Tonights show in Pittsburgh has been postponed. Morrissey has been suffering from back spasms and migrane for the last few days. This has caused him so much pain today that he has regretfully decided that he is unable to perform.

More news will be posted here as it becomes available.

John Wynne. Production Manager. Morrissey.

At 6:30pm an announcement was made that the show would be cancelled because Morrissey was suffering from back spasms. We were told the show may be rescheduled and to call Ticketmaster for more information.

From Fri, February 11, 2000 Pittsburgh Post Gazette:

"Keeping up with the Smith"

The last time Morrissey reared his head in Pittsburgh, back in the early 90's he never actually made it to the stage. The crowd walking up to the I.C. Light Amphitheatre was greeted with news that the show was canceled (causing mild Panic on the streets of Pittsburgh). The stories ranged from the petulant Morrissey not liking the venue to the stage not being safe because of a sudden rain storm.

Now, the gloomy icon who fronted the late, great Smiths is coming back and the reaction has been so strong that Thursday's show had to be moved from Metropol to the Palumbo Center.

But what can fans of "The Moz" expect? According to a review last week in the Seattle Times, the 40-year-old pop star, who hasn't released new material since 1997, didn't rise to his occasion. Mark Rahner writes that a "bored-looking Morrissey...was apparently hot, tired, uncharismatic." Worst yet, "the Mope-meister was too bored to be bothered with a few of the songs that built his fan base in the first place."

The Times review drew a mixed reaction from fans on a Morrissey fan Web site (www.morrissey-solo.com):

* "The reporter is right, he looks bored!"

* "This writer is an idiot...For those of you who are seeing him for the first time and are worried, don't be. He still puts on a great show even though he throws a few b-sides. Unpredictability is good."

* "Morrissey is proving that a dead hero is a good hero."

* The Smiths are dead!...Where have you been Mr. Seattle sad excuse of a loser reviewer? Just cos he's not playing songs YOU'RE not familiar with, doesn't mean you have to act so pissy."

If you are game, tickets are $25.

Back in the land of Moz

By KIERAN GRANT -- Toronto Sun

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MORRISSEY
Hamilton Place, Hamilton-Ontario
Wednesday, February 16, 2000
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HAMILTON -- "Call me morbid, call me pale."

Those were Morrissey's own lyrical instructions at Hamilton Place last night during his rendition of Half A Person, a favourite tune from his former group The Smiths.

And yes, the British singer's image as a self-deprecating, self-absorbed and terminally unloved spokesperson for sexually repressed bookworms of the world was indeed intact.

But that was just half the story for the British singer's much-anticipated -- by his southern Ontario chapter of cult admirers, anyway -- return.

Because if maudlin Moz is still morbid, pale and unlovable, he's also a sassy showman, a coy crooner who's got audience manipulation down to a science.

That's not to say there wasn't a hint of self-parody in last night's performance.

With the almost holy pop legacy of The Smiths -- the most original and enduring outfit '80s Britain had to offer -- and a solo career that has varied wildly in quality, the 40-year-old Steven Patrick Morrissey drew a seasoned collection of twenty- to thirtysomething supporters who knew all the moves: Always stylish and clean-cut, many still dress like him; bouquets are still proferred at stage front; fans still clamber on stage and reach for the Mozzer before being spirited away, rather violently, by security.

He was game to play along, of course, and while the unexpected presence of some trash-talkers down front clearly bemused him, he spent most of the show fishing the crowd for handshakes and the odd shirt-tail tug.

(That said, there was a weird twist before his set when, as duffle-coated Mozniks made their way past the "No Moshing" signs staff had posted at the entrances, a very obvious punch-up broke out between two young, female fans.)

What's most odd about Morrissey is how choppy his live sets can still be. Even with much of the set list dating back at least 10 or 12 years, there were times his band seemed on the verge of collapse.

Chalk it up to stamina or interest, but after a strong, bright opening that included the songs A Swallow On My Neck, Ouija Board, Ouija Board, Is It Really So Strange? and November Spawned A Monster, the quintet switched to autopilot.

They apologized for the sloppy middle section with favourites Alma Matters, Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me, Shoplifters Of The World Unite and a melodramatic reading of The Smiths' classic Meat Is Murder -- the song that launchd a thousand vegetarians. But at a mere 70 minutes in length, the show didn't need a trim as much as a new selection of tunes

With a new album supposedly in the works but no record deal to speak of, this may have been the best chance Toronto fans had to see Morrissey for a while.

Considering the dismal episode at Massey Hall two years back, where the singer was mistaken for a fan by security and ejected through a stage door during his encore, it was undoubtedly a better night for all involved

A quick huzzah for whoever decided to put Toronto's Hawksley Workman in last night's opening slot.

The quirk-witted singer won over Morrissey's characteristically open-minded crowd, and even may have even showed the headliner a thing or two about a fresh sound.

I came across photos from a fashion show by designer Wynn Smith. His line is called "wink" and, for fall, his inspiration was American Gothic and The Smiths. Tee shirts and other items of clothing were printed with lines such as "Bigmouth Strikes Again".

Here is a link to the page.

Johnny Marr news, A new series of Q+A is now up! This is the first part of the February Q+A so check the site for even more answers in the very near future! We also have a special request for all you people posting questions: please do read the previous questions and answers on the site before sending new questions, questions that have been answered before won't be answered again and it sure saves us and Johnny a lot of time!

The Smiths/Morrissey Fest Toronto will be happening March 25 2000

cover $4 before 11pm $6 thereafter

There will be a Morrissey look-alike contest with prizes. This will be a great fan night with over 400 people in attendance.

visit www.djlazarus.com for location and more info