departure from the music business... Either way, when he does go he should go while he's still on top. And I'm not going to be scanning the tabloids and gossip columns for news of this; trust me, we'll know first.

"Goodbye. Please don't forget me." - Morrissey

what was the point of going through all the hassle of getting a record deal, making an extraordinary album, tv appearances (which he cannot enjoy), a world tour, all received to critical acclaim, poised to take music back from the plastic princesses and assembly line rock and then just quit? why bother with all that? just so he could say that he did it, gave us all 1 last hurrah. no way, he's gotta have better things to do than that. making music is what he does, he'll never be happy just hold up in his house for the rest of his life. he needs us just as much as we need him. he may say it's over now but he'll be back. you all just wait and see. he'll be back and with a vengeance.

IJTR

"what was the point of going through all the hassle of getting a record deal, making an extraordinary album, tv appearances (which he cannot enjoy), a world tour, all received to critical acclaim, poised to take music back from the plastic princesses and assembly line rock and then just quit? why bother with all that? just so he could say that he did it, gave us all 1 last hurrah. no way, he's gotta have better things to do than that. making music is what he does, he'll never be happy just hold up in his house for the rest of his life. he needs us just as much as we need him. he may say it's over now but he'll be back. you all just wait and see. he'll be back and with a vengeance."

I´m sorry because I´m using your words, but I couldn´t say it better. Thank´s.

ramirezi

Dear Jim,

This better not be a hoax. It is really pathetic when someone decides to retire, only to come back.

Signed,

'Tragic' Johnson and Michael Jordan

As sick and saddened as this would make me, I'd be glad to see the old boy go out with a smile on his miserable face.