Richard Blade (Sirius XM radio) talks about promoting Morrissey; writes open letter / email

Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Morrissey only seems to spend time with people on his payroll or fans (Julia, Russell Brand). They are all going to continuously tell him "yes". Richard Blade is risking being banished for his statement, but he's right.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

It only hurts because it's true, or so someone once sang.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Some guy on a radio show doesn't approve of Morrissey's career choices? Oh, well f***ing hell.

Morrissey has been doing this for roughly 30 years. Do you really think he's going to change? People do not change. Get over it. It's a record deal gone bad. It isn't the end of Morrissey's world. All you have control over is how you hear his music coming out of the speakers and on stage. The rest has sweet f*** all to do with us. Close your eyes and try to imagine just how meaningless these rants about how he operates are to him. Does that put it in perspective for you? You're just howling at the moon.

What the hell do you want to be his guidance counsellor for? Life is too f***ing short...
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Some guy on a radio show doesn't approve of Morrissey's career choices? Oh, well f***ing hell.

Morrissey has been doing this for roughly 30 years. Do you really think he's going to change? People do not change. Get over it. It's a record deal gone bad. It isn't the end of Morrissey's world. All you have control over is how you hear his music coming out of the speakers and on stage. The rest has sweet f*** all to do with us. Close your eyes and try to imagine just how meaningless these rants about how he operates are to him. Does that put it in perspective for you? You're just howling at the moon.

What the hell do you want to be his guidance counsellor for? Life is too f***ing short...

Sorry, but you're a perfect example of what's wrong.
"Yes! Yes! YES! Everything you say is perfect, Morrissey! Everything you do is beyond question, Morrissey Sir!!! Anyone who does so is not worth you time! Can I clean your shoes please Sir? Not that there's any dirt on your perfect shoes or nuffink! I just want to clean them! O please say I can!!!!"

It's not healthy for him to be surrounded by people who praise him in suppository form.
If you really cared about him, you would see that.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Some guy on a radio show doesn't approve of Morrissey's career choices? Oh, well f***ing hell.

Morrissey has been doing this for roughly 30 years. Do you really think he's going to change? People do not change. Get over it. It's a record deal gone bad. It isn't the end of Morrissey's world. All you have control over is how you hear his music coming out of the speakers and on stage. The rest has sweet f*** all to do with us. Close your eyes and try to imagine just how meaningless these rants about how he operates are to him. Does that put it in perspective for you? You're just howling at the moon.

What the hell do you want to be his guidance counsellor for? Life is too f***ing short...

Your unquestioning-but-anonymous zealotry is at least as meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Fact is most all of us, like them or loathe them, buy the albums and tickets to concerts and that's the bottom line. Anyone's conflicting opinions here are irrelevant.

Both Blade's and Detritus's opinions were even-handed and calmly toned. As for people not changing in 30 years, well...believe what you will. Howl away - in fact, I know you will.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

I respect Richard Blade and used to listen to him on KROQ. I'm glad he's still doing what he does, on satellite radio or whatever. And while I think his remarks are made out of genuine concern and interest, you have to consider the individual for whom the words are intended to have affect.

We all know what Morrissey is like. We also know that if he wasn't like that, he wouldn't produce the art that he does. All debate regarding the recent quality of his work aside, do we really want to change him into a business man that makes only rational, respected business arrangements?

There is a divide, a great one, between what one does as an artist and what goes into the calculations on the business front. Not to say he doesn't have a knack for some of that either, at points, in his own peculiar way. But I basically disagree with "Some people need an intervention and I feel that at this point in his career it would serve Morrissey and all of us fans of his if he were to get that much needed direction sooner rather than later".

The operative word being career. A business term. I think Morrissey should just continue the philosophy of burning down each record deal and making new homes for new albums. If that's what makes it work for him, being an artist. Of course there is going to be drama. And it will seem self-conflicted when he bites the hand that feeds. But his body of work isn't really one of promoting establishmentism, is it?

Should Morrissey have an intervention and play nice with the record label boss? I don't think so. And in the modern world of social-media-instant-opinions on everyone's business, I think it is even more refreshing that he does not. It's his gift. He's probably been kicking against the pricks since the day he was born. Why stop now? (besides the obvious answers that so many overly-interested morrissey-solo 'fans' have umpteen quips for).
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Some guy on a radio show doesn't approve of Morrissey's career choices? Oh, well f***ing hell.

Morrissey has been doing this for roughly 30 years. Do you really think he's going to change? People do not change. Get over it. It's a record deal gone bad. It isn't the end of Morrissey's world. All you have control over is how you hear his music coming out of the speakers and on stage. The rest has sweet f*** all to do with us. Close your eyes and try to imagine just how meaningless these rants about how he operates are to him. Does that put it in perspective for you? You're just howling at the moon.

What the hell do you want to be his guidance counsellor for? Life is too f***ing short...
It's not just one record deal gone bad, it's every record deal gone bad. Morrissey's relationship with every label he's ever signed with---from the beginning with Rough Trade--has ultimately crashed and burned, and anyone with a shred of objectivity would surmise that this is neither coincidence nor entirely the label's fault every single time. The one constant is Morrissey, which raises suspicion. I think Blade was speaking to this general trend, and not the Harvest fallout specifically.

You're right that it's unlikely Morrissey will change. However, I don't think it's such an egregious transgression for frustrated fans to despair over his repeated self-sabotage, especially those of us who want to see Morrissey's continued success doing what he loves. It may be an exercise in futility, but as Jamie points out, it isn't any less constructive than passive acceptance of everything he does.

It also isn't assuming the role of Morrisseys "guidance counsellor," which is something I don't aim to be and never claimed I did. Posting an opinion here is not a bid to be hired as Morrissey's personal advisor. No one is arguing that he needs someone to hold his hand and dictate what he should do every step of the way. I think we all recognize that he's a grown man with a right to exercise self-determination. But that doesn't mean that as fans we should happily accept everything he does without question. This is a discussion forum on a Morrissey fansite, which means that when Morrissey makes career choices that appear to be counterintuitive, or if he seems to have reached a place of creative or professional stagnation, they can come here and discuss it. Yes, there is plenty of other fodder for positive discussion at the moment, but that shouldn't preclude criticism.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Yes, there is plenty of other fodder for positive discussion at the moment, but that shouldn't preclude criticism.

Looking at it in the abstract, his 'career' does make for an interesting journey and experience for us to follow and speculate on. Does it not? I'm at least glad its not boring. And I always appreciate when participants, like yourself, offer an interesting discussion without resorting to world war 3.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

We all know what Morrissey is like. We also know that if he wasn't like that, he wouldn't produce the art that he does. All debate regarding the recent quality of his work aside, do we really want to change him into a business man that makes only rational, respected business arrangements?

[....]

The operative word being career. A business term. I think Morrissey should just continue the philosophy of burning down each record deal and making new homes for new albums. If that's what makes it work for him, being an artist. Of course there is going to be drama. And it will seem self-conflicted when he bites the hand that feeds. But his body of work isn't really one of promoting establishmentism, is it?
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I agree with the emboldened point, and expressed a similar sentiment in the OP. However...

Making a few more "rational, respected business arrangements" and kowtowing to the establishment aren't one in the same, and doing so would not compromise Morrissey's ideals or reputation as an anti-establishment iconoclast. It also doesn't really seem like burning bridges is working for him as an artist, at least on a personal level. To wit, Morrissey's attempts to flourish on a major label have been met with varying degrees of success over the years, and when it doesn't work out, it really vexes him. Morrissey's fixation on major labels and his inevitable complaining once his relationships with said labels deteriorate seems to indicate that he wants to thrive in a commercial, "establishment" environment. My point is that if this is truly the case, as it seems to be, then he's going to have to learn to compromise---and if he hasn't learned that by now, I doubt he ever will (on that point we agree, Marred). The alternatives (independent labels, self-publishing) would yield more possibilities and creative freedom for him, but sadly he doesn't seem interested, and therein lies the crux of his predicament.

EDIT:

Looking at it in the abstract, his 'career' does make for an interesting journey and experience for us to follow and speculate on. Does it not? I'm at least glad its not boring. And I always appreciate when participants, like yourself, offer an interesting discussion without resorting to world war 3.
Thank you, and absolutely. Why shouldn't we discuss it? That's why this forum exists, after all.
 
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Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Making a few more "rational, respected business arrangements" and kowtowing to the establishment aren't one in the same, and doing so would not compromise Morrissey's ideals or reputation as an anti-establishment iconoclast. It also doesn't really seem like burning bridges is working for him as an artist, at least on a personal level. To wit, Morrissey's attempts to flourish on a major label have been met with varying degrees of success over the years, and when it doesn't work out, it really vexes him. Morrissey's fixation on major labels and his inevitable complaining once his relationships with said labels deteriorate seems to indicate that he wants to thrive in a commercial, "establishment" environment. My point is that if this is truly the case, as it seems to be, then he's going to have to learn to compromise---and if he hasn't learned that by now, I doubt he ever will (on that point we agree, Marred). The alternatives (independent labels, self-publishing) would yield more possibilities and creative freedom for him, but sadly he doesn't seem interested, and therein lies the crux of his predicament.

I agree, it is a fascinating dynamic. I concede your point that he could stand to gain from brushing up on his business tactics. The speculator in me would concern that if he caved even one iota in the difficult ways of Morrissey, that the spell would be broken. And I wouldn't risk that.

He's a person of great self-conflict, I think. Which has given him his genius. Blinded as we are to these things within ourselves sometimes. Not always good to have a yes-man by your side. I think the greater world at large still provides the necessary conflict, however. But anyone could become in danger of too much self-assurance and delusion. Especially at his level of legacy and fame. Which probably goes back to Blade's point.

I like the idea of Morrissey forming his own label. I think it would take a one-in-a-million person to facilitate that for him. Unfortunately, I think it is possible that within his current, and possibly ever foreseeable paradigm, the label as an inevitable antagonist must exist. Were the label to be an in-house affair, it could, again, break the paradox.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

I don't know who Richard Blade is but if Morrissey was a perfect human being of perfection he wouldn't have been able to make all of those brilliant records. You take the rough with the smooth to dial a cliche.

When other people have their heads on the line and have to fund paying the band, the taxman, etc, then they're allowed an equal say. Until that day comes Moz is the boss and what he says goes, that's life. If people don't like it they can f*** off and that goes more for the moaning pisswits that fill this site up than anyone.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

I don't know who Richard Blade is..

He's kind of like the American equivalent to John Peel for Morrissey's beginning Solo days. He was a big supporter in getting the airplay and attention out and probably most responsible for the live at KROQ recordings in LA.

tumblr_n10psuOmgk1rdz9oao1_1280.jpg

With that history, I suppose, it gives him more right to an opinion than anyone here, regardless of however unaccepted the message may be. He still hosts Smiths/Morrissey conventions annually.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Moz caught in another lie, hoisted by his own petard. Richard Blade offered to promote the new album, to his 26 million listeners, and Moz refused. How much more Moz dishonesty are people going to tolerate before they see the light and at least have a fair and balanced approach toward this subject? Moz is a liar, he is self destructive and he does not give a whit about his fans who pay for travel and accommodations to shows he cancels. He would rather falsely blame Kristeen Young for giving him germs than admit its been a pattern with him for a long time. He is a baby, a diva. I was personally at one show where he was not pleased with audience participation and let us know and then walked off the stage after only 7 songs and never came back out. The crowed booed and protested and were finally told that he would reschedule, and he did. Fans were given the choice to get their money back or attend the rescheduled show. I went to the rescheduled show and all he did was complain about the people who opted to get their money back. He has to stop this nonsense, it is not amusing or entertaining. When I buy a ticket, I pay him to entertain me, not listen to him complain. Enough is enough with him. Really.

https://www.facebook.com/richardbladepage

Richard Blade Official Page shared a link.
19 hours ago
Sus Lew posted this link on my other page http://true-to-you.net/morrissey_news_140820_01 Thanks so much for the link - and I suggest everyone read it as it appears to be Morrissey's own words. HOWEVER what Moz doesn't say is how hard he worked NOT to promote the album. We tried so hard to have him on Sirius XM doing whatever he wanted - a two hour interview, a live concert an in-studio performance, just name it. 26 million listeners. They were going to fly me out to New York to host it so Moz would feel safe. But he wouldn't do it. And did he appear on other terrestrial stations that play his music - Live 105, 91X and of course, KROQ? Answer - no. And did he do local stations when he was on tour before the sad cancellation? No. If he had made the effort to get the word out perhaps the label would have been a lot more forthcoming with their promotion. But if an artist won't take the time to promote their own album then what can a record label do? THAT is the question that Morrissey needs to address - "Why did you not work to promote your own record?". None of the rest of us expects things to just handed to us, we all have to work for it whether you're Ryan Seacrest or a Barista at Starbucks. It's a new era, everything has changed. Step up Moz, put on your big boy britches and kick some ass. You are good enough to do it. Don't let it all just fall away and then blame others. You are as responsible as they are for your career.

Richard has renewed the offer:

Richard Blade Official Page
17 hours ago
OK - I just sent Morrissey this e mail. Fingers crossed!!

Moz, you say you have had so many problems promoting "World Peace" - well here is an open invitation to come onto Sirius XM radio and talk about, perform or whatever you would like to do for our 26 million + listeners across the USA and Canada. You know me and you know that it would be a great interview as I have been with you since 1983 and the KROQ and Howie Klein years through to today. If you would like to limit it to just an interview then that's good. If you would like to perform a few songs as well then let's do it. If you would like to do a full concert at the studios in front of a live audience then absolutely. You can determine the format and length - no restrictions. I hope you will give this your full consideration. You deserve to be heard on a national platform. I always tell my listeners that of all the thousands of interviews I've done over the years that your's was by far the best. "With Morrissey," I always say "you have to bring your 'A' game. The guy is quick, funny and intelligent, and if you don't keep up with him it's over." I would love the listeners to hear your side of the story, your experience with the 'business' side of the music biz and what you've been through over the past decade. You are beloved by millions and they in turn would be thrilled to hear the words coming directly from you. I hope to hear from you soon. Respectfully, Richard Blade.
Morrissey Official
Boz Boorer
Howie Klein
 
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Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

I don't know who Richard Blade is but if Morrissey was a perfect human being of perfection he wouldn't have been able to make all of those brilliant records. You take the rough with the smooth to dial a cliche.

When other people have their heads on the line and have to fund paying the band, the taxman, etc, then they're allowed an equal say. Until that day comes Moz is the boss and what he says goes, that's life. If people don't like it they can f*** off and that goes more for the moaning pisswits that fill this site up than anyone.

Well, aren't you a pleasant one. Blade has been very instrumental in Moz's solo career. The "moaning pisswits" may very well "f*** off" and stop paying attention to Moz and his antics and stop supporting his albums and shows. It would be what he deserves. You Morrissey Apologists are part of the problem. Always giving him a pass on his bad behavior. No one expects perfection from Moz, just decency. He's now been caught in another lie.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Regardless of whether or not Morrissey was being totally forthcoming when he said he hadn't received any invitations, I'm not sure that Blade's attempt at publicly shaming Morrissey is the right strategy. I suspect he's just found himself on the NO list, which is fine, of course, assuming Blade is being sincere here.

Morrissey's a grown man, and he's quite capable of making his own way—including weathering his own personal failures. I don't feel like I've ever been cheated by him, but if I did, I'd walk away. He owes me nothing.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Regardless of whether or not Morrissey was being totally forthcoming when he said he hadn't received any invitations, I'm not sure that Blade's attempt at publicly shaming Morrissey is the right strategy. I suspect he's just found himself on the NO list, which is fine, of course, assuming Blade is being sincere here.

Morrissey's a grown man, and he's quite capable of making his own way—including weathering his own personal failures. I don't feel like I've ever been cheated by him, but if I did, I'd walk away. He owes me nothing.
Blade is not publicly shaming Morrissey. I've dealt with Richard Blade before when working for other bands and he is not like that at all.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

Blade is not publicly shaming Morrissey. I've dealt with Richard Blade before when working for other bands and he is not like that at all.

I don't know anything about him at all (probably because I'm from the East Coast), I'm just not used to people doing this kind of thing publicly. I always cringe when I see people post "open letters" on the internet, etc. I don't understand why Blade posted the email on his Facebook page instead of just sending it. I suppose that's Morrissey's style as well, though, isn't it?
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

I don't know anything about him at all (probably because I'm from the East Coast), I'm just not used to people doing this kind of thing publicly. I always cringe when I see people post "open letters" on the internet, etc. I don't understand why Blade posted the email on his Facebook page instead of just sending it. I suppose that's Morrissey's style as well, though, isn't it?
I'm on the East Coast too. I know a lot of people who listen to Blade's radio show and I also know people who know him (and as mentioned, I had business dealings with him). I think he genuinely cares for Moz and is giving him a bit of tough love and a reality check. I think Moz needs that right now, he seems to be going off the rails. I hope Richard can get thru to him, he will try to help him.

Here's a bit about Richard:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Blade
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

It's not just one record deal gone bad, it's every record deal gone bad. Morrissey's relationship with every label he's ever signed with---from the beginning with Rough Trade--has ultimately crashed and burned, and anyone with a shred of objectivity would surmise that this is neither coincidence nor entirely the label's fault every single time. The one constant is Morrissey, which raises suspicion. I think Blade was speaking to this general trend, and not the Harvest fallout specifically.

You're right that it's unlikely Morrissey will change. However, I don't think it's such an egregious transgression for frustrated fans to despair over his repeated self-sabotage, especially those of us who want to see Morrissey's continued success doing what he loves. It may be an exercise in futility, but as Jamie points out, it isn't any less constructive than passive acceptance of everything he does.

It also isn't assuming the role of Morrisseys "guidance counsellor," which is something I don't aim to be and never claimed I did. Posting an opinion here is not a bid to be hired as Morrissey's personal advisor. No one is arguing that he needs someone to hold his hand and dictate what he should do every step of the way. I think we all recognize that he's a grown man with a right to exercise self-determination. But that doesn't mean that as fans we should happily accept everything he does without question. This is a discussion forum on a Morrissey fansite, which means that when Morrissey makes career choices that appear to be counterintuitive, or if he seems to have reached a place of creative or professional stagnation, they can come here and discuss it. Yes, there is plenty of other fodder for positive discussion at the moment, but that shouldn't preclude criticism.

This - many, many times. Thanks to both you and wastelandofyourhead for elevating the dialogue.

I don't take Richard Blade's comments as a shaming. If anything, he wants to help Morrissey. He is the closest thing to an American Janice Long that Morrissey has ever had and clearly wants good things for the new album.

By the way, wastelandofyourhead: your avatar tickles me no end.
 
Re: Richard Blade on Moz: "He is too great an artist to allow his talents to be squandered in pettin

I'm on the East Coast too. I know a lot of people who listen to Blade's radio show and I also know people who know him (and as mentioned, I had business dealings with him). I think he genuinely cares for Moz and is giving him a bit of tough love and a reality check. I think Moz needs that right now, he seems to be going off the rails. I hope Richard can get thru to him, he will try to help him.

That's good to hear, then. I hope this course of action somehow makes a positive difference.

(And I really had no idea Blade was ever broadcast on the East Coast—I've always just associated him with Moz's KROQ session and CA. That's neither here nor there, though!)
 

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