IOW - the promoter's story at Music Week
posted by davidt on Monday June 13 2005, @10:00AM

suz_queen writes:
From Music Week:

The promoter of this weekend's Isle of Wight festival has responded to Morrissey's claims that he had "not ever, at any time, agreed to play the Isle of Wight Festival".

John Giddings, managing director of Clear Channel-owned Solo, retaliated against the singer who cancelled a headline slot at this weekend's event saying that "As far as we were concerned, Morrissey definitely said yes to the event."

According to Giddings, Morrissey did not give his consent in the first instance but was eventually persuaded after being billed alongside a re-united Roxy Music - apparently one of the Morrissey's favourite bands.

Giddings says, "I knew that if I could get Roxy Music to reform then Morrissey would definitely play and with eight weeks to go before the event, Sanctuary confirmed he would appear."

Morrissey used a fan's website to berate Sanctuary Records for the confusion over his booking at the Isle of Wight festival at the beginning of this month.

In a statement on fan site True to You (www.true-to-you.net), the singer wrote that he had "not ever, at any time, agreed to play the Isle of Wight Festival". He added, "The announcement that I would play was made by Sanctuary - and it was their error. However, record companies will never take the blame for their own mistakes and Sanctuary's press statement today reflects this."

 
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IOW - the promoter's story at Music Week | Log in/Create an Account | Top | 98 comments | Search Discussion
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Again... (Score:2)
where is the proof? A signature, a photo, whatever, only words aren't enough to blame the man.
moz_br -- Monday June 13 2005, @10:10AM (#166746)
(User #12108 Info)
  • Re:Again... by soundofmusic (Score:1) Monday June 13 2005, @12:40PM
    • Re:Again... by Anonymous (Score:0) Monday June 13 2005, @12:58PM
      • Re:Again... by soundofmusic (Score:1) Tuesday June 14 2005, @10:43AM
        • Re:Again... by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 14 2005, @11:43AM
          • Re:Again... by soundofmusic (Score:1) Wednesday June 15 2005, @10:27AM
      • Re:Again... by moz_br (Score:1) Monday June 13 2005, @11:25PM
          Re:Again... (Score:2, Interesting)
          Yep if he agreed surely he must have signed a contract, can they not show us that, then that would answer it for sure?
          I went to the I-o-W & I went to the official merchant stall & asked did they have any t-shirts with Morrissey on, they hadn't so someone seemed to know in plenty of time me thinks!

          Grim
          Grim O'Grady * -- Monday June 13 2005, @11:48PM (#166820)
          (User #6996 Info)
          [ Parent ]
          • Re:Again... by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 14 2005, @11:26AM
            • Re:Again... by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 14 2005, @11:52AM
      conflicting statements (Score:4, Insightful)
      funny, I'm having trouble equating that "Sanctuary confirmed he would appear" with Moz actually saying "yes, I'll do it". They still want to blame him when it seems as though he never told them (or possibly anyone) personally that he was doing it. I'm sure there are no signed contracts, etc. or they would have surfaced by now.

      Sour grapes and dude is just covering his arse since he made a poor business move.
      Anonymous -- Monday June 13 2005, @10:45AM (#166754)
        Re:conflicting statements (Score:3, Interesting)
        how is he supposed to know if people are telling him that morrissey is going to appear that morrissey is actually not going to appear? use a crystal ball?

        it seems that half of his anger is from the fact that he went out of his way to do something that he thought morrissey might like and morrissey in turn gave him the finger.

        not that morrissey has to personally appear anytime someone bothers to reform Roxy Music on his behalf, but expending effort to tell the interested parties that he wasn't going to appear would have at least been the courteous thing to do.
        suzanne * <{suzsch} {at} {sbcglobal.net}> -- Monday June 13 2005, @10:54AM (#166758)
        (User #36 Info | http://www.myspace.com/snootywriter )
        I scare dead people.
        [ Parent ]
        • Re:conflicting statements by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 14 2005, @01:49AM
          • Re:conflicting statements by suzanne (Score:1) Tuesday June 14 2005, @04:57AM
            • Re:conflicting statements by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 14 2005, @06:01AM
              • Re:conflicting statements by suzanne (Score:1) Tuesday June 14 2005, @06:57AM
                • Re:conflicting statements by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 14 2005, @07:08AM
                  • Re:conflicting statements by suzanne (Score:1) Tuesday June 14 2005, @07:22AM
                    • Re:conflicting statements by Anonymous (Score:1) Tuesday June 14 2005, @08:04AM
                      • Re:conflicting statements (Score:2, Insightful)
                        'Unprofessional' seems to describe the mess well, if an organiser decides to schedule in an artist on an amateurish preference. If his, at least wished for, agreement was confirmed by Sanctuary, despite Morrissey's demurral from the start, then they're well out of order for not engaging in some conflict resolution by way of telling the truth.

                        Or is that even more outlandish wishful thinking again, considering the kinds of dirty dealings engaged in by record companies that have been long suppressed in the past? Still, word gets round affecting reputations in the end... though of course it is the end, isn't it for Sanctuary if they're being taken over? Morrissey's been heard though and publicly noted which is an achievement in itself, and, having comprehended the conditions under which he 'couldn't last', he's probably always aware of being 'shipwrecked yet still docked', ready to jump and start again. I find that epic and inspiring, that he can read reality so closely, dissemble the lying red tape without a flutter, and make fresh decisions that he can live with.

                        Cool!
                        goinghome -- Tuesday June 14 2005, @11:21AM (#166940)
                        (User #12673 Info)
                        [ Parent ]
                        • Re:conflicting statements by suzanne (Score:1) Tuesday June 14 2005, @11:34AM
                          • Re:conflicting statements by Anonymous (Score:1) Tuesday June 14 2005, @11:49AM
                            • Re:conflicting statements by goinghome (Score:1) Tuesday June 14 2005, @02:26PM
                              • Re:conflicting statements by Anonymous (Score:0) Tuesday June 14 2005, @02:30PM
                                • Re:conflicting statements by goinghome (Score:1) Wednesday June 15 2005, @02:38PM
                        • Re:conflicting statements by M-in-Oz (Score:1) Wednesday June 15 2005, @01:03PM
                          Giddings has got nothing... (Score:1, Interesting)
                          nothing to say that Morrissey did indeed confirm he was going to perform at IOW. that interview says what has already been said: they approached Morrissey, who declined; they then signed Roxy Music in the hopes this would be enough to persuade Morrissey and Sanctuary confirmed- not Morrissey.

                          Morrissey still could hav saved a lot of people a lot of trouble by coming out a lot earlier and refuting Sanctuary's confirmation at the beginning, and indeed he should hav done this, but the fact remains that he has been truthful in saying he never did confirm.

                          if Solo actually did hav any proof of Morrissey saying he would play, and theyve gone as far as issuing statements like these, they would hav provided some of this proof already. they havnt, which means they dont.
                          chrisarclark <clarkinatorclark@hotmail.com> -- Monday June 13 2005, @10:49AM (#166756)
                          (User #9259 Info)
                          "I'm just passing through here on my way to somewhere civilized and maybe I'll even arrive, maybe I'll even arrive..."
                          love all? (Score:1)
                          Poor Giddings got caught in the net and has bile in his system to drain, but there's nothing new here, and I preferred his 'no cup of tea ever again' response!

                          Now will Moz serve anything back, as he says, 'with my innocent hand on my heart'?!

                          Or is it nearly whistle-time for this game, as players are spotlighted and bluffs called enough?
                          goinghome -- Monday June 13 2005, @11:23AM (#166762)
                          (User #12673 Info)
                            Dates? (Score:3, Interesting)
                            When was Morrissey announced? I thought it was in March.

                            But it's now said he didn't say yes until 8 weeks before?

                            Isn't that an admission they announced him without his permission?
                            Anonymous -- Monday June 13 2005, @11:42AM (#166767)
                            • Re:Dates? by Anonymous (Score:0) Monday June 13 2005, @06:16PM
                              Point to consider (Score:3, Interesting)
                              Morrissey was very quick to issue a cease and desist letter to David Tseng when rumors of non-payment of his crew were mentioned in comments on this site a few years ago.

                              Now, if I was Morrissey and my record company had wrongfully promised that I would be appearing at a festival WITHOUT my consent AND allegations began appearing in very visible media outlets--NOT a fan-based website--that stained my character, I would be taking legal action. If such a thing had happened, we would have heard about it by now.

                              At the least, these kind of allegations can't be taken back once broadcast. In much the same way that "Morrissey is a racist" became the "truth" to people who didn't read beyond the initial story in the NME, many people--and maybe some in positions to offer him a record contract or book deal--will forevermore question his integrity. It may not be a "black and white" issue--but some will see it as such no matter what.

                              Cheers,

                              Jamie
                              Jamie <northpaw22@netzero.net> -- Monday June 13 2005, @11:43AM (#166768)
                              (User #48 Info)
                              Roxy Music (Score:1, Insightful)
                              I don't believe that Morrissey would change his mind for this band in it's current incarnation.

                              Yes, he may have admired them once, but he's made enough comments over the years that suggest he's not impressed with them in recent years.

                              Giddings should have done a bit more research. He's talking crap. Sanctuary have had him over a barrel.
                              Anonymous -- Monday June 13 2005, @11:45AM (#166769)
                              sad that morrissey is taking all the blame (Score:0)
                              when as far as he has told us, it was the record company's fault.

                              Looks like he'll be finding a new label in the near future.

                              Strange, given he was raving about Sanctuary a few months ago. Now he hates them, and will have a nother brief fling with another label, who will probably fail to understand him, fail to understand his unique place in the "market," and fail to market him properly.

                              It could be a return to Southpaw Grammar-style obscurity.

                              broken
                              Anonymous -- Monday June 13 2005, @12:02PM (#166770)
                              All those lies, written lies, twisted lies.... (Score:0)
                              Moz you liar! If this is the case, why did you not pull out of the festival as soon as it was advertised/announced that you were playing!
                              Anonymous -- Monday June 13 2005, @12:24PM (#166771)
                              "...Sanctuary confirmed he would appear" (Score:1)
                              There it is, right there. Unless Sanctuary showed Giddings papers with Morrissey's scrawl on them or there was a direct verbal agreement by Morrissey to the festival organizers - dey got nuthin'.

                              I can imagine them dangling the Roxy Music carrot in front of Morrissey and his eyes flashing for a moment with visions of '72/'73 and then saying "Are they still any good?"

                              Why didn't he let everyone know earlier? Just like so many things about Morrissey -- it's an answer we'll probably never have...

                              king leer * -- Monday June 13 2005, @07:12PM (#166813)
                              (User #80 Info)
                                yeeesshhh (Score:1)
                                if I was a super moderator, I would mark this whole topic redundant.

                                all this tit for tating back and forth is making my head spin. let's go to bed.
                                NewGypsy -- Monday June 13 2005, @10:20PM (#166817)
                                (User #10014 Info)
                                i know I keep you amused, but I feel I'm being used
                                  Travis' homage to Morrissey (Score:1)
                                  As the last minute replacement to headline IOW on Saturday night Travis did a very favourable cover of 'Everyday is Like Sunday' much to the delight of the many Moz fans present....
                                  Byzantine Tu-Tu -- Monday June 13 2005, @11:51PM (#166821)
                                  (User #13901 Info)
                                    Blame, blame, fateful blame... (Score:2, Insightful)
                                    If Giddings knew Moz well, he would surely know that he could never 'definitely' persuade Morrissey to do or play anything.

                                    Sounds to me like a 3 way cock up. I apportion blame in these crude percentages:

                                    40% SANCTUARY - Sanctuary confirmed to Giddings that Moz would appear 8 weeks before the event. Well Sanctuary sent me an e-mail from Morrisseymusic.com on 18th March to say Moz was headlining and I bought a ticket, clearly with false expectations!? At most they only had verbal potential interest from Moz, but surely nothing more?

                                    40% GIDDINGS - Why was he promoting Moz as the headline act before Sanctuary confirmed to him? I think he only ever got a Sanctuary signature and never one from Moz. He is a victim of his own hype.

                                    10% MOZ - should have either forced Sanctuary to tell fans he wasn't appearing or done so directly himself far sooner.
                                    Auric Goldfinger -- Tuesday June 14 2005, @01:13AM (#166826)
                                    (User #3416 Info)
                                    Do my eyes deceive me, or is Senna's Lotus sounding rough?
                                    what a load of bollocks (Score:0)
                                    boring shite ,who cares anyway?
                                    Anonymous -- Tuesday June 14 2005, @04:04AM (#166837)
                                    Well... (Score:0)
                                    At least this is the Morrissey we know... the same charming suicide kamikaze, as always.
                                    Anonymous -- Tuesday June 14 2005, @08:02AM (#166868)
                                      why Morrissey no sue? (Score:1)
                                      It would seem Morrissey has a very good case to sue several people/organisations. I wonder why he hasn't threatened such action. Perhaps it's got something to do with his previous!

                                      and2rew -- Tuesday June 14 2005, @10:04AM (#166911)
                                      (User #8232 Info)
                                      IOW; get real!!! (Score:1, Interesting)
                                      Sanctuary issues statements on behalf of Morrissey, organisers don't usually get in touch with artists directly. Most of the time bands/artists are represented by their managers that is exactly what they are paid for, and agreement are issued by the Record company/Manager on behalf of the artist do you really think the IOW organisers are going to call morrissey in L.A and leave a message on his answering machine "oh could you please play this summer?" just get real people!!!!
                                      Anonymous -- Tuesday June 14 2005, @12:12PM (#166958)
                                      Morrissey KNEW (Score:0)
                                      Well all I can think of is OF COURSE Morrissey knew what was going on. But he is one of those (only True) artists left on the planet who likes to be unpredictable, difficult, mysterious, distant. This is Very Morrissey. He doesn't really give a fuck how many copies "Quarry" has sold or what his promotional duties are - because he doesn't have to! Like the promoter of IOW said: He always shoots himself on the foot. And Morrissey does this deliberately. He just simply doesnt want to do every single festival, interview or a TV appearance because if he did, he would be like everyone else.
                                      There will NEVER be an autobiography (at least when he is alive)and I doubt very much whether there will be any more tours. And album, yes maybe, but nothing like we saw last year.
                                      Agree?
                                      Anonymous -- Wednesday June 15 2005, @10:31AM (#167165)
                                      Bloody IOW (Score:1)
                                      For anyone remotely familiar with how the record industry operates; this whole bloody ordeal is not atypical of just how it goes. Please consider that it is NOT Morrissey's obligation to set the record straight, and is however a responsibility, one can safely surmise of Sanctuary. Morrissey has been more than generous in releasing any comment at all. And now, can we focus on jucier bits of the statement, such as this new material in the can ready for issue? Am I the only one chomping at the bit? Cheers and Kudos to you, once again old boy for truly being Daddy's Voice in all capacities!
                                      mystical timezoner <{rosemusic} {at} {yahoo.com}> -- Wednesday June 15 2005, @02:27PM (#167201)
                                      (User #14329 Info | http://yahoo.com/ )
                                        It is simple really.... (Score:1)
                                        Morrissey should have played PERIOD. This is not about his integrity... It is about his pride ;o)

                                        Throw a bone to your fans while you still have some.

                                        -j
                                        jools -- Wednesday June 15 2005, @02:52PM (#167205)
                                        (User #13476 Info)
                                        let morrissey just do whatever he wants (Score:0)
                                        it has worked out well for him and all of us so far hasn't it?
                                        Anonymous -- Wednesday June 15 2005, @09:41PM (#167271)
                                        travis singer is a wanker!!!!!!!!!!! (Score:0)
                                        what he did was faking a phone call between him and moz in which moz asked him to replace him because he had broken one of his fingernails.

                                        standing in the crowd, all upset, i would have preferred a good punch in the face. and then the sond. the nerve of him! travis records all destroyed by now!
                                        Anonymous -- Thursday June 16 2005, @02:08AM (#167285)
                                        Just as I suspected (Score:1)
                                        "John Giddings, managing director of Clear Channel-owned Solo, retaliated against the singer who cancelled a headline slot at this weekend's event saying that "As far as we were concerned, Morrissey definitely said yes to the event."

                                        I posted the testimony of Don Henley to Congress in an earlier thread about this. Henley testified specificially about Clear Channel's strong arm tactics with artists - to participate in their venues. Those who doesn't cowtow to Clear Channel's demands finds their music is banned from the Clear Channel playlists.

                                        It's obvious what's going on here and three toots to Moz for not prostituting himself, his band or his music!
                                        PerfectlyWretched -- Thursday June 16 2005, @06:10AM (#167307)
                                        (User #9140 Info)


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